# Stirling-PDF vs subarr

> Two self-hosted projects, compared on the numbers selfhost.directory tracks live: score, popularity, release cadence and setup effort.

| | Stirling-PDF | subarr |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 87/100 ✓ | 48/100 |
| Rank in category | #1 of 46 in Document Management | #79 of 142 in Media Management |
| GitHub stars | 95 289 ✓ | 147 |
| Stars, last 30 days | +2 327 ✓ | +0 |
| Stable releases, 12 months | 25 ✓ | 10 |
| Latest release | v3.2.2 · 24 Oct 2026 ✓ | v2.7.24 · 22 Oct 2026 |
| Setup | Moderate ✓ | Advanced |
| Official Docker image | Yes | Yes |
| License | Other | MIT |
| Main language | Typescript | Python |

## Which one should you pick?

Stirling-PDF scores 87/100 against 48/100 for subarr, so it is the safer default.

Stirling-PDF ships more often: 25 stable releases in the past year, against 10 for subarr.

If you want the quickest setup, Stirling-PDF is easier to run; subarr needs more configuration.

Stirling-PDF is growing faster right now (+2 327 stars in 30 days).

## Details

- [Stirling-PDF](https://selfhost.directory/project/stirling-pdf) (markdown: https://selfhost.directory/project/stirling-pdf.md)
- [subarr](https://selfhost.directory/project/subarr) (markdown: https://selfhost.directory/project/subarr.md)

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Source: https://selfhost.directory/compare/stirling-pdf-vs-subarr