By Jenefey Aaron

Updated on 2025-03-14

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PDF Editor Tips

Ghostscript Free Download: Safe Sources & Setup Tips

By Jenefey Aaron

2025-03-14 / Edit PDF

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If you are looking to work with PostScript (PS) or PDF files, Ghostscript is a powerful tool that can simplify many tasks related to file conversion, printing, and processing. As an open-source software, Ghostscript offers free functionality to users worldwide.

In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about what GPL Ghostscript, including its features is, how to install it on both Windows and Mac, and how to use it for PDF tasks. Additionally, we'll explore some excellent alternatives, such as Tenorshare PDNob.

Part 1. What is Ghostscript

Part 2. How to Download and Install Ghostscript on Windows/Mac

Part 3: How to Use Ghostscript for PDF Tasks

Part 4: Best Ghostscript Alternatives for AI-Powered PDF Editing

Part 5: FAQs about Ghostscript

Part 1. What is Ghostscript

Ghostscript is a versatile software suite used primarily for interpreting PostScript (PS) and Portable Document Format (PDF) files. It functions as a file converter, printer driver, and Ghostscript PDF processor. In simpler terms, it helps users view, convert, and manipulate these types of files, making it an essential tool for anyone working with digital documents.

Ghostscript is widely used for tasks such as:

Converting documents from PostScript to PDF or vice versa.
Printing documents in various formats.
Processing PDF files for editing, compression, and other adjustments.

Key Features of Ghostscript

PostScript and PDF Interpretation: Ghostscript can interpret and render both PostScript and PDF files, making it incredibly versatile for users working with these formats.
File Conversion: It allows for the conversion of PostScript to PDF and vice versa. Additionally, you can convert PDF files to various image formats, including PNG and JPEG.
Cross-Platform Support: Ghostscript is compatible with multiple operating systems such as Windows, Linux, and macOS, offering users a flexible, cross-platform experience.
High-Performance Rendering: With its commercial-grade rendering capabilities, Ghostscript delivers fast and high-quality printing and document display results.

GPL Ghostscript: History and Licensing

Ghostscript has been an essential tool for developers and end-users alike since its creation. It is open-source software distributed under the GNU General Public License (GPL). This means it is free for use, modification, and distribution, provided you adhere to the terms of the license. Organizations can also opt for a commercial license if they require proprietary use of the software.

Part 2. How to Download and Install Ghostscript on Windows/Mac

Ghostscript is a widely used interpreter for PostScript and PDF files. Below is a step-by-step guide to downloading and installing Ghostscript for Windows and Mac.

1. How to Download Ghostscript

Open your web browser and go to the official Ghostscript download page.
Choose the appropriate license. Ghostscript offers two versions: AGPL (free for personal use) and Commercial (for businesses). Most users should select the AGPL version.
Select the correct version for your operating system.

Note:

If you are using Windows, choose either 64-bit (gsxxxxw64.exe) or 32-bit (gsxxxxw32.exe), depending on your system architecture. Ghostscript for mac users, Ghostscript is installed using Homebrew or MacPorts, so no direct download is needed.

2. How to Install Ghostscript on Windows

Download the installer file by clicking on the appropriate link from the Ghostscript download page. The downloaded file will be named something like gs9550w64.exe (for 64-bit) or gs9550w32.exe (for 32-bit), where "9550" represents the version number.
Open the Downloads folder on your computer and double-click the installer file (.exe). This will launch the installation setup.
Follow the installation prompts. Click Next to proceed, review the license agreement, and select I Agree. Choose the destination folder for installation (you can keep the default location).
Click the Install button to begin the installation. Wait for the process to complete.
Once the installation finishes, click Finish to exit the setup. Ghostscript is now installed on your Windows PC and ready for use.

3. How to Install Ghostscript on Mac

Method 1: Using Homebrew

Open Terminal on your Mac. You can do this by pressing Command + Space, typing Terminal, and pressing Enter.
Type the following command and press Enter to install Ghostscript using Homebrew:
brew install ghostscript
Homebrew will automatically download and install Ghostscript. Once the process is complete, Ghostscript will be ready to use.

Method 2: Using MacPorts

Open Terminal on your Mac.
Type the following command and press Enter to install Ghostscript using MacPorts:
sudo port install ghostscript
When prompted, enter your Mac administrator password and press Enter.
MacPorts will handle the installation automatically. Once completed, Ghostscript is installed and ready for use.

Part 3: How to Use Ghostscript for PDF Tasks

Ghostscript is a powerful command-line tool that can handle various PDF tasks efficiently. It is commonly used for viewing, converting, compressing, and rasterizing PDF files. Below are some essential operations using Ghostscript for PDF tasks.

1. Viewing a PDF File

You can use Ghostscript to open and view a PDF file with the following command:

gs -dSAFER -dBATCH document.pdf

Note: You will be prompted to press the return key between pages.

2. Compressing a PDF (Ghostscript Compress PDF)

Ghostscript allows you to reduce the file size of a PDF by optimizing its content. The following command compresses a PDF using different quality settings:

gs -sDEVICE=pdfwrite -dCompatibilityLevel=1.4 -dPDFSETTINGS=/screen \

-dNOPAUSE -dBATCH -sOutputFile=compressed.pdf input.pdf

Here, -dPDFSETTINGS=/screen applies lower quality suitable for screen viewing. Other options include:

/screen – lowest quality, best compression
/ebook – medium quality
/printer – higher quality for printing
/prepress – highest quality for publishing

3. Converting a PostScript File to PDF

If you have a PostScript (PS) file and need to convert it to a PDF, use the ps2pdf command:

ps2pdf file.ps output.pdf

This command generates a PDF version of the PS file without altering its content significantly.

4. Converting a PDF to an Image File

Ghostscript can also be used to convert a PDF into an image format such as PNG or JPEG:

gs -dSAFER -dBATCH -dNOPAUSE -sDEVICE=png16m -sOutputFile=output.png input.pdf

To generate a grayscale image, use:

gs -dSAFER -dBATCH -dNOPAUSE -sDEVICE=pnggray -sOutputFile=output_gray.png input.pdf

5. Rasterizing a PDF Document

To rasterize a PDF and save each page as a separate image file:

gs -dSAFER -dBATCH -dNOPAUSE -sDEVICE=pgmraw -r150 \

-dTextAlphaBits=4 -sOutputFile='page-%00d.pgm' input.pdf

This command saves each page as a numbered .pgm file at 150 dpi resolution.

Part 4: Best Ghostscript Alternatives for AI-Powered PDF Editing

While Ghostscript is a powerful tool for PDF processing, there are other software options that offer even more advanced features and enhanced usability. One such alternative is Tenorshare PDNob , which combines AI-powered capabilities with robust editing tools for a seamless PDF management experience. This software is designed to handle a wide variety of tasks, from basic editing to complex document conversions.

Key Features of Tenorshare PDNob PDF Editor

AI-Powered Reading & Analysis: DeepSeek AI enables fast PDF reading, summarization, and insights.
Broad Format Support: Converts PDFs to 30+ formats, including Word, Excel, PPT, and EPUB.
Advanced Editing: 100+ tools for text, image, watermark, and background edits.
Rich Annotations: 200+ tools like highlights, stickers, and stamps.
High-Accuracy OCR: Features 99% OCR accuracy.

How to Edit & Convert PDF with Ease

Open PDNob PDF Editor, then click on the "Open PDF" button to import any PDF you’ve downloaded.

Click the “Edit” button on the top toolbar, then select the text you want to modify. A text box will appear, allowing you to change the text, font, style, size, and color.

To add new text, click “Add Text” under the “Edit” section and place it where needed.
To insert images, click the “Add Image” button and choose the image file to add.

Once you have made all the necessary edits, click on the "Save" button in the top left corner.

Part 5: FAQs about Ghostscript

What is Ghostscript used for?

Ghostscript is used to process and convert PostScript (PS) and PDF files. It can render, print, compress PDFs, and extract text or images.

Is Typeset.io free to use?

Typeset.io offers both free and paid plans. The free version includes basic writing and formatting tools, while the premium version adds features like citation management and plagiarism checks.

What is the difference between Ghostscript and GhostPDL?

Ghostscript handles PostScript and PDF files, while GhostPDL supports additional formats like PCL and XPS, making it suitable for broader print processing.

Is Ghostscript open-source?

Yes, Ghostscript is open-source and licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL). There is also an option to purchase a commercial license for proprietary use.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Ghostscript is an excellent option for anyone working with PostScript or PDF files. Whether you're looking to convert, compress, or manipulate PDF files, Ghostscript provides powerful tools for all your needs.

If you're seeking more advanced features, such as AI-powered editing and OCR capabilities, consider exploring alternatives like Tenorshare PDNob . This software offers a wide range of tools that can further enhance your PDF handling experience.

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