Ghostscript vs PDF Agile

Ghostscript is a PostScript and PDF interpreter and rendering engine from Artifex, with conversion support for PDF, PostScript, PCL and XPS. It can convert among those formats, produce PDF/A output, and compress PDFs with adjustable settings. Its OCR device can turn printed or scanned material into searchable PDF text. Other image and print capabilities include raster and vector output, color management, overprint simulation, N-up imposition, screening and trapping.

Ghostscript runs as a standalone command-line application or can be integrated into an application as an SDK. The gsapi interface has Python, C# and Java bindings, with demos and sample applications. The maker lists uses including cloud document conversion, archiving, previews, e-invoicing, pre-press, printing and document management. It supports Windows, macOS, Unix and Unix-like systems, VMS and embedded systems. The AGPL license is free, with source code disclosure requirements and no support. Artifex says a commercial license is required for distribution in a closed-source product or SaaS deployment under its licensing guidance; commercial plans have no listed price. Conversion may not preserve extra metadata such as embedded files or document outlines.

PDF Agile is a PDF reader and editor for Windows, macOS, and the web. It can modify PDF documents, including scans, without the original source files, and convert PDFs to and from Word, Excel, and PowerPoint while preserving fonts and formatting. Annotation tools cover highlights, underlines, strikethroughs, text, shapes, and freehand drawing. Security features include password protection, permanent redaction, and electronic signatures. Other tools handle compression, merging, splitting, OCR, cropping, page order and rotation, page numbering, links, presentations, screenshots, search, printing, bookmarks, and backgrounds. Browser-based tools cover conversion, organization, compression, protection, unlocking, and page rearrangement. The free plan lists 2 Page* and 5 Tasks for conversion. Paid plans are described as one-time payments with no recurring charges: the Semi-Annual Plan is $39 a month, the Annual Plan is $59 a month, and the Lifetime Plan is $119 a month. A purchased license can be used on up to two computers through an account.