Where your tools run
Whether your file leaves your computer depends on your connection mode.
Local Only#
- Every tool runs on your computer. Nothing is uploaded.
- Tools the built-in engine can't run show a cloud badge. Running one asks you to sign in to Stirling Cloud or connect to a server.
Stirling Cloud#
- Tools run on your computer whenever the built-in engine can run them. The rest show a cloud badge and are sent to Stirling Cloud (Files and privacy).
- Running tools by hand doesn't use credits. AI, processing folders and pipelines always use Stirling Cloud and use credits (Plans, credits and billing).
Self-Hosted#
- Every tool runs on your server, even ones your computer could run.
- If the server can't be reached, a Your Stirling-PDF server is unreachable banner appears and tools the built-in engine supports run on your computer until it's back.
- Tools your server has turned off appear dimmed.
Tools that usually need Cloud or a server#
- OCR
- Converting Office documents, eBooks, HTML, web pages or email to PDF
- Converting PDF to Word, PowerPoint, RTF, HTML, Markdown, XML, PDF/A, EPUB or CBR
- Repair, Detect & Split Scanned Photos and Replace & Invert Color
- The Convert images to line art option in Compress
Features that need Cloud or a server#
- AI assistant - Stirling Cloud, or your server if its admin has set up AI (AI assistant).
- Classify - Stirling Cloud only.
- Processing folders and pipelines - see Processing folders.
- Processor - not in the desktop app. Use it in a web browser (Processor).
