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BentoPDF

BentoPDF is a free, open-source PDF toolkit that runs in your browser without uploads or signups, for anyone handling private documents.

Our take: For everyday PDF jobs, BentoPDF removes the usual trade-off between free and private: there is no upload, no account and no paywall.

Best forPrivate, free PDF editing
ReviewedPricing: Free
7.7 out of 105 criteria · see breakdown
Try BentoPDFFree; commercial license $99 one-time

BentoPDF is a free, open-source PDF toolkit with more than 100 tools that run in your browser, so files are never uploaded. There is no account or usage limit; only businesses using it in closed-source products or internal tools need the one-time commercial license.

The bottom line

The first free PDF toolkit to try if privacy matters; teams needing cloud storage or batch APIs should look elsewhere.

Our score

Reviewed by the Conversion Gems editorial team. Hover a facet to focus it; click to pin.Tap a facet to focus it.

What it is, and why we rate it

One line each. Open a row for detail.

What it really isAn open-source browser PDF toolkit that keeps every file on your own device.
Our takeFor everyday PDF jobs, BentoPDF removes the usual trade-off between free and private: there is no upload, no account and no paywall.
The tool list is long and keeps growing. The limits are honest ones. Heavy files run at the speed of your laptop, there is no cloud storage or team sharing, and companies building it into closed-source tools owe a commercial license.
Why we rate itA very wide free toolset with real privacy, held back only by device-bound performance and thin support.
The catchClosed-source business use needs a paid license, and big files run only as fast as your own computer.

Best / not good for

Best for
  • Private one-off PDF edits
  • Offline PDF work
  • Self-hosted PDF tools for a team
Not good for
  • Cloud storage and document sharing
  • High-volume server-side batch jobs
  • Teams needing live vendor support
Trade-offs

Friction report

Trade-offs to know before signing up.

  1. Time to value
    Seconds: open a tool and drop in a file, no account.
  2. Scale breakpoint
    Deploying it inside a closed-source company tool or SaaS requires the commercial license.
  3. Walled garden
    None: files stay local in standard PDF and Office formats, and the code is open source.
Still a fit?
If none of these block you, start on the free plan.
Try BentoPDF

BentoPDF pricing and licensing

OptionPriceWho it is for
Web app$0Anyone; no signup, no usage or file-size caps beyond your device
Self-hosted (AGPL-3.0)$0Personal use or deployments that publish their full source
Commercial License$99 one-time (limited-time offer: $79)Closed-source SaaS, internal company tools and commercial products

From BentoPDF's FAQ and licensing pages, checked 4 October 2026. The commercial license is lifetime, covers unlimited users and devices, and is non-refundable.

Do you need a commercial license?

Use caseLicense
Personal use, not hosted as a serviceAGPL (free)
Open-source project with public sourceAGPL (free)
Internal company tool, source not shared with usersCommercial
Closed-source SaaS or commercial productCommercial

From BentoPDF's licensing reference chart, checked 4 October 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is BentoPDF free?

Yes. The web app at bentopdf.com has no fees, subscriptions, usage limits or premium-only features, and needs no account. Only businesses that run it in closed-source products or internal tools need the commercial license, listed at $99 one-time with a limited-time offer of $79 (checked 4 October 2026).

Is BentoPDF safe?

BentoPDF processes files in your browser and says it never uploads them and uses no cookies, analytics or tracking scripts. Its code is public on GitHub under AGPL-3.0, so anyone can check how files are handled. As with any web tool, open it from the official bentopdf.com domain or a self-hosted copy you trust.

What does BentoPDF do?

It merges, splits, compresses, edits, signs, redacts, OCRs and converts PDFs, fills and creates forms, and can chain steps in a visual workflow builder. The site lists more than 100 tools.

What is the difference between BentoPDF and Stirling PDF?

Both are open-source PDF toolkits that keep files local. BentoPDF runs in the browser with nothing to install. Stirling PDF says it runs on your computer or server and adds an API, MCP access and automated pipelines for batch processing.

Does BentoPDF work offline?

Mostly. After the first page load, most tools run without an internet connection. A few tools that fetch outside data, such as Markdown to PDF with web images, still need a connection.

Do I need a BentoPDF commercial license?

Not for personal use or open-source projects that share their source. You do need one for closed-source SaaS, internal company tools where users cannot see the source, and commercial products. It is a one-time, lifetime license with no refunds.

BentoPDF alternatives

Other PDF and document tools in our directory:

Showing 1–3 of 4
Sources checked October 4, 2026: BentoPDF homepage and tool list, BentoPDF FAQ, BentoPDF licensing, About BentoPDF, BentoPDF on GitHub.

Conversion Gems independently reviews every tool.

Tags

#PDFTools#OpenSource#Privacy

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