Top Ghostscript Alternative: Finding Your Ideal PDF & PostScript Solution
Ghostscript is a well-established and powerful interpreter for PostScript and PDF files, widely used for viewing, converting, and printing these document formats. Its versatility and cross-platform compatibility have made it a go-to for many developers and users. However, depending on specific needs – whether it's a simpler interface, specialized conversion features, or a particular operating system focus – exploring a Ghostscript alternative can be highly beneficial. This guide delves into some of the best alternatives available, offering solutions for various requirements.
Top Ghostscript Alternatives
While Ghostscript excels in its core functions, a diverse ecosystem of tools offers different strengths. From web-based converters to dedicated document viewers and specialized Windows applications, there’s a perfect fit for almost every PostScript and PDF handling task.
Evince
Evince is a free and open-source document viewer for Linux, making it an excellent Ghostscript alternative for users looking for a dedicated viewing application. It supports multiple document formats including PDF, Postscript, djvu, tiff, dvi, XPS, SyncTex, and comic book archives (cbr, cbz, cb7, cbt). Its lightweight nature and PDF annotation features make it a strong contender for those who primarily need to view and interact with documents.
DocsPal
DocsPal stands out as a free, web-based online file converter, offering a convenient Ghostscript alternative for quick conversions without software installation. It supports a wide range of formats including documents, video, audio, images, e-books, and archives. Key features include the ability to convert PDF to ePub, Excel, HTML, and Word documents, as well as converting Word documents to PDF, making it highly versatile for various conversion needs.
PS2PDF.com
PS2PDF.com is a free, web-based tool specifically designed to convert Postscript compatible files to Acrobat (PDF) compatible files. As a direct Ghostscript alternative for this specific conversion task, it offers a straightforward online solution. Users can simply upload their Postscript files and convert them, making it ideal for quick, single-purpose conversions without needing to install any software.
AVS Document Converter
AVS Document Converter is a commercial Windows application that serves as a robust Ghostscript alternative for viewing and converting various document types. It offers quick and easy conversions, with features like PDF encryption, the ability to convert PDF to Word and Word documents to PDF, and functionalities to split and merge PDF files. This makes it a comprehensive tool for Windows users needing more advanced document manipulation capabilities.
PS to PDF
PS to PDF is a commercial Windows application offering high-performance conversions from PostScript and Encapsulated PostScript to Portable Document Format (PDF). For users primarily focused on fast and efficient PostScript to PDF conversion on Windows, this software provides a dedicated and optimized Ghostscript alternative, ensuring reliable output for professional and personal use.
Ultimately, the best Ghostscript alternative depends on your specific use case. Whether you need a simple viewer, a versatile online converter, or a robust desktop application with advanced features, the options above provide excellent starting points to find the perfect fit for your document handling needs.