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PDFtk
What PDFtk is
PDFtk is a toolkit for everyday PDF work, with graphical and command-line editions for desktop and self-hosted use. PDFtk Free provides a graphical interface for merging and splitting PDF documents and pages, and includes the PDFtk Server command-line tool. PDFtk Pro adds ways to rotate, watermark, stamp, and secure pages and documents, as well as merge and split them. Server can fill forms using X/FDF data, add or update bookmarks and metadata, attach or unpack files, and attempt to repair corrupted PDFs. It can decrypt an input PDF when given its password and encrypt output; Pro can set an opening password or restrict printing, assembly, copying, or editing. PDFtk Server is available at no charge under GPL Version 2, though commercial redistribution in a product generally needs a separate license. The listed plans are PDFtk Free, PDFtk Server at no cost, PDFtk Pro at $3.99, paid once, and a Server Redistribution License at $995, paid once. PDF Labs says its products may create temporary local troubleshooting logs, and customers are responsible for applying their privacy policies to those files.
Who it suits
PDFtk suits people who need PDF merging and splitting through a GUI, or more document operations through Pro or the command-line Server edition. Developers and businesses embedding Server in a product should account for the separate redistribution licensing requirement unless their product uses a GPL-compatible license.
What it does well
- PDFtk Free has a GUI for merging and splitting PDFs and pages.
- Pro adds rotation, watermarking, stamping, and document security tools.
- Server supports form filling, bookmark and metadata updates, and file attachments.
- Server can attempt repairs and encrypt output or decrypt input with its password.
- PDFtk Pro includes both PDFtk Server and graphical and command-line access.
What to know first
- The free GUI is limited to merging and splitting PDFs and pages.
- Commercial redistribution of Server generally requires a separate license.
- PDF Labs products may create local troubleshooting logs that customers must cover under their privacy policies.
Limits
PDFtk Free provides GUI merging and splitting only. Server redistribution in a commercial product generally requires a separate license unless the product uses a GPL-compatible license; the listed redistribution license costs $995, paid once.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| PDFtk Free | Free to use for as long as you like · Windows 10 and 11 · GUI for merging and splitting PDFs and pages · includes PDFtk Server command-line tool | Free |
| PDFtk Server | Free to install and use under the GNU General Public License Version 2 · Command-line tool · commercial redistribution in a commercial product requires a separate license unless the product uses a GPL-compatible license | Free |
| PDFtk Pro | Only $3.99 · Windows 10 and 11 · includes installer download link and license key · includes PDFtk Server command-line tool | $3.99, paid once |
| PDFtk Server Redistribution License | Now available for $995 · Allows redistribution of an unlimited number of PDFtk Server binaries as part of one distinct commercial product, subject to license terms | $995, paid once |
As pdflabs.com lists them, read 9 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Open the PDFtk product website.
- Choose PDFtk Free, PDFtk Pro, or PDFtk Server based on whether you need a GUI, paid tools, or command-line operations.
- For PDFtk Free or Pro, use a Windows 10 or 11 computer.
- Install PDFtk Server under GPL Version 2 for free use, or obtain a redistribution license when required for a commercial product.
- For product questions, email Sid Steward and include PDF Labs in the subject.
Verdict
Pick PDFtk for a low-cost toolkit when its GUI merge and split functions, Pro operations, or Server command-line capabilities match your workflow. Look elsewhere if you need broader GUI features without buying Pro, or if commercial redistribution licensing does not fit your product plans.
Questions
Is PDFtk free?
PDFtk Free costs nothing, and PDFtk Server is free under GPL Version 2.
How much does PDFtk Pro cost?
PDFtk Pro is $3.99, paid once.
What platforms are listed?
The listed platforms are Linux, macOS, self-hosted, and Windows. The Free and Pro plans specify Windows 10 and 11.
What does PDFtk Server do?
It can fill forms with X/FDF data, manage bookmarks and metadata, attach or unpack files, and attempt to repair corrupted PDFs.
Can I redistribute PDFtk Server in my product?
Commercial redistribution generally requires a separate license unless the product uses a GPL-compatible license. The listed redistribution license is $995, paid once.
Who makes PDFtk?
PDF Labs says it is operated by Sid Steward, and the site copyright identifies Steward and Lee, LLC.
Facts from PDFtk's own pages
- Deployment
- PDFtk Server is commonly used for client-side scripting and server-side PDF processing, and is also used by OEMs and ISVs in their products. · pdflabs.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Free GUI features
- PDFtk Free is a graphical tool for merging and splitting PDF documents and pages. · pdflabs.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- PDFtk Pro includes PDFtk Server, providing both a graphical interface and command-line interface; the product pages list no third-party integrations. · pdflabs.com, 9 Oct 2026
- License
- PDFtk Server is available at no charge under GPL Version 2, while commercial redistribution in a product generally requires a separate redistribution license. · pdflabs.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Maker
- PDF Labs says it is operated by Sid Steward, and the site copyright identifies Steward and Lee, LLC. · pdflabs.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Platforms
- PDFtk Server runs on Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux; PDFtk Pro and Free are listed for Windows 10 and 11. · pdflabs.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- PDF Labs says products may create temporary local troubleshooting logs, and customers are responsible for applying their privacy policies to those files. · pdflabs.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Pro features
- PDFtk Pro can split, merge, rotate, watermark, stamp, and secure PDF pages and documents. · pdflabs.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- PDFtk is a toolkit for everyday work with PDF documents, offered as free GUI, paid GUI, and command-line editions. · pdflabs.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Refunds
- PDF Labs says it will refund the purchase price if a customer is not satisfied with a purchased product. · pdflabs.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Security
- PDFtk Server can decrypt input when the password is supplied and encrypt output; PDFtk Pro can apply passwords to open a PDF or restrict operations such as printing, assembly, copying, or editing. · pdflabs.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Server operations
- PDFtk Server can fill PDF forms with X/FDF data, add or update bookmarks and metadata, attach or unpack files, and repair corrupted PDFs where possible. · pdflabs.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Support
- PDF Labs invites questions about its products by email to Sid Steward and asks users to include PDF Labs in the subject for prompt delivery. · pdflabs.com, 9 Oct 2026
Where PDFtk stands on Freedom251
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