Modes and Licensing
Stirling PDF runs in several modes depending on how you deploy it. This page is just an overview of what each mode is - for pricing, feature matrix, and full license terms see Paid Offerings.
At a glance
| Mode | What it is | Where files are processed | Credits? | License gate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Desktop - Local | Native Windows/Mac/Linux app, no sign-in | Your device | No | Free |
| Desktop + Stirling Cloud | Same desktop app, signed in to Stirling Cloud | Mix: local for basic tools, cloud for advanced | Yes, on cloud-routed ops | Cloud account |
| Desktop + Self-hosted server | Desktop app pointed at your own Stirling server | Your server | No | Whatever your server has |
| Web - Self-hosted | Docker / Kubernetes / JAR, accessed via browser | Your server | No | Free / Server / Enterprise |
| Stirling Cloud SaaS | stirling.com/app web app | Stirling Cloud | Yes | Cloud account / subscription |
Desktop - Local
The default for the Windows, Mac, and Linux desktop apps. No sign-in, no server, no credits. Basic PDF tools (merge, split, rotate, sign, watermark, page operations, etc.) run entirely on your device.
Tools that need server-side processing (OCR, document-format conversions, compression, repair) are not available in this mode - sign in to Stirling Cloud or connect to a self-hosted server to use them.
Desktop + Stirling Cloud
The desktop app signed in to your Stirling Cloud account. Basic tools still run locally for free; advanced tools route to Stirling Cloud and consume credits.
Desktop + Self-hosted server
The desktop app pointed at a Stirling PDF instance you run yourself. All tools route to your server and no credits apply. Whichever license tier your server runs (Free, Server, Enterprise) is what the desktop client gets.
Web - Self-hosted
Stirling PDF running in Docker, Kubernetes, or as a bare-metal JAR, accessed via a browser. No credits ever. License tier determines which advanced features (unlimited users, SSO, SAML, audit logs, etc.) are unlocked - see Paid Offerings.
Stirling Cloud SaaS
The hosted version at stirling.com/app. All processing happens in Stirling's cloud, and every operation costs credits. Free accounts include a monthly allowance; paid plans include more credits. See Paid Offerings for current pricing.
Commercial use
Commercial use is allowed on the free tier. A paid Server or Enterprise plan is recommended if you need:
- More than 5 users on a self-hosted deployment
- Official support (tickets, SLA, priority responses)
- SSO, SAML, audit logging, or other paid-tier features
See Paid Offerings for the full feature comparison or contact us if you're not sure which plan fits.
