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MuPDF vs Ghostscript: catalog facts
MuPDFGhostscript
Free

Free and open source under the AGPL. Commercial licensing is sold separately.

Free

Free and open source under the AGPL. Commercial licensing is sold separately.

Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Command line Windows, macOS, Linux, Command line
  • Extremely fast and small, with accurate rendering
  • The bundled mutool covers most scripted PDF manipulation
  • Handles PostScript, PDF, PCL and XPS in one interpreter
  • The de facto engine for PDF conversion and compression in print workflows
  • The viewer interface is deliberately minimal and keyboard-driven
  • Commercial use of the library needs a paid licence from Artifex
  • Command line with a famously cryptic option set
  • Commercial redistribution requires a paid Artifex licence
Downloadable app Downloadable app
Open source Open source
License: AGPL-3.0 License: AGPL-3.0
Not stated if an account is needed Not stated if an account is needed
Not stated if it works offline Not stated if it works offline

Checked September 22, 2026

Checked September 22, 2026

Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.