Komodo PDF
What Komodo PDF is
Komodo PDF is a free, open-source PDF reader for Windows, macOS, and Linux, with an AI panel for asking questions about a document. It indexes document passages in a local vector store and can cite sources in its answers; clicking a citation takes the reader to and highlights the passage. The reader includes continuous scrolling, zoom, fit-width and fit-page views, outlines, and text selection. A badge identifies pages that lack a text layer, including scanned pages. If a document does not answer a question, the assistant can use general knowledge and indicate that it has done so. Chat works with OpenAI-compatible providers using the reader’s own API key, or with local chat endpoints. The maker says Komodo has no backend, sends no telemetry, and does not upload documents to Komodo; remote chat sends retrieved passages to the configured provider. With local ONNX embeddings and a local chat endpoint, the maker says documents stay on the laptop. API keys are kept in the operating system keyring, with an encrypted on-disk fallback. The site lists version 0.1.1 and GPLv3 licensing.
Who it suits
Komodo PDF suits readers who want document-questioning tools alongside standard PDF navigation, on Windows, macOS, or Linux. It may also suit users who prefer local chat endpoints, with the stated local setup.
What it does well
- Answers cite and highlight source passages.
- Supports standard PDF navigation and text selection.
- Scanned pages without text layers are identified.
- Works with local chat endpoints.
- Free and open source under GPLv3.
What to know first
- Remote chat sends retrieved passages to its provider.
- The maker describes it as a focused reader, not an Acrobat clone.
- Windows downloads are listed; macOS and Linux builds are from source.
Limits
The free plan is listed as free and open source under GPLv3. The listed plan names Windows 10/11 x64; macOS and Linux builds are from source.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Komodo PDF | Free and open source · GPLv3 · Windows 10/11 (x64) · macOS and Linux builds from source | Free |
As komodopdf.com lists them, read 8 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit the Komodo PDF website.
- Choose a Windows EXE, MSI, or portable ZIP download, or use a macOS or Linux build from source.
- For chat with an OpenAI-compatible provider, configure it with your own API key.
- Alternatively, use a local chat endpoint; local ONNX embeddings are available for local document processing.
Verdict
Komodo PDF pairs familiar reading controls with a document-grounded AI panel and clickable citations. Consider how you want to route chat, since remote providers receive retrieved passages while the stated local setup keeps documents on the laptop.
Questions
How much does Komodo PDF cost?
The listed Komodo PDF plan is free. The pricing model is free.
Is Komodo PDF open source?
Yes. It is identified as GPLv3 open source.
Which platforms does it support?
The listed platforms are Linux, macOS, and Windows. The plan details specify Windows 10/11 x64, with macOS and Linux builds from source.
Can I use a local AI endpoint?
Yes. Chat supports local endpoints. The maker says documents stay on the laptop when using local ONNX embeddings and a local chat endpoint.
Does remote chat send my PDF to Komodo?
The maker says Komodo does not upload documents to Komodo. Remote chat sends retrieved document passages to the provider configured by the user.
Is there a free trial?
No. The listed free trial is no; the product has a free plan.
Facts from Komodo PDF's own pages
- AI routing
- When the document does not answer a question, the assistant can fall back to general knowledge and indicate that it did so. · komodopdf.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Citations
- Users can click an answer citation to jump to and highlight its source passage. · komodopdf.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Downloads
- The maker lists Windows EXE, MSI, and portable ZIP downloads and says SHA-256 checksums are published with releases. · komodopdf.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · komodopdf.com, 24 Sept 2026
- Integrations
- Chat works with OpenAI-compatible providers using the user's own API key; local chat endpoints are also supported. · komodopdf.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Key storage
- API keys are stored in the operating system keyring with an encrypted on-disk fallback. · komodopdf.com, 8 Oct 2026
- License and version
- The site identifies Komodo PDF as GPLv3 open source and displays version 0.1.1. · komodopdf.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Limitations
- The maker describes Komodo as a focused reader with a grounded AI panel rather than an Acrobat clone. · komodopdf.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Local use
- With local ONNX embeddings and a local chat endpoint, the maker says documents never leave the user's laptop. · komodopdf.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Platforms
- The available installer targets Windows 10/11 x64; macOS and Linux prebuilt binaries are not ready, but the maker says both can be built from source. · komodopdf.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- The maker says Komodo has no backend, sends no telemetry, and does not upload documents to Komodo; remote chat sends retrieved document passages to the configured provider. · komodopdf.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Product
- Komodo PDF is a local-first PDF reader with an AI panel that answers questions about a document using page-cited sources. · komodopdf.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Reading
- The reader supports continuous scrolling, zoom, fit-width, fit-page, document outlines, and text selection. · komodopdf.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Retrieval
- Komodo indexes document passages into a local vector store and retrieves relevant passages for questions. · komodopdf.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Scanned pages
- A per-page badge identifies pages without a text layer, such as scanned images. · komodopdf.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Support
- The maker links to a contributing guide and a bug-report page on GitHub. · komodopdf.com, 8 Oct 2026
Where Komodo PDF stands on Freedom251
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