Freedom251 › File Conversion Software
Pandoc
What Pandoc is
Pandoc is a free command-line tool and Haskell library for converting documents between markup and word-processing formats. It supports formats such as Markdown, HTML, LaTeX, Word DOCX, EPUB, and Jupyter notebooks. Readers parse documents into an abstract syntax tree, which writers then convert to a target format. Templates and Lua filters let users customize output, and users can create custom readers and writers in Lua. Pandoc can format citations and produce bibliographies using hundreds of CSL styles. It creates PDFs with LaTeX by default, with other PDF engines available by configuration. Installers or binaries are provided for Windows, macOS, and Linux, and package-manager and source installation options are documented. It can run through GitHub Actions and GitLab CI/CD, and official Docker images are available. Pandoc has no graphical interface. Conversions from more expressive formats can lose information, and complex tables may not fit its document model. The maker-provided statically linked Linux executable cannot use Lua filters that depend on Lua modules written in C.
Who it suits
Pandoc suits people comfortable with command-line tools who need document conversion or customizable processing. Its guides can help newcomers get started, while its user guide provides more detailed instructions.
What it does well
- Free software released under the GPL.
- Supports many markup and word-processing formats.
- Lua filters and templates can customize output.
- Can generate bibliographies with hundreds of CSL styles.
- Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
What to know first
- It has no graphical user interface.
- Conversions from more expressive formats may lose information.
- Complex tables may not fit its document model.
- Static Linux binaries cannot use Lua filters relying on C modules.
Limits
Pandoc has no paid or time-limited free plan; it is free software released under the GPL. Its maker-provided statically linked binaries cannot use Lua filters that depend on Lua modules written in C.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Pandoc | Free software released under the GPL | Free |
As pandoc.org lists them, read 30 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit the Pandoc website and read its getting-started guide if you are new to command-line tools.
- Choose an installer or binary for Windows, macOS, or Linux, or follow the documented package-manager or source installation route.
- Use the User’s Guide for detailed instructions.
- For automated workflows, use GitHub Actions, GitLab CI/CD, or an official Docker image.
Verdict
Pandoc provides broad format conversion and customization for command-line workflows. Its lack of a graphical interface and the possibility of lossy conversions are important considerations.
Questions
How much does Pandoc cost?
The listed plan is free. Pandoc is released under the GPL.
Is there a free trial?
No free trial is listed; Pandoc is available as free software.
Which operating systems does it support?
Installers or binaries are provided for Linux, macOS, and Windows. The listed platforms also include web and self-hosted.
Does Pandoc have a graphical interface?
No. Pandoc is a command-line tool.
Can it create PDFs?
Yes. It uses LaTeX by default and supports specifying other PDF engines.
How can I install it?
The maker provides installers or binaries for Windows, macOS, and Linux, and documents package-manager and source installation options.
Facts from Pandoc's own pages
- Citations
- Pandoc can format citations and generate bibliographies using hundreds of CSL styles. · pandoc.org, 30 Sept 2026
- Conversion fidelity
- Conversions from formats more expressive than Pandoc’s Markdown may be lossy, and complex tables may not fit its document model. · pandoc.org, 30 Sept 2026
- Custom processing
- Users can customize output with templates and write filters or custom readers and writers in Lua. · pandoc.org, 30 Sept 2026
- Document structure
- Pandoc uses readers to parse documents into an abstract syntax tree and writers to convert that representation to a target format. · pandoc.org, 30 Sept 2026
- Format support
- Supported formats include Markdown, HTML, LaTeX, Word DOCX, EPUB, Jupyter notebooks, and many others. · pandoc.org, 30 Sept 2026
- Founded
- 2006 · pandoc.org, 28 Sept 2026
- Installation options
- The maker provides installers or binaries for Windows, macOS, and Linux, and documents package-manager and source installation options. · pandoc.org, 30 Sept 2026
- Limitation
- The maker-provided statically linked binaries cannot use Lua filters that rely on Lua modules written in C. · pandoc.org, 30 Sept 2026
- PDF output
- Pandoc creates PDFs using LaTeX by default and supports specifying other PDF engines. · pandoc.org, 30 Sept 2026
- Purpose
- Pandoc is a command-line tool and Haskell library for converting documents between markup and word-processing formats. · pandoc.org, 30 Sept 2026
- Security
- The official Linux executable is statically linked and has no dynamic dependencies or dependencies on external data files. · pandoc.org, 30 Sept 2026
- Support and onboarding
- The site provides a getting-started guide for people unfamiliar with command-line tools and a User’s Guide for detailed use. · pandoc.org, 30 Sept 2026
- User interface
- Pandoc is a command-line tool and has no graphical user interface. · pandoc.org, 30 Sept 2026
- Workflow integrations
- Pandoc can run through GitHub Actions and GitLab CI/CD, and official Docker images are available. · pandoc.org, 30 Sept 2026
Where Pandoc stands on Freedom251
- File Conversion Software#22 of 69