9 APIs for Automated PDF Generation (in 2021)
The complete list of PDF generation APIs and toolkits to check out.
Whether or not you code, there are a number of tools that can make it quick and easy to generate PDFs from your app, spreadsheet, or workflow.
Some come with visual builders to help you—or your non-tech colleagues—design dynamic templates. Others simply take HTML or JSON and turn it into PDFs.
Whatever your requirements, preferences, or budget, this list provides a starting point for researching the best PDF generation API for your use case.
1. Export SDK
Built by a team that was continually adding PDF generation to client projects, Export SDK is an all-in-one solution designed with collaboration and a quick setup in mind.
One of its standout feature is an intuitive drag and drop visual editor and robust library of pre-built templates for common use cases.
Free plan?
Yes! Includes 250 pages per month and unlimited users.
Visual template builder?
Yes! Drag and drop builder with table support, component library, and pre-built templates.
Integrations
REST API, Javascript SDK, and Zapier.
2. PDF Monkey
PDF Monkey provides a bare-bones solution with simple HTML and CSS-based template builder and REST API.
The lack of a drag and drop builder means that developers will still need to create the templates. Though simple, PDF Monkey does offer the most generous free tier.
Free plan?
Yes! Includes 300 pages per month.
Visual template builder?
No. HTML and CSS-based editor with real-time preview.
Integrations
Zapier, Integromat, and REST API.
3. APITemplate
A multi-purpose solution that offers both image and PDF generation. APITemplate prides itself on being a no-code first solution for generating social media images, banners, and PDFs. Like Export SDK, it provides a drag and drop template editor with preview mode.
Free plan?
Yes! Includes 50 pages/images per month.
Visual template builder?
Yes! WYSIWYG with HTML and markdown modes.
Integrations
Zapier, Integromat, N8n, and REST API.
4. Hybiscus
Hybiscus takes a unique approach to generating PDFs. Rather than using a visual builder, you declare your styles within the JSON blob you send to the API. Hybiscus provides preset templates, themes, colors, fonts, and components that you can add to your JSON.
Free plan?
Yes! Includes 100 pages per month.
Visual template builder?
No. You preview templates by sending an API request.
Integrations
REST API.
5. DynamicDocs API
Created with file sizes in mind, DynamicDocs provides a LaTeX based editor that also enables you to incorporate conditional logic and functions into your templates. One of its more unique features is a plugin that enables you to generate new PDFs directly from Excel.
Free plan?
Yes! Includes 200 documents per month.
Visual template builder?
No! LaTeX based markup with real-time preview.
Integrations
REST API and Excel plugin.
6. HTML2PDF
No frills, simple API for converting HTML to PDFs. Just pass the API a URL or HTML and receive a PDF.
Free plan?
No. Plans start at $20 per month
Visual template builder?
No. Send an API request with HTML, receive PDF.
Integrations
REST API.
7. PDFBlade
Very similar to HTML2PDF but with a few more features. PDFBlade adds a nice dashboard for tracking requests, Amazon S3 storage, and 15 different styling options that can be passed during calls to format your rendered PDF.
Free plan?
No. Pricing starts at $2 for 50 credits.
Visual template builder?
No. Send API requests with HTML or a URL and receive PDF.
Integrations
REST API.
8. PDF Generator API
The tool with the most comprehensive list of integrations. PDF Generator API provides a drag and drop editor that is reminiscent of Microsoft Word. While the company doesn’t offer a free tier, it does provide a 3-month sandbox to test its service.
Free plan?
No. Starts at $59 per month.
Visual template builder?
Yes. XY coordinate-based drag and drop editor.
Integrations
REST API, Javascript SDK, PHP SDK, Java SDK, Python SDK, Ruby SDK, Zapier, Integromat, Bubble, Wix Velo, and Creatio.
9. Paperplane
Another simple service that is very similar to HTML2PDF, Paperplane is a cloud API that lets you easily convert web pages to PDFs. Though it doesn’t offer any additional features beyond HTML2PDF, Paperplane does have more comprehensive docs.
Free plan?
No. Starts at $29 per month.
Visual template builder?
No. Send an API request with HTML, receive PDF.
Integrations
REST API.
Export SDK helps you easily design and generate PDFs with a visual template builder, REST API, Javascript SDK, and no-code integrations.
Create a free account and generate up to 250 pages per month.
