XpdfReader
What XpdfReader is
XpdfReader is a free, open-source PDF viewer and toolkit for desktop use on Linux, macOS, and Windows. Its Qt-based viewer lets users read PDF files, while its command-line utilities handle tasks such as extracting text, converting PDFs to PostScript or HTML, and working with images, fonts, attachments, and document information. The listed tools include pdftotext, pdftops, pdftohtml, pdfinfo, pdffonts, pdfdetach, pdftoppm, pdftopng, and pdfimages. Xpdf works offline and is licensed under GPL version 2 or 3; the project says it is not licensed under later GPL versions. Developers distributing a program that incorporates Xpdf source can use the GPL or purchase a commercial source license. Command-line tools are also described as portable to systems with a suitable C++ compiler. Optional configuration is available through an xpdfrc file. The project lists FreeType, libpng, and zlib among its libraries, and offers email help to users unable to compile Xpdf.
Who it suits
XpdfReader suits people looking for an offline desktop PDF viewer alongside command-line tools for extracting, converting, or inspecting PDF content. Developers incorporating its source should review the GPL terms or commercial licensing option.
What it does well
- Free plan and offline access.
- Viewer and utilities run on Linux, Windows, and macOS.
- Includes text, image, font, and attachment tools.
- Command-line tools can work on systems with a C++ compiler.
What to know first
- No OCR support is listed.
- Commercial source licensing may be needed for some distributed programs.
- Redistributed unmodified binaries require specified documentation files.
Limits
The free plan is licensed under GPL version 2 or 3, and the project does not offer Xpdf under later GPL versions. Developers incorporating Xpdf source into a distributed program can use the GPL or purchase a commercial source license.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Xpdf | GPL v2 or GPL v3; commercial source license available | Free |
As xpdfreader.com lists them, read 9 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit the XpdfReader website.
- Choose the viewer or command-line utilities for Linux, macOS or Windows.
- Use the PDF viewer or run the command-line utility suited to your task.
- Optionally configure utilities with the xpdfrc configuration file.
- If you cannot compile Xpdf on your system, email the project for help.
Verdict
XpdfReader combines a desktop PDF viewer with a broad set of command-line utilities at no listed cost. Its GPL terms and redistribution requirements matter for developers and distributors.
Questions
How much does XpdfReader cost?
The listed Xpdf plan costs nothing under GPL version 2 or 3. A commercial source license is available.
Which platforms does XpdfReader support?
The viewer and command-line utilities run on Linux, Windows and OS X; the listing identifies desktop support for Linux, macOS and Windows.
Does XpdfReader work offline?
Yes, it works offline.
Is XpdfReader open source?
Yes. Xpdf is licensed under GPL version 2 or 3, and the project does not license it under later GPL versions.
Can a developer use Xpdf in a distributed program?
A developer incorporating Xpdf source can use the GPL or purchase a commercial source license.
Does XpdfReader support OCR?
No. The listing says OCR support is none.
Facts from XpdfReader's own pages
- Command-line tools
- The tools include pdftotext, pdftops, pdftohtml, pdfinfo, pdffonts, pdfdetach, pdftoppm, pdftopng, and pdfimages. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Commercial licensing
- The project says developers incorporating Xpdf source into a distributed program can use the GPL or purchase a commercial source license. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Configuration
- Xpdf utilities can read an optional configuration file described in the xpdfrc(5) man page. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Distribution requirement
- Redistributed unmodified binary copies must include the README, man pages or help files, COPYING, and COPYING3 documentation. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · xpdfreader.com, 24 Sept 2026
- Integrations
- The repository lists FreeType, libpng, and zlib as libraries used by Xpdf. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
- License
- Xpdf is licensed under GPL version 2 or 3, and the project states that it is not licensed under later GPL versions. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
- OCR support
- none · xpdfreader.com, 24 Sept 2026
- Offline access
- Yes · xpdfreader.com, 24 Sept 2026
- Platform support
- desktop · xpdfreader.com, 24 Sept 2026
- Purpose
- Xpdf is an open source PDF viewer and toolkit that includes a PDF text extractor, a PDF-to-PostScript converter, and other utilities. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project says users who cannot compile Xpdf on their system can email for help. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Supported systems
- The viewer and command-line utilities run on Linux, Windows, and OS X; the command-line tools are also described as portable to systems with a decent C++ compiler. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Viewer toolkit
- The Xpdf viewer uses the Qt cross-platform GUI toolkit. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Where XpdfReader stands on Freedom251
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