Comparison

Smallpdf vs Stirling-PDF

On the evidence we track, Stirling-PDF leads this comparison with a composite score of 59/100. Scores are only directly comparable because these tools share a category; the full breakdown and every source is below.

Machine formatsMarkdownJSONGraphQLMarkdown is open. JSON and GraphQL need a free key.
Smallpdf44
★Stirling-PDF59
Score
vioscaleAI score
Smallpdf44 / 100medium · 74%
Stirling-PDF59 / 100medium · 67%
Pricing
Free tier
Smallpdf✓
Stirling-PDF✓
Model
Smallpdffreemium
Stirling-PDFfreemium
Price level
Smallpdflow
Stirling-PDFhigh
Starting price
Smallpdf–
Stirling-PDF$99
Transparent
Smallpdf✗
Stirling-PDF✓
Integrations
Count
Smallpdf3
Stirling-PDF4
Security
Certifications
SmallpdfISO 27001
Stirling-PDF–
Gdpr
Smallpdf✓
Stirling-PDF–
Iso27001
Smallpdf✓
Stirling-PDF–
Adoption
Dependent repos
Smallpdf–
Stirling-PDF0
Github stars
Smallpdf–
Stirling-PDF94,282
Activity
Commits last 30d
Smallpdf–
Stirling-PDF100
Release
Cadence days
Smallpdf–
Stirling-PDF6
History
Smallpdf–
Stirling-PDF20 items
Language
Primary
Smallpdf–
Stirling-PDFTypeScript
Content
Faq
Smallpdf7 items
Stirling-PDF4 items

Capabilities

Feature-by-feature on the axes that matter for pdf editors. “-” means undocumented, not absent.

Capabilities
Deployment model
SmallpdfCloud saas
Stirling-PDFCloud saas
Base text and image editing within PDF
Smallpdf✓
Stirling-PDF✓
Page merging extraction and splitting
Smallpdf✓
Stirling-PDF✓
OCR optical character recognition scanning
Smallpdf✓
Stirling-PDF✓
Permanent blackout redaction engine
Smallpdf✗
Stirling-PDF✓
Password protection and encryption
Smallpdf✓
Stirling-PDF-
Interactive form field creation
Smallpdf✗
Stirling-PDF✓
Digital signature certification enforcement
Smallpdf✓
Stirling-PDF✓
Microsoft office docx xlsx conversion
Smallpdf✓
Stirling-PDF✓
File size compression engine
Smallpdf✓
Stirling-PDF✓
SOC2 type ii
Smallpdf✗
Stirling-PDF-
ISO 27001
Smallpdf✓
Stirling-PDF-
Pricing model
SmallpdfFreemium
Stirling-PDFFreemium

What each one is

The product in its own terms, so the numbers below have context.

Smallpdf

Smallpdf is a cloud-based PDF service offering 48 tools for converting, editing, compressing, and managing PDF documents. It's available as web applications, browser extensions, desktop software for Windows and macOS, and mobile apps for iOS and Android, with integrations for Google Workspace and Dropbox.

Independently observed

Stirling-PDF

Leader

A comprehensive PDF platform offering 60+ tools for editing, signing, redacting, and converting documents. Available as desktop applications, a web interface, or self-hosted server with API access.

Independently observed

Pricing

List pricing as published by each vendor, with the date we read it. Always verify at the source before you buy.

Smallpdf

SubscriptionFree tier7-day trial

Freemium model with paid subscription tiers billed annually.

  • FreeFree
    • 30+ document management tools
    • Limited document downloads
    • Limited mobile app access
    • Limited Sign.com access
  • ProBilled annually
    • Unlimited access to 30+ tools
    • Unlimited document downloads
    • Edit Text, OCR, and more
    • Strong Compression
    • Unlimited AI-powered tools
    • +2 more
  • TeamPer-seat billed annually
    • Everything in Pro
    • Special discounted pricing
    • Priority customer support
    • Centralized billing
    • Member access management
    • +1 more
  • BusinessContact sales
    • Everything in Pro for Teams
    • Custom pricing
    • Flexible payment options
    • Dedicated customer support
as of verify ↗

Stirling-PDF

Leader
from $99/moHybridFree tier

Free for individuals. Team plan from $99/month for 100 users. Enterprise with custom pricing.

  • FreeFree
    • 60+ PDF tools
    • Web, desktop, and self-hosted options
    • Private and open-source
    • 1,000 monthly credits for automation
  • Team$99/month for 100 users
    • Everything in Free
    • Single sign-on (SSO)
    • Team workspace and invites
    • Add capacity in blocks of 100 users
    • One bill instead of per-seat licenses
    • +1 more
  • EnterpriseContact sales
    • Everything in Team
    • Air-gapped and self-hosted deployment
    • SCIM provisioning
    • Data residency and audit logs
    • Uptime SLAs
    • +1 more
as of verify ↗

Platform & deployment

Where each product runs and how it can be hosted. A dash means undocumented, not unsupported.

Platforms
Web
Smallpdf✓
Stirling-PDF✓
iOS
Smallpdf✓
Stirling-PDF✗
Android
Smallpdf✓
Stirling-PDF✗
macOS
Smallpdf✓
Stirling-PDF✓
Windows
Smallpdf✓
Stirling-PDF✓
Linux
Smallpdf✗
Stirling-PDF✓
CLI
Smallpdf✗
Stirling-PDF✓
Deployment
Cloud / SaaS
Smallpdf✓
Stirling-PDF✓
Self-hosted
Smallpdf✗
Stirling-PDF✓
Hybrid
Smallpdf✓
Stirling-PDF✗
Air-gapped
Smallpdf✗
Stirling-PDF✓

Integrations

What each product connects to. Counts come from the vendor's own integration directory where one exists.

Smallpdf

5 total
  • Google Drive
  • Dropbox
  • Google Chrome
  • Google Workspace
  • Sign.com
Independently observed

Stirling-PDF

Leader
4 total
  • SharePoint
  • S3
  • FTP
  • OAuth
Independently observed
Still deciding?

Smallpdf or Stirling-PDF: which one depends on you

A composite score cannot know your constraints. Describe them and both get re-weighted against what you actually need, with the evidence behind every position.

Free to run, no account needed to start. How the evaluation works

Comparison generated from independently-sourced facts. Every value links to its source and retrieval date. See the method.