A PDF server is a piece of software installed and running on a local-area network server to convert files of various formats into PDF.

A PDF server essentially is a virtual printer. Therefore, once it is installed, a new printer shows up on the LAN server. Users with access may send any documents to this server. This will cause the server to convert them to PDF and save them to a local hard drive or a specified network storage location.

A PDF server has all the advantages of a virtual printer. First, it can help convert almost any source file, as long as it has an associated editor or viewer with a print function. Second, a PDF server is very convenient for end users. Converting documents using a PDF server is as easy as printing them to a conventional printer.

A print server also has two additional advantages. The first one is centralized configuration. To change conversion settings, an administrator need only modify them on the server as opposed to each individual computer. The other advantage of a PDF server is that the conversion function is moved from the end users・PCs to a network print server. This is important, especially if the size and/or number of documents to be processed is large. Moving the conversion function to the server frees up user computer resources, thereby making users more efficient.

Currently, the market offers both some PDF server products and software that may be run on a server as well as local machines. The former are usually high-cost items priced at hundreds of dollars. The latter are more flexible and are priced depending on the number of licenses purchased.