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pdf-repair

Free#34 of 36 in PDF Repair Software

pdf-repair: A free, open-source command-line utility for batch PDF repair on your own machine. Ranked #34 of 36 in PDF Repair Software by our editors (6.0/10); pricing: Free plan; best for technical users repairing local PDF directory trees.

6.0/10Editor score
Visit pdf-repair
pdf-repair6.0 Visit pdf-repair

At a glance

  • Editor score
    6.0 / 10
  • Pricing
    Free plan
  • Best for
    Technical users repairing local PDF directory trees
  • Free plan
    Yes
  • Paid from
    None
  • Batch repair
    Yes
  • Facts checked
    5 Oct 2026

  • Where it wins

    • Recursively scans directories for PDF files
    • Tries pypdf and fallback repair strategies
    • Preserves originals and logs each file’s status and errors

  • Where it doesn't

    • Requires Python 3.8 or later and pypdf
    • Command-line, self-hosted workflow requires technical setup
    • Does not preview recovered PDFs

Our verdict on pdf-repair

pdf-repair is a Python command-line utility for people who want to repair PDF files in local directory trees rather than work through a hosted interface. It is a fit for technical users, especially solo users and small teams comfortable with Python. The utility runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows, and requires Python 3.8 or later with pypdf installed. Published under the MIT license, it is open source and has a free plan.

Its central strength is batch-oriented recovery: pdf-repair recursively scans directories and attempts multiple repair strategies, including pypdf and fallback methods. Successful repairs are saved as separate files with a “fixed-” prefix, leaving originals intact. A repair log records each file’s status, the method used, and error details. This workflow suits users managing a directory of damaged files who want a record of what the utility could and could not process. It handles malformed PDFs, permission issues, empty files, and unsupported structures, but it does not offer a preview of recovered documents.

The trade-off is a self-hosted technical workflow rather than a guided repair app. Users need to install Python and pypdf, run the tool from the command line, and work with its saved files and logs. That makes pdf-repair a sensible choice for users comfortable with local scripting and batch processing, but a less suitable one for people seeking a graphical interface, previews before saving, or a managed service. Its focus is directory-level repair rather than a broader PDF editing workflow.

Your product? Our editors can test pdf-repair in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $99/mo →

pdf-repair pricing

Plans Free planFree Free to use — no paid tier required for the core job.
See plans on github.com

pdf-repair fact sheet

Free planYes
Paid fromNone
Batch repairYes
Repair scopeBatch
Supported OSNot verified
File size limitNot verified
Preview recoveryNo
License typePerpetual
DeploymentSelf-hosted
PlatformsLinux, macOS, Windows
Built forSolo, Small business (editorial estimate)
PricingFree plan
Websitegithub.com
Facts checked5 Oct 2026

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Featured on iTechGuides

Featured on iTechGuides — pdf-repair 6.0/10

pdf-repair is listed in our PDF Repair Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

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