PDFCreator
PDFCreator is pdfforge’s document conversion software for Windows and self-hosted environments.
What PDFCreator is
PDFCreator is pdfforge’s document conversion software for Windows and self-hosted environments. It turns printable documents into PDF, PDF/A, PDF/X, PNG, JPEG, TIFF, or TXT files, and supports batch conversion. The Free edition installs a virtual printer, allowing PDF creation from any program with a print option. Editing workflows can merge documents, rearrange pages, add watermarks, and save files automatically. Automated actions include adding cover pages, sending email, uploading through FTP, and running custom scripts. Integrations include a COM interface, C# scripts, FTP, email actions, and API access. PDFCreator Server runs as a Windows service and handles jobs through shared virtual printers and queues, while Terminal Server supports Citrix and Windows RDS. Free includes 128-bit AES encryption; Professional adds 256-bit encryption, digital signatures, and user restrictions. The software is open source. Business editions include priority support, and paid editions have a 30-day trial without a credit card.
Good
- Virtual printer creates PDFs from print-capable programs
- Converts to PDF, images, and TXT
- Batch conversion is supported
- Automated email, FTP, and script actions
- Open-source code can be modified under its license
Watch out
- Free edition is for personal use
- Free edition lacks an MSI installer
- Version 6.0 and later require 64-bit systems
- Paid plans are billed yearly
Who it suits
The Free edition suits personal Windows users who need printable-document conversion. Professional and Server editions suit businesses, shared environments, and centralized Windows deployments.
Verdict
PDFCreator covers conversion, editing workflows, automation, and server processing in one Windows-focused product. Its edition structure separates personal use from professional and centralized deployments.
Plans and prices
From PDFCreator's own pricing page, checked 8 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| PDFCreator Free | Free | Free for personal use · commercial use requires a business edition · 128-bit AES encryption |
| PDFCreator Professional | — | For 1–100 users on individual Windows desktops · volume discounts from 10 units · Yearly per workstation; auto-renews annually |
| PDFCreator Server | — | Centralized Windows service · unlimited queues · Yearly per server; auto-renews annually |
| PDFCreator Terminal Server | — | For Windows RDS and Citrix · unlimited users per licensed server · volume discounts from 10 units · Yearly per server; auto-renews annually |
The facts
Each one read from PDFCreator's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Automation
- PDFCreator supports automated actions such as adding cover pages, uploading via FTP, emailing files, and running custom scripts.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Deployment limits
- Starting with version 6.0, PDFCreator supports only 64-bit operating systems, and Free does not include an MSI installer.checked 8 Oct 2026
- 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.checked 8 Oct 2026
- 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.checked 8 Oct 2026
- License updates
- Updates are included while a business license is active, and the maker says releases arrive several times a year.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Open source
- PDFCreator is open source, and pdfforge says users may download and modify its code under the stated license terms.checked 8 Oct 2026
- PDF editing workflows
- Users can merge documents, rearrange pages, add watermarks, and automatically save files.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- PDFCreator converts printable documents to PDF and other formats including PNG, JPEG, and TIF.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Security
- The Free edition includes 128-bit AES encryption; Professional includes 256-bit AES encryption, digital signatures, and user restrictions.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Server deployment
- PDFCreator Server runs as a Windows service and processes print jobs through shared virtual printers and queues.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Support
- Business editions include priority support, while the support site also provides a user guide, knowledge base, and community forum.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Virtual printer
- The Free edition installs as a virtual printer and creates PDFs from programs with a print option.checked 8 Oct 2026
The company
- Headquarters
- Hamburg, Germanychecked 28 Sep 2026
Money
- Trial
- The maker offers full access to its paid editions for 30 days without requiring a credit card.checked 8 Oct 2026
