Docs & PDF Q&A
Paperless-ngx
Digitize all your paper documents, searchable forever
Popularity
★ 45k
Last update
August 2026
License / pricing
GPL-3.0
Category
Docs & PDF Q&A
What it does
Scan-and-forget document management: OCR, tagging and instant search on your own server.
Summary based on the project's own description. The Japanese page has a fuller beginner guide: setup difficulty, what to prepare, and a step-by-step start.
Screenshots & visuals
Before you start
- Setup difficultyEasy to start
- Command lineRequired
- API keyNot required
- Sends data onlineNo
Judged automatically from the project's own metadata. Always confirm on the official page.
Paperless-ngx FAQ
- Is Paperless-ngx free?
- Yes. It runs on your own machine, so there is no usage-based cost either.
- Do I need to install anything or write code to use Paperless-ngx?
- It needs the command line. If you are not comfortable typing commands, expect to get stuck during setup.
- Does Paperless-ngx work on a phone?
- No. It needs a computer.
- Can I use Paperless-ngx commercially?
- The licence is GPL-3.0. Using it commercially is fine, but if you distribute something built on it you may be required to release that under the same licence. Keep it internal, or check before distributing.
How it compares
The conditions that decide whether you can actually use it, side by side.
| Tool | Command line | API key | Sends data out | Phone | Commercial use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paperless-ngx (this page) | Required | Not needed | No | No | Yes |
| OCRmyPDF | Required | Not needed | No | No | Yes |
| opendataloader-pdf | Required | Not needed | No | No | Yes |
| pdf-craft | Required | Not needed | No | No | Yes |
"Sends data out" means your input is uploaded to someone's server. Pick "No" when the material cannot leave your organisation.