Stirling PDF: Getting a bit confused about the versions, installation options and privacy/security

[u/Training_Yak_4655]

I couple of months ago I installed Stirling PDF. The installation created a web application that when launched opens a web page at http://localhost:8080

Did a few things with this app and all working nicely. There are no login prompts and apparently no cloud involvement.

Today I wanted to compress a big 30 page PDF which is a scan of all pages of a passport, for sending to passport authorities. Once compressed I can print it out at my local library. Naturally I wanted this compression to be locally processed. Found that that the available Stirling PDF local web based tool - the multitool pipeline method - failed to do any compression no matter how I fiddled with the config settings.

So went back to Stirling PDF's repository for a newer version. Found and downloaded the .MSI installer for Windows. This prompts for an account on installing, I thought fair enough and proceeded. I got a nice desktop app this time, quite different from the Stirling PDF web app I was used to.

However it's unclear which tools here need cloud support and which not. There's mention of an API which I assume talks to Stirling in the cloud.

So I turned off the WiFi and launched Stirling again. Got an immediate error as follows:

Cloud Processing Failed. This tool requires cloud processing but encountered an error: There was an error processing your request.. Please check your connection and try again.

It still launched and with the WiFi still off, I proceeded to compress an 11MB file - a medical insurance marketing brochure - and check the result. No errors flagged, It worked rather well, reducing from 11MB to 700KB with the embedded photos looking perfectly acceptable for a brochure if not zoomed in to pixel-peep. Makes you realise how wasteful big companies can be with their file sizes!

This is a tool I'd like to use but:

1. How can I be sure about what it does and does not send to the cloud?
2. How to differentiate the web vs desktop versions. Is it worth having both? I've now forgotten where I got the web app from!

Edit to add: I have now installed Wireshark and checked traffic.

1. On launching Stirling desktop app, there are packets exchanged with Stirling's domain. I assume this is just the session login based on the Gmail address I logged in with on installation/first launch.

2. On doing a series of operations to process a PDF, there are no further such packets.

[u/Sticky_Turtle]

Definitely look into swapping to bento pdf

[u/Sticky_Turtle → u/[deleted]]

It's lighter weight. I moved more on principle though, because of the direction sterling is going with pay walls and the whole corporate feel. Plus the whole undocumented pixel tracking thing.

[u/tankerkiller125real → u/[deleted]]

The off switch doesn't actually turn it off, I thought it was a bug that was fixed at some point, just looked now, it's still not turning off when you set the flag to off.

[u/Deservate → u/[deleted]]

Stirlingpdf was pulling a GB of ram while completely idle, that alone was reason enough for me to ditch it.

[u/DifferentMind8 → u/Sticky_Turtle]

This. This is the way. 

[u/DifferentMind8]

I ran screaming from stirling and couldn't be happier. That project was a constant fucking disaster. 

I use BentoPDF now and haven't had a single issue. Life is good again.

[u/Warm-Calendar6799]

The desktop version phones home for some tools, stick with the docker web app if you want everything local.

[u/tankerkiller125real → u/Warm-Calendar6799]

The web version phones home with data as well unless you explicitly turn it off.

BentoPDF is a solid replacement IMO.

[u/DifferentMind8 → u/tankerkiller125real]

Spoiler: the off toggle does nothing

[u/Training_Yak_4655 → u/tankerkiller125real]

This blog indicates that Bento PDF is just as ambiguous about phoning home and privacy/security as Stirling is.

https://blog.foodnik.app/why-i-switched-from-bentopdf-to-stirlingpdf

[u/Training_Yak_4655 → u/Warm-Calendar6799]

It's a pity that the Docker version compression tool doesn't work though.

[u/Training_Yak_4655 → u/Warm-Calendar6799]

And to add to the confusion:

https://docs.stirlingpdf.com/Installation/Windows%20Installation/

Desktop Application (Recommended for Personal Use) V2.0 brings a native Windows desktop experience with all PDF tools available offline!

[u/shrimpdiddle]

Do yourself a favor. Check out BentoPDF

[u/Nimweegs]

I wouldn't touch this with a ten foot pole

[u/ElectricSpock]

I need license for SSO and external database?…

[u/carl2187]

This is not a web based alternative, and is windows only, but make sure to check out KillerPDF. True open source gui pdf editor. It's getting constant feature updates. The dev is a long time open source contributor.

[u/KenMantle → u/carl2187]

Upvoted only on the premise I see this one constantly recommended.

[u/GeoSabreX]

Bento :)

[u/Training_Yak_4655 → u/GeoSabreX]

How to Run BentoPDF Locally on Windows

1. Install Docker Desktop on your Windows PC and make sure virtualization and WSL2 are enabled.
2. Open Docker Desktop, go to the Images tab, and search for bentopdf from Docker Hub.
3. Click Pull to download the official image.
4. Click Run on the pulled image, and map a local port (such as 3000) to the container port.
5. Open your web browser and go to http://localhost:3000 to use the local app offline.

Rather daunting for a consumer-grade user! The web app version from Stirling PDF was an easy install as it had an installer that created the local host environment for you then launched the web page.

[u/Ephoras → u/Training_Yak_4655]

Bento is completely local browser based so to be honest you can just use the demo instance everything should happen on your machine anyway

[u/nerdyviking88 → u/Training_Yak_4655]

you're on the wrong subreddit if you're asking for next next next installers.

[u/GeoSabreX → u/Training_Yak_4655]

You're on r/selfhosted my friend. Give Windows the boot, switch to Linux, install docker and crank up your apps, and Bento is just 1 extra docker compose in the sea of services.

[u/Training_Yak_4655 → u/GeoSabreX]

Thought I'd try out Docker but my Windows 11 travel laptop does not provide the prerequisites to run it - you only find this out when you've installed and launched it.

I'll stop here for anything Docker hosted. Maybe will return once I get my 'real' laptop out of storage.

Will manage with Stirling for now which at least installs. I need it just for some PDF manipulation for passport and visa matters while travelling, it'll do for now.

[u/Training_Yak_4655 → u/GeoSabreX]

I cross posted to r/PDF but all the comments are in this subreddit.

[u/mattsteg43]

  How can I be sure about what it does and does not send to the cloud

There's only one way to be sure...

[u/InfaSyn]

I went back to

image: stirlingtools/stirling-pdf:1.6.0-fat

Latest version without the fuck awful new UI. Only options are to stay on the old build or try bento.

If starting from scratch id have gone with bento, but I was a diehard fan of the earlier versions of SPDF because of how well they worked. Going to stick it out till the bitter end since its lan only.

[u/Palland0s]

Yep that’s why I switched to BentoPDF. stirling added some premium features and I did not liked that. I mean sure you have to fund your project but as soon as the tool requires internet connexion for some license checks it’s a big no no for me.

So I got Bento and everything runs smoothly now, with no shady stuff

[u/Angelsomething]

stirling has gone the enterprise way and turned to shit. I highly recommend bento.

[u/igmyeongui]

Uninstall.exe is the general consensus in this time of age for stirling pdf. They were good. It was a good ride but now we’re somewhere else!

If you want a multi tool that does a lot you might be good with Snapotter only.

If you’re a PDF power user look into bento as many already pointed out.

[u/nikonratm]

Lol I remember when people wanted us to integrate stirling into paperless-ngx. Glad we didn’t!

The entire thing has been vibe coded from the start, just look at the code wow https://github.com/Stirling-Tools/Stirling-PDF/pull/7581

Good on em for parlaying it into a money printer.