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SPECIFICTION
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PDFCreator

pdfforge.org

Free plan WindowsSelf-hosted
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Spec score 7.4 #26 of 46 in PDF Creation Software

What it is

PDFCreator converts printable documents to PDF and other formats, including PDF/A, PDF/X, PNG, JPEG, TIFF, and TXT. Its Free edition installs as a virtual printer, creating PDFs from programs with a print option; batch conversion is also supported. Users can merge documents, rearrange pages, add watermarks, and save files automatically. Automated actions include adding cover pages, sending files by email, FTP uploads, and custom scripts. Integration options include a COM interface, C# scripts, FTP, and email actions. Free includes 128-bit AES encryption; Professional adds 256-bit AES encryption, digital signatures, and user restrictions. PDFCreator Server runs as a Windows service and processes jobs through shared virtual printers and queues, while Terminal Server is designed for Citrix and Windows RDS. The open-source code can be downloaded and modified under the stated license terms. Free is for personal use; commercial use requires a business edition. Paid editions have a 30-day trial without a credit card. Starting with version 6.0, the software supports only 64-bit operating systems, and Free does not include an MSI installer.

Spec sheet

Purpose
PDFCreator converts printable documents to PDF and other formats including PNG, JPEG, and TIF.Read 8 Oct 2026 · download.pdfforge.org
Intended users
The Free edition is for personal use, while Professional targets business and professional users and the Server editions target shared or centralized environments.Read 8 Oct 2026 · pdfforge.org
Trial
The maker offers full access to its paid editions for 30 days without requiring a credit card.Read 8 Oct 2026 · pdfforge.org
Integrations
The product offers a COM interface, C# scripts, FTP uploads, and email actions; its Terminal Server edition is designed for Citrix and Windows RDS.Read 8 Oct 2026 · pdfforge.org
Security
The Free edition includes 128-bit AES encryption; Professional includes 256-bit AES encryption, digital signatures, and user restrictions.Read 8 Oct 2026 · pdfforge.org
Support
Business editions include priority support, while the support site also provides a user guide, knowledge base, and community forum.Read 8 Oct 2026 · pdfforge.org
Headquarters
Hamburg, GermanyRead 28 Sep 2026 · pdfforge.org
Automation
PDFCreator supports automated actions such as adding cover pages, uploading via FTP, emailing files, and running custom scripts.Read 8 Oct 2026 · pdfforge.org
Deployment limits
Starting with version 6.0, PDFCreator supports only 64-bit operating systems, and Free does not include an MSI installer.Read 8 Oct 2026 · support.pdfforge.org
License updates
Updates are included while a business license is active, and the maker says releases arrive several times a year.Read 8 Oct 2026 · pdfforge.org
Open source
PDFCreator is open source, and pdfforge says users may download and modify its code under the stated license terms.Read 8 Oct 2026 · pdfforge.org
PDF editing workflows
Users can merge documents, rearrange pages, add watermarks, and automatically save files.Read 8 Oct 2026 · pdfforge.org
Server deployment
PDFCreator Server runs as a Windows service and processes print jobs through shared virtual printers and queues.Read 8 Oct 2026 · pdfforge.org
Virtual printer
The Free edition installs as a virtual printer and creates PDFs from programs with a print option.Read 8 Oct 2026 · pdfforge.org

Plans and prices

PDFCreator Free Free Free for personal use · commercial use requires a business edition · 128-bit AES encryption Read 8 Oct 2026 · pdfforge.org
PDFCreator Professional Price not published Yearly per workstation; auto-renews annually For 1–100 users on individual Windows desktops · volume discounts from 10 units Read 8 Oct 2026 · pdfforge.org
PDFCreator Server Price not published Yearly per server; auto-renews annually Centralized Windows service · unlimited queues Read 8 Oct 2026 · pdfforge.org
PDFCreator Terminal Server Price not published Yearly per server; auto-renews annually For Windows RDS and Citrix · unlimited users per licensed server · volume discounts from 10 units Read 8 Oct 2026 · pdfforge.org

Every PDFCreator plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Converts printable documents to several formats
  • Supports batch conversion and automated actions
  • Free edition includes 128-bit AES encryption
  • Paid editions offer a 30-day trial

Limits

  • Commercial use requires a business edition
  • Version 6.0 and later require 64-bit systems
  • Free edition does not include an MSI installer

Who it suits

The Free edition is for personal use. Professional targets business and professional users, while the Server editions are aimed at shared or centralized environments.

Verdict

PDFCreator covers print-to-file conversion, document workflows, and automated processing on Windows. Check the commercial-use restriction, 64-bit requirement, and unlisted business-edition prices before choosing a plan.

Where Specifiction places it

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