Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups
Register | Login

HTML PDF API VS Firefox PDF Viewer (PDF.js)

Compare HTML PDF API VS Firefox PDF Viewer (PDF.js) and see what are their differences

DocRaptor
As the only API powered by the Prince HTML-to-PDF engine, DocRaptor provides the best support for complex PDFs with powerful support for headers, page breaks, page numbers, flexbox, watermarks, accessible PDFs, and much more featured
Contents:
  1. » Base Details
  2. » Reviews
  3. » Alternatives

HTML PDF API logo HTML PDF API

Easily generate PDF documents from HTML code with our powerful API

Firefox PDF Viewer (PDF.js) logo Firefox PDF Viewer (PDF.js)

PDF Viewer (aka pdf.js) is a new revolutionary extension using web standard technologies that...
  • HTML PDF API Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-12-13
  • Firefox PDF Viewer (PDF.js) Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-07-27

HTML PDF API features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    HTML PDF API provides a straightforward interface for converting HTML content to PDFs, making it accessible for developers of all skill levels.
  • High-Quality Output
    The service generates high-fidelity PDF documents that accurately capture the design and functionality of the original HTML.
  • Customization
    Offers extensive customization options, including the ability to set page size, margins, headers, footers, and custom CSS.
  • API Integration
    Easily integrates with various programming languages and environments through RESTful API calls, enhancing its versatility in different projects.
  • Cloud-Based Service
    Being a cloud-based service, it eliminates the need for local installations and maintenance, reducing the burden on local resources.
  • Security
    Supports HTTPS, ensuring that data transmitted to and from the service is encrypted and secure.

Possible disadvantages of HTML PDF API

  • Cost
    Depending on your usage, HTML PDF API can become expensive, particularly for large-scale operations requiring high volume or premium features.
  • Dependency on Internet Connectivity
    Being a cloud-based service, it requires a stable internet connection, which can be a limitation in environments with poor connectivity.
  • Latency
    Network latency can affect the speed of PDF generation, which may impact time-sensitive applications.
  • Rate Limiting
    Usage may be subject to rate limiting, potentially hindering the performance of high-demand applications or requiring additional cost to increase limits.
  • Privacy Concerns
    Sensitive data needs to be transmitted to a third-party server for processing, which could raise privacy and compliance concerns depending on jurisdiction and data sensitivity.
  • Potential Downtime
    As with any cloud-based service, there is a risk of downtime or service disruptions due to server issues or maintenance.

Firefox PDF Viewer (PDF.js) features and specs

  • Open Source
    PDF.js is an open-source project, meaning it is free to use and its code can be reviewed and modified by anyone.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    PDF.js works on multiple platforms including Windows, macOS, Linux, and can be used in any modern web browser.
  • Integration Ease
    Easily integrates into various web projects with minimal setup, enhancing the user's ability to display PDFs directly in the browser.
  • Actively Maintained
    As an open-source project backed by Mozilla, PDF.js benefits from consistent updates and improvements, ensuring better performance and security.
  • Offline Functionality
    Being a client-side JavaScript library, PDF.js can display PDFs without the need for an internet connection once the library is loaded.
  • Customization
    Developers have the freedom to customize and extend the capabilities of PDF.js to tailor it to specific application needs.

Possible disadvantages of Firefox PDF Viewer (PDF.js)

  • Performance Issues
    PDF.js can be less performant on larger or more complex PDF files, leading to slower rendering times compared to native PDF viewers.
  • Limited Advanced Features
    For users requiring advanced PDF functionalities such as editing or form filling, PDF.js lacks comprehensive support compared to dedicated PDF software.
  • Rendering Inconsistencies
    There can be inconsistencies in rendering complex PDFs, especially those with intricate layouts, fonts, or graphics.
  • Browser Dependency
    Although it's cross-platform, the performance and feature set can vary depending on the browser, with some browsers offering less optimal support.
  • Learning Curve
    Developers may encounter a learning curve when first integrating PDF.js, particularly when customizing its features or troubleshooting specific issues.
  • Security Concerns
    As with any client-side script, there can be security concerns if the library is outdated or not properly configured, potentially exposing vulnerabilities.

Analysis of HTML PDF API

Overall verdict

  • Overall, HTML PDF API is a solid choice for those seeking a reliable and powerful tool for HTML to PDF conversion. It balances advanced features with ease of use, making it suitable for both technical and less technical users.

Why this product is good

  • HTML PDF API (htmlpdfapi.com) is considered good by many users due to its ease of use, reliability, and ability to convert HTML content to PDF format efficiently. It supports a variety of advanced features like custom headers/footers, PDF encryption, and more, which are crucial for many applications. Furthermore, it is valued for providing an API that integrates well with different programming languages and environments, making it accessible for developers across platforms.

Recommended for

  • Developers needing to automate PDF generation from HTML templates.
  • Businesses requiring dynamic report generation in PDF format.
  • Web applications that need to provide downloadable content or invoices as PDF files.
  • Educational institutions looking to convert web content to PDFs for offline access.

Analysis of Firefox PDF Viewer (PDF.js)

Overall verdict

  • The Firefox PDF Viewer (PDF.js) is generally considered to be a good tool for viewing PDFs. It provides a convenient and efficient way to access PDF documents directly within the browser, eliminating the need for external software. Its open-source nature and ongoing support from Mozilla ensure that it remains up-to-date with the latest web standards and security features.

Why this product is good

  • Firefox PDF Viewer, also known as PDF.js, is a web-based PDF viewer that is integrated into modern versions of Firefox. It is developed by Mozilla and designed to provide a fast and reliable way to view PDF files directly in the browser without needing additional plugins. By leveraging web technologies like HTML5, it offers a seamless and consistent user experience across different platforms. The viewer is highly regarded for its speed, ease of use, and open-source nature, which allows for community contributions and continuous improvements.

Recommended for

    The Firefox PDF Viewer is recommended for users who require a reliable and fast way to view PDFs within their browser, particularly those who prefer open-source solutions. It is ideal for users who do not want to install standalone PDF software or plugins and those who value seamless integration within their web browsing experience. It is also suitable for developers and contributors interested in web-based document viewing technologies.

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to HTML PDF API and Firefox PDF Viewer (PDF.js))

HTML PDF API

Firefox PDF Viewer (PDF.js)

HTML To PDF
100 100%
HTML To PDF
0% 0
PDF Tools
67 67%
PDF Tools
33% 33
PDF Editor
0 0%
PDF Editor
100% 100
PDF Conversion API
100 100%
PDF Conversion API
0% 0

User comments

Share your experience with using HTML PDF API and Firefox PDF Viewer (PDF.js). For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare HTML PDF API and Firefox PDF Viewer (PDF.js)

HTML PDF API Reviews

We have no reviews of HTML PDF API yet.
Be the first one to post

Firefox PDF Viewer (PDF.js) Reviews

2024 Best JavaScript PDF Viewer
• Dependency on PDF.js: It uses PDF.js under the hood, and any vulnerabilities discovered in PDF.js will impact react-pdf as well.
Source: www.compdf.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Firefox PDF Viewer (PDF.js) seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 26 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

HTML PDF API mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of HTML PDF API yet. Tracking of HTML PDF API recommendations started around Mar 2021.

Firefox PDF Viewer (PDF.js) mentions (26)

  • Adobe’s Monopoly on PDFs: The Innovation Bottleneck and the Need for Open-Source Alternatives
    While projects like PDF.js, PDFium, and Scribus provide alternatives, they lack key features such as advanced text editing, OCR, and form filling. The challenge lies in funding — without dedicated support, open-source projects struggle to compete with Adobe’s multi-billion-dollar resources. To foster a competitive landscape, businesses and governments must invest in robust open-source PDF development, just as they... - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago
  • DEMO - Voice to PDF - Complete PDF documents with voice commands using the Claude 3 Opus API
    ReadPdf: used for reading the dropped file and displaying it on the screen, it uses PDF.js to load the file, get all fields and display it on the browser. - Source: dev.to / about 1 year ago
  • Building W-9 Crafter
    I first started building the app in the browser, using PDF.js and Download.js to take a PDF and edit it, and then download it to your computer. - Source: dev.to / about 1 year ago
  • How to Write a Cold Email
    I'd think opening a PDF in your browser would be at the same risk-level you associate with going to any random URL. On Firefox at least, I'm pretty sure the built-in PDF viewer is simply JS parsing and rendering the PDF anyway -- nothing with elevated permissions: https://mozilla.github.io/pdf.js/. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • PDF Chat with Node.js, OpenAI and ModelFusion
    We use Mozilla's PDF.js via the pdfjs-dist NPM module to load pages from a PDF file. The loadPdfPages function reads the PDF file and extracts its content. It returns an array where each object contains the page number and the text of that page. - Source: dev.to / almost 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing HTML PDF API and Firefox PDF Viewer (PDF.js), you can also consider the following products

PDFShift - Convert any HTML documents to high-fidelity PDF using a single POST request

Sumatra PDF - Sumatra PDF is a slim PDF/DjVu/EPUB/XPS/CHM/CBR/CBZ/MOBI viewer for Windows.

pdflayer - Free, powerful HTML to PDF API supporting both URL and raw HTML conversion. Unlimited document size, lightning-fast and compatible PHP, Python, Ruby, etc.

Okular - Okular is a universal document viewer based developed by KDE.

PDFCrowd - Pdfcrowd is a Web/HTML to PDF online service. Convert HTML to PDF online in the browser or in your PHP, Python, Ruby, .NET, Java apps via the REST API.

Evince - Evince is a document viewer for multiple document formats: PDF, Postscript, djvu, tiff, dvi, XPS...

Loading...