Side by side
LocalRedact vs Open Redact
Both stand on document redaction software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Choose LocalRedact if you need a free local PDF redaction tool with automated detection, output checks, and API or command-line access. Its local processing and PDF sanitization may suit sensitive document workflows. Look elsewhere if you need batch processing or compliance certification, and review high-stakes output visually because detection can miss content.
Visit LocalRedactOpen Redact offers a free browser workflow for PDF redaction, with local processing and no account wall. Its MuPDF licensing guidance is relevant to anyone deploying or distributing derivative work.
Visit Open RedactThe facts
| LocalRedact | Open Redact | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | API, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Windows | Web |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | github.com | openredact.com |
| On document redaction software | #4 of 27 | #8 of 27 |
LocalRedact: what it does well
- Free and licensed under GNU AGPL version 3 only.
- Processes PDF text and coordinates locally.
- Removes underlying text and blanks intersecting image pixels.
- Checks whether detected values remain extractable after saving.
- Offers a Python API and two command-line tools.
What to know first
- The project describes the software as alpha.
- Detection is best effort and may miss sensitive content.
- Batch processing is not supported.
- PyMuPDF has separate AGPL and commercial licensing.
Open Redact: what it does well
- Free to use at no cost
- No account wall
- Redaction and export happen locally in the browser
- Full source code is publicly reviewable
What to know first
- Listed for web only
- Homepage names no downloadable desktop or mobile versions
Alternatives to LocalRedact Alternatives to Open Redact The whole list