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SPECIFICTION
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veraPDF

verapdf.org

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Spec score 8.2 #64 of 169 in Accessibility Testing Software

What it is

veraPDF is an open source validator for PDF/A and PDF/UA conformance. Its Implementation Checker validates all PDF/A parts and conformance levels, and performs machine checks for PDF/UA parts 1 and 2. The Policy Checker evaluates PDF Features Reports against institutional policy profiles. A Metadata Fixer makes a limited set of repairs, such as removing an incorrect PDF/A flag or repairing broken XMP when that is the only obstacle to a legitimate flag. The Reporter transforms machine-readable reports from the Implementation Checker, Policy Checker, and Metadata Fixer into other forms for downstream use. Developers can use the validation library as a Java archive through Maven, a desktop GUI, or a command-line application. Plugins can add third-party feature extraction tools to PDF Features Reports. The project describes digital preservationists and memory institutions as key users, and offers an API and test files for developers. Desktop installers are available for Windows, Mac, and Linux; these systems need Java 8 or later. veraPDF is dual licensed under GPLv3 or later and MPLv2 or later. Downloads include GPG signatures and instructions to check installer integrity. Development builds may contain bugs or missing features and come without support or guarantees. The validator costs nothing.

Spec sheet

Purpose
veraPDF is an open source validator for PDF/A and PDF/UA conformance.Read 9 Oct 2026 · verapdf.org
Intended users
The project describes digital preservationists and memory institutions as key users, and offers an API and test files for developers.Read 9 Oct 2026 · verapdf.org
Free plan
YesRead 21 Sep 2026 · verapdf.org
Automated scans
YesRead 21 Sep 2026 · verapdf.org
Browser extension
NoRead 21 Sep 2026 · verapdf.org
CI/CD integration
YesRead 21 Sep 2026 · verapdf.org
Consortium
The consortium is led by the Open Preservation Foundation and the PDF Association, with assistance from the Digital Preservation Coalition.Read 9 Oct 2026 · verapdf.org
Developer integration
The validation library is available as a Java archive through Maven, as well as a desktop GUI and command-line application.Read 9 Oct 2026 · verapdf.org
Development build limits
Development builds may contain bugs and missing features, and the maker says they come without support or guarantees.Read 9 Oct 2026 · verapdf.org
Download security
The downloads site provides GPG signatures and instructions to verify installer integrity using the published key fingerprint.Read 9 Oct 2026 · software.verapdf.org
Extensibility
The software supports plugins that add third-party feature extraction tools to PDF Features Reports.Read 9 Oct 2026 · docs.verapdf.org
Feature reporting
The Reporter transforms machine-readable reports from the Implementation Checker, Policy Checker, and Metadata Fixer into other forms for downstream use.Read 9 Oct 2026 · verapdf.org
Licensing
veraPDF is dual licensed under GPLv3 or later and MPLv2 or later.Read 9 Oct 2026 · verapdf.org
Manual review tools
NoRead 21 Sep 2026 · verapdf.org
Metadata fixing
The Metadata Fixer makes a limited set of metadata repairs, including removing an incorrect PDF/A flag or repairing broken XMP when that is the only obstacle to a legitimate flag.Read 9 Oct 2026 · verapdf.org
Mobile testing
NoRead 21 Sep 2026 · verapdf.org
PDF/A validation
The software validates all PDF/A parts and conformance levels.Read 9 Oct 2026 · verapdf.org
PDF/UA validation
The site says veraPDF supports machine checks for PDF/UA parts 1 and 2.Read 9 Oct 2026 · verapdf.org
Policy checking
The Policy Checker evaluates PDF Features Reports against institutional policy profiles.Read 9 Oct 2026 · verapdf.org
Supported desktop systems
The installer is for Windows, Mac, and Linux, and the documentation says those systems need Java 8 or later.Read 9 Oct 2026 · verapdf.org
WCAG coverage
other standardRead 21 Sep 2026 · verapdf.org

Plans and prices

veraPDF Free Free, open source validator · downloadable release and development builds · development builds may contain bugs or unfinished features Read 9 Oct 2026 · verapdf.org

Every veraPDF plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Validates all PDF/A parts and conformance levels
  • Checks PDF/UA parts 1 and 2
  • Offers desktop, command-line, and Maven library options
  • Supports plugins for feature extraction tools

Limits

  • Desktop systems need Java 8 or later
  • Metadata repairs are limited
  • Development builds may contain bugs or missing features

Who it suits

veraPDF suits digital preservationists and memory institutions checking PDF conformance, as well as developers integrating validation through its API or Java library.

Verdict

veraPDF provides PDF/A and PDF/UA validation alongside policy checking, reporting, and limited metadata repair. Choose a release build if you need the project’s support and guarantees, which development builds do not include.

Where Specifiction places it

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