Privacy-First PDF Reader

A PDF reader thatnever phones home.

A privacy-first desktop PDF reader for Windows, macOS, and Linux: zero telemetry, no account, and files that never leave your machine. Aside from the optional AI assistant, the only routine outbound call is a once-daily license validation that sends just your license key and a device fingerprint, never file contents, names, or paths.

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Zero telemetry

No analytics, no usage tracking, no crash reports sent home. PDFBook collects nothing about what you read, when you read it, or how long you spend on a page.

Offline-first with 14-day grace

Reading and library management work with zero internet. The daily license check has a 14-day grace window: go air-gapped for two weeks with no interruption.

No account required

No email, no password, no OAuth. PDFBook uses a license key, not a user account. You never hand over personal information to start reading.

Files never leave your machine

PDFBook reads PDFs directly from disk. There is no upload, no sync, no cloud processing. Your confidential documents, contracts, and personal files stay on your computer.

Your files never leave your computer

How PDFBook protects your privacy

  • Zero telemetry: no analytics, no usage data, no crash reports
  • No account system: license key only, no email or personal info needed
  • No cloud upload: files are read from disk and never transmitted
  • 14-day offline grace: go fully air-gapped without losing access
  • Daily license check sends only: license key + device fingerprint
  • Never transmits: file names, file paths, reading history, or file contents
  • Library metadata stored in a local file (library.json) on your machine
  • No third-party SDKs that phone home (no Firebase, no Sentry, no Mixpanel)
  • Open about what it does: one network call, documented and auditable

Read in peace. No one is watching.

Zero telemetry, no account, files never leave your machine. Free for 50 books, $89 once for Lifetime.

Download PDFBook freeSee Lifetime ($89)

Frequently asked questions

What data does PDFBook send to its servers?+
Apart from the optional AI assistant, PDFBook's desktop app makes one routine network call per day: a license validation request that sends your license key and a device fingerprint. PDFBook never transmits file names, file paths, reading history, or usage telemetry. The AI assistant (Pro) is opt-in and talks to your chosen model provider only when you use it. A fully local provider (Ollama) is also supported.
Can I use PDFBook completely offline?+
Yes. Reading, library management, and all local features work with zero internet. The daily license check has a 14-day offline grace window: if you go air-gapped for up to two weeks, PDFBook continues to function normally. After 14 days, it asks for one connection to re-validate.
Is PDFBook safe for confidential legal or medical documents?+
Yes. PDFBook reads files directly from your local disk and never uploads them anywhere. There is no cloud sync, no cloud processing, and no account linking your documents to an identity. For professionals handling contracts, patient records, or classified materials, PDFBook is a strong choice.
How does PDFBook compare to Adobe Acrobat on privacy?+
Many mainstream PDF tools collect desktop usage data by default and tie usage to a cloud account. PDFBook ships with zero telemetry, no account requirement, and no cloud upload. The difference is not just a toggle: PDFBook was designed from scratch to minimize data collection.
Does PDFBook use any third-party analytics SDKs?+
No. PDFBook includes no third-party analytics, crash reporting, or telemetry SDKs. There is no Firebase, no Sentry, no Mixpanel, no Google Analytics, and no equivalent. The license validation endpoint is the only server communication.
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