Home / JavaScript / pdf.js

mozilla/pdf.js

PDF Reader in JavaScript

JavaScript ◇ developer-tools Apache-2.0

View on GitHub Website

★53.9KSTARS

⑂10.7KFORKS

!428ISSUES

🏆#194GLOBAL RANK

🔥4DAYS TRENDING

🚀

Maintainer Growth Kit for pdf.js

Claim this project, add your verified backlink badge to your README, and download milestone cards.

Claim Repo

Star History

Continuous Observations

Interactive star growth chart for mozilla/pdf.js

Momentum

+1.3K

STARS · LAST 30 DAYS

PER DAY

#17

MOST-STARRED JavaScript

Window	7 days	30 days	90 days
Stars gained	+315	+1.3K	+4.1K
Per day	45	45	45
Forks gained	+53	+214	+535

pdf.js gained 1.3K stars in the last 30 days, about 45 a day, and now has 53.9K. It is about 15 years old and has averaged roughly 3.6K stars a year. It ranks #17 among JavaScript repositories and #194 across all languages on GitHubRepo.

Trending Record

pdf.js has maintained a continuous presence across global trending indexes, peaking at #648. Below is the 30-day activity profile:

💡 Overview

pdf.js is an open-source project written in JavaScript: PDF Reader in JavaScript.

Engineered for speed, consistency, and developer ease, it solves common hurdles in JavaScript. It provides clear interfaces, comprehensive configuration options, and seamless integration with existing tools across the modern development stack.

⚡ Key Features

Optimized execution pipeline written in JavaScript for predictable speed.

Zero-friction configuration with comprehensive sensible defaults out of the box.

Cross-platform runtime support across Linux, macOS, and Windows environments.

Strong typing and modular architecture designed for easy extension and maintainability.

Standardized CLI and API interfaces for smooth integration into CI/CD workflows.

Active community maintenance with regular dependency updates and security patches.

📥 Installation

terminal

$ npm install pdf.js

$ npm install pdf.js # or: pnpm add pdf.js

> npm install pdf.js

⚙ System Requirements

Platforms

• macOS
• Linux
• Windows

Runtime & Dependencies

Node.js >= 18 or modern Evergreen browser

Architecture

x86_64, ARM64 (Apple Silicon & Graviton)

🧠 How It Works

pdf.js coordinates its core functionality through a modular JavaScript pipeline. It parses configuration parameters, validates inputs, and resolves dependencies asynchronously. By minimizing runtime overhead and keeping allocations localized, it delivers predictable performance in both local development environments and automated production workloads.

🎯 Production Use Cases

Production System Integration

Embed pdf.js into JavaScript backend services to handle core application logic.

CI/CD Automated Pipelines

Run automated validation, builds, and integration suites during deployments.

Developer Tooling & Workflows

Accelerate developer onboarding with pre-configured project utilities.

Open Source Extension

Fork and customize internal modules under the repository's open Apache-2.0 license.

🚀 Getting Started

Install pdf.js using your package manager: `npm install pdf.js`

Initialize your project workspace or configuration file for pdf.js.

Import pdf.js into your codebase or invoke it directly from your terminal.

Execute your test suite or run `pdf.js --help` to verify successful setup.

👍 Strengths

Active community backing with 53,942 GitHub stars and verified adoption.

Permissive open-source distribution under the Apache-2.0 license.

Built in JavaScript for high execution speed and developer familiarity.

Cross-platform compatibility across modern Linux, macOS, and Windows environments.

Clean modular design allowing flexible configuration and pipeline integration.

⚠️ Considerations

Requires familiarity with JavaScript and modern CLI workflows.

Ecosystem extensions may require manual configuration depending on environment constraints.

Active development roadmap means breaking API changes may occur across major versions.

⇄ Alternatives & Direct Competitors

affaan-m/ECC ★ 268.3K JavaScript

The agent harness performance optimization system. Skills, instincts, memory, security, and research-first development for Claude Code, Codex, Opencode, Cursor and beyond.

Compare ↗

react/react ★ 250.8K JavaScript

The library for web and native user interfaces.

Compare ↗

trekhleb/javascript-algorithms ★ 196.8K JavaScript

📝 Algorithms and data structures implemented in JavaScript with explanations and links to further readings

Compare ↗

DietrichGebert/ponytail ★ 146.9K JavaScript

Makes your AI agent think like the laziest senior dev in the room. The best code is the code you never wrote.

Compare ↗

👥 Who Should Use This

Developers and engineering teams building with JavaScript, seeking reliable, tested, and actively maintained tooling for production workloads.

🏆 Nearby in the Rankings

mozilla/pdf.js is currently ranked #194 by stars across every repository tracked on GitHubRepo. These are adjacent projects:

Rank	Repository	Language	Stars	Action
#189	PowerShell/PowerShell	C#	★ 55.5K	Compare ↗
#190	TryGhost/Ghost	TypeScript	★ 55.4K	Compare ↗
#191	aaif-goose/goose	Rust	★ 54.7K	Compare ↗
#192	wagoodman/dive	Go	★ 54.6K	Compare ↗
#193	ggml-org/whisper.cpp	C++	★ 54K	Compare ↗
#194	mozilla/pdf.js This Project	JavaScript	★ 53.9K
#195	heygen-com/hyperframes	TypeScript	★ 53.7K	Compare ↗
#196	router-for-me/CLIProxyAPI	Go	★ 53.3K	Compare ↗
#197	jesseduffield/lazydocker	Go	★ 53K	Compare ↗
#198	expo/expo	TypeScript	★ 52.5K	Compare ↗
#199	run-llama/llama_index	Python	★ 52.3K	Compare ↗

Frequently Asked Questions

What does pdf.js do? +

PDF Reader in JavaScript

What language is pdf.js written in? +

The primary language is JavaScript. Topics include: software.

Is pdf.js actively maintained? +

Yes, the last recorded push was on Sep 25, 2026 with 428 open issues being tracked.

How many stars does pdf.js have? +

pdf.js has 53,948 stars and 10,691 forks on GitHub.

How does pdf.js rank among GitHub repositories? +

With 53,948 stars, mozilla/pdf.js is ranked #194 globally across all repositories tracked on GitHubRepo and #17 among JavaScript projects.

What license is pdf.js distributed under? +

The repository reports a Apache-2.0 license. Always verify the repository LICENSE file for legal terms.

👑 MAINTAINER VERIFICATION OPEN

Claim this repository

Are you the creator or maintainer of mozilla/pdf.js? Claiming your repository unlocks priority video reel generation, verified creator status, and milestone achievement announcements sent to your inbox.

Claim pdf.js ↗ Free & instant verification

⭐ Featured on GitHubRepo.cloud Badge

Add our official badge to your repository's README.md. It gives your visitors proof of recognition, real-time star velocity tracking, and builds a permanent verified backlink.

GitHub Markdown (Paste into your README.md)

✓ Recommended

markdown

[![Featured on GitHubRepo.cloud](https://githubrepo.cloud/badge/mozilla/pdf.js.svg?metric=featured)](https://githubrepo.cloud/repo/mozilla/pdf.js?utm_source=readme_badge)

[![Featured on GitHubRepo.cloud](https://githubrepo.cloud/badge/mozilla/pdf.js.svg?metric=featured)](https://githubrepo.cloud/repo/mozilla/pdf.js?utm_source=readme_badge)

Full Badge Trio (Featured + Stars + Global Rank)

markdown

[![Featured on GitHubRepo.cloud](https://githubrepo.cloud/badge/mozilla/pdf.js.svg?metric=featured)](https://githubrepo.cloud/repo/mozilla/pdf.js?utm_source=readme_badge) [![GitHubRepo Stars](https://githubrepo.cloud/badge/mozilla/pdf.js.svg?metric=stars)](https://githubrepo.cloud/repo/mozilla/pdf.js?utm_source=readme_badge) [![Global Rank](https://githubrepo.cloud/badge/mozilla/pdf.js.svg?metric=rank)](https://githubrepo.cloud/repo/mozilla/pdf.js?utm_source=readme_badge)

[![Featured on GitHubRepo.cloud](https://githubrepo.cloud/badge/mozilla/pdf.js.svg?metric=featured)](https://githubrepo.cloud/repo/mozilla/pdf.js?utm_source=readme_badge) [![GitHubRepo Stars](https://githubrepo.cloud/badge/mozilla/pdf.js.svg?metric=stars)](https://githubrepo.cloud/repo/mozilla/pdf.js?utm_source=readme_badge) [![Global Rank](https://githubrepo.cloud/badge/mozilla/pdf.js.svg?metric=rank)](https://githubrepo.cloud/repo/mozilla/pdf.js?utm_source=readme_badge)

HTML (For websites & documentation)

html

<a href="https://githubrepo.cloud/repo/mozilla/pdf.js?utm_source=readme_badge"><img src="https://githubrepo.cloud/badge/mozilla/pdf.js.svg?metric=featured" alt="Featured on GitHubRepo.cloud" height="26"></a>

<a href="https://githubrepo.cloud/repo/mozilla/pdf.js?utm_source=readme_badge"><img src="https://githubrepo.cloud/badge/mozilla/pdf.js.svg?metric=featured" alt="Featured on GitHubRepo.cloud" height="26"></a>

Download SVG Badge Download PNG Card (1200×630) Share on X / Twitter ↗ Share on LinkedIn ↗

🏆 Auto-Generated Achievement Cards

Official milestone cards certified by GitHubRepo.cloud data. Download high-resolution visuals to share your community traction on LinkedIn, X, or your repository discussion boards.

Official achievement card for mozilla/pdf.js

Download PNG Card (1200×630) Download SVG Vector Post Milestone to X ↗ Post to LinkedIn ↗

Markdown Image for README / Blog

markdown

[![Top 1% GitHub Repository This Week on GitHubRepo.cloud](https://githubrepo.cloud/cards/mozilla/pdf.js/achievement.svg?type=top1)](https://githubrepo.cloud/repo/mozilla/pdf.js?utm_source=achievement_card)

[![Top 1% GitHub Repository This Week on GitHubRepo.cloud](https://githubrepo.cloud/cards/mozilla/pdf.js/achievement.svg?type=top1)](https://githubrepo.cloud/repo/mozilla/pdf.js?utm_source=achievement_card)

🌐 Multi-Platform Developer Community Drafts

High-converting, non-spammy promotion drafts crafted specifically for engineering communities (LinkedIn, Reddit, Hacker News, Dev.to, X, and Threads). Copy and customize for your project launch or updates.

💼

LinkedIn

Why pdf.js is replacing paid subscriptions for engineering teams

Stop paying $50+/month for locked SaaS tools.

Over 53,948 developers have starred mozilla/pdf.js, an impressive JavaScript open-source project designed to PDF Reader in JavaScript.

Key Engineering Advantages:
• 100% Local-First: Complete data privacy with zero tracking or telemetry.
• Zero Subscription Costs: No paywalls, per-seat fees, or API markups.
• Complete Customization: Native open-source architecture you can fork, inspect, and deploy anywhere.
• Proven Adoption: 53,948 GitHub stars and 10,691 forks.

If you're looking to streamline your engineering workflows without ballooning software expenses, this is worth checking out.

👉 Full star velocity and architectural report: https://githubrepo.cloud/repo/mozilla/pdf.js
⭐ GitHub Repository: https://github.com/mozilla/pdf.js

#OpenSource #SoftwareEngineering #DeveloperTools #Tech #Programming #JavaScript

🤖

Reddit (r/opensource, r/webdev, r/selfhosted)

Show r/opensource: pdf.js – A free, self-hosted tool that lets you PDF Reader in JavaScript

Hey everyone,

I wanted to share an interesting open-source project called **pdf.js** (https://github.com/mozilla/pdf.js) that has been picking up heavy momentum lately (53,948 stars).

### What problem does it solve?
Many existing tools in this domain require expensive cloud plans or store your data on third-party servers. pdf.js was built with a local-first philosophy, allowing developers to PDF Reader in JavaScript without recurring subscription costs or privacy compromises.

### Tech Stack & Details:
- **Language:** JavaScript
- **License:** Apache-2.0
- **GitHub:** [mozilla/pdf.js](https://github.com/mozilla/pdf.js)
- **Live Star Momentum Tracker:** [https://githubrepo.cloud/repo/mozilla/pdf.js](https://githubrepo.cloud/repo/mozilla/pdf.js)

Has anyone here tested this in production or integrated it into existing pipelines? Would love to hear your experience and feedback!

🟧

Hacker News (Show HN)

Show HN: pdf.js – PDF Reader in JavaScript

Hi HN,

pdf.js is an open-source JavaScript project designed to PDF Reader in JavaScript.

Rather than relying on closed cloud endpoints, it executes locally on your own machine, providing predictable latency, total privacy, and full control.

Repository: https://github.com/mozilla/pdf.js
Documentation & Metrics: https://githubrepo.cloud/repo/mozilla/pdf.js

Feedback and PRs are welcome.

✍️

Dev.to / Hashnode Tags: opensource, javascript, devtools, webdev

This GitHub repo replaces a $50 a month tool! Stop paying expensive software subscriptions. Meet pdf.js (53,948 GitHub Stars)

---
title: This GitHub repo replaces a $50 a month tool! Stop paying expensive software subscriptions. Meet pdf.js
published: true
tags: opensource, javascript, devtools, programming
---

## Stop Paying Software Subscriptions For This

Finding high-quality, production-ready open source alternatives to expensive proprietary software can save engineering teams thousands of dollars every year.

Today, we're looking at **[mozilla/pdf.js](https://github.com/mozilla/pdf.js)**, a rapidly rising repository with **53,948 GitHub stars** and **10,691 forks**.

### What is pdf.js?

> PDF Reader in JavaScript

Written in **JavaScript**, pdf.js runs directly on your local workstation or private server, keeping your data secure and eliminating recurring license fees.

### Key Highlights
- **High Performance:** Lightweight, reliable, and built in JavaScript.
- **Privacy & Security:** Complete ownership of your environment and data.
- **Growing Momentum:** Ranked **#194** globally across tracked repositories on [GitHubRepo](https://githubrepo.cloud/repo/mozilla/pdf.js).

### Quick Start
To get started locally:

```bash
git clone https://github.com/mozilla/pdf.js.git
cd pdf.js
```

Check out the full repository and star history analytics here:
- **GitHub:** [mozilla/pdf.js](https://github.com/mozilla/pdf.js)
- **Star Velocity Tracker:** [pdf.js on GitHubRepo.cloud](https://githubrepo.cloud/repo/mozilla/pdf.js)

𝕏

X / Twitter Communities

Thread / Community Post for pdf.js

Developers are sleeping on this GitHub repo 👇

mozilla/pdf.js (53,948 ⭐) replaces expensive monthly software subscriptions with 100% free open source code.

⚡ What it does: PDF Reader in JavaScript
💻 Built with: JavaScript
🔒 100% local execution & privacy

Check live star velocity and benchmarks:
https://githubrepo.cloud/repo/mozilla/pdf.js

#opensource #developer #coding #tech #programming

🧵

Threads Topics

Topic Discussion: Open Source & Developer Tools

This GitHub repo replaces a $50/month tool! 🚀

If you want to save hours of manual work and stop paying subscriptions, check out mozilla/pdf.js.

It already has over 53,948 stars and lets you PDF Reader in JavaScript.

Drop a comment if you've tried it, or check the full star momentum report:
https://githubrepo.cloud/repo/mozilla/pdf.js

From our network

mozilla/pdf.js

Star History

Momentum

Trending Record

💡 Overview

⚡ Key Features

📥 Installation

⚙ System Requirements

Platforms

Runtime & Dependencies

Architecture

🧠 How It Works

🎯 Production Use Cases

Production System Integration

CI/CD Automated Pipelines

Developer Tooling & Workflows

Open Source Extension

🚀 Getting Started

👍 Strengths

⚠️ Considerations

⇄ Alternatives & Direct Competitors

👥 Who Should Use This

🏆 Nearby in the Rankings

Frequently Asked Questions

Claim this repository

⭐ Featured on GitHubRepo.cloud Badge

GitHub Markdown (Paste into your README.md)

Full Badge Trio (Featured + Stars + Global Rank)

HTML (For websites & documentation)

🏆 Auto-Generated Achievement Cards

Markdown Image for README / Blog

🌐 Multi-Platform Developer Community Drafts

Built something? Put it in front of millions of developers.