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veraPDF
What it is
veraPDF is a free, open source validator for PDF/A and PDF/UA conformance. Its Implementation Checker covers all PDF/A parts and conformance levels and performs machine checks for PDF/UA parts 1 and 2. A Policy Checker evaluates PDF Features Reports against institutional policy profiles. The Metadata Fixer can make a limited range of repairs, such as correcting an erroneous PDF/A flag or fixing broken XMP when that is the sole barrier to a valid flag. The Reporter reshapes machine-readable results from these tools for downstream use. Users can work with a desktop interface, command-line application, or a Java validation library distributed through Maven. Plugins can add third-party feature extraction to PDF Features Reports. Desktop installers are available for Windows, Mac, and Linux, where Java 8 or later is needed. The project identifies digital preservationists and memory institutions as key users, and provides an API and test files for developers. veraPDF is dual licensed under GPLv3 or later and MPLv2 or later. Downloads provide GPG signatures and instructions for checking installer integrity.
For and against
For
- Free and open source
- Validates all PDF/A parts and conformance levels
- Machine checks PDF/UA parts 1 and 2
- Offers desktop, command-line, and Java library options
- Downloads include GPG signatures
Against
- Desktop systems need Java 8 or later
- Metadata repairs cover only a limited set
- Development builds may have bugs or unfinished features
The verdict
veraPDF combines PDF/A and PDF/UA checks with policy evaluation, limited metadata repair, and report conversion. Its free tools serve both institutional preservation work and developer integration, though development builds come without support or guarantees.
Who it suits
veraPDF suits digital preservationists and memory institutions that need to check PDF conformance, as well as developers integrating validation into their work. Its desktop, command-line, and Java library options support different workflows.
Plans and prices
veraPDF
Free, open source validator · downloadable release and development builds · development builds may contain bugs or unfinished features
Read 9 Oct 2026 · verapdf.org
On the record
- Automated scans
- Yesverapdf.org · read 21 Sep 2026
- Browser extension
- Noverapdf.org · read 21 Sep 2026
- CI/CD integration
- Yesverapdf.org · read 21 Sep 2026
- Consortium
- The consortium is led by the Open Preservation Foundation and the PDF Association, with assistance from the Digital Preservation Coalition.verapdf.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Developer integration
- The validation library is available as a Java archive through Maven, as well as a desktop GUI and command-line application.verapdf.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Development build limits
- Development builds may contain bugs and missing features, and the maker says they come without support or guarantees.verapdf.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Download security
- The downloads site provides GPG signatures and instructions to verify installer integrity using the published key fingerprint.software.verapdf.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Extensibility
- The software supports plugins that add third-party feature extraction tools to PDF Features Reports.docs.verapdf.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Feature reporting
- The Reporter transforms machine-readable reports from the Implementation Checker, Policy Checker, and Metadata Fixer into other forms for downstream use.verapdf.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The project describes digital preservationists and memory institutions as key users, and offers an API and test files for developers.verapdf.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Licensing
- veraPDF is dual licensed under GPLv3 or later and MPLv2 or later.verapdf.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Manual review tools
- Noverapdf.org · read 21 Sep 2026
- Metadata fixing
- The Metadata Fixer makes a limited set of metadata repairs, including removing an incorrect PDF/A flag or repairing broken XMP when that is the only obstacle to a legitimate flag.verapdf.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Mobile testing
- Noverapdf.org · read 21 Sep 2026
- PDF/A validation
- The software validates all PDF/A parts and conformance levels.verapdf.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- PDF/UA validation
- The site says veraPDF supports machine checks for PDF/UA parts 1 and 2.verapdf.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Policy checking
- The Policy Checker evaluates PDF Features Reports against institutional policy profiles.verapdf.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- veraPDF is an open source validator for PDF/A and PDF/UA conformance.verapdf.org · read 9 Oct 2026
