Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

PDFShift VS PDFtk

Compare PDFShift VS PDFtk and see what are their differences

PDFShift logo PDFShift

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

PDFtk logo PDFtk

PDFtk is a simple tool for doing everyday things with PDF documents.
  • PDFShift Landing page
    Landing page //
    2024-03-07

A powerful, fast and high-fidelity HTML to PDF conversion API.

Code examples and package ready for Node, Python and PHP developers.

Advanced features are available, including watermarking and encryption!

  • PDFtk Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-07-28

PDFShift

$ Details
freemium $9.0 / Monthly (500 conversions and up to 5Mb per generated PDF.)
Release Date
2018 May

PDFtk

Pricing URL
-
$ Details
-
Release Date
-

PDFShift features and specs

  • High-quality PDF conversion
    PDFShift provides high-quality conversion from HTML to PDF, preserving formatting, styles, and layout details accurately.
  • Ease of use
    The API is straightforward and user-friendly, allowing developers to quickly integrate it into their applications without a steep learning curve.
  • Batch conversion
    PDFShift supports batch processing, enabling users to convert multiple HTML documents to PDF simultaneously, which can save significant time.
  • API documentation
    Comprehensive and clear API documentation makes it easier for developers to understand and implement functionalities within their projects.
  • Customization options
    PDFShift offers various customization options such as headers and footers, page size, margins, and more, giving users control over the output.
  • Security and privacy
    PDFShift ensures data security and privacy by providing encrypted connections and automatic deletion of files after processing.

PDFtk features and specs

  • Versatility
    PDFtk provides a wide range of capabilities for manipulating PDF files, such as merging, splitting, encrypting, and decrypting, which make it highly versatile for various PDF tasks.
  • Command-line Interface
    PDFtk has a command-line interface, which allows for automated, scriptable PDF processing, ideal for integration into other systems and workflows.
  • Cross-Platform
    PDFtk is available for multiple operating systems, including Windows, Mac, and Linux, making it accessible for users across different platforms.
  • Cost
    It's available as a free and open-source tool, making it an economical choice for individuals and businesses looking to manage PDFs without incurring extra costs.
  • Simplicity
    PDFtk is straightforward to use for common PDF tasks, with clear functionality that doesn't require extensive learning or setup.

Possible disadvantages of PDFtk

  • Limited GUI
    While PDFtk offers powerful command-line tools, its graphical user interface is limited, which might be a disadvantage for users who prefer or need a visual interface.
  • Lack of Advanced Editing Features
    PDFtk lacks advanced editing capabilities found in some other PDF tools, such as text editing, annotation, and form creation, which may limit its usefulness for users needing these features.
  • Support and Documentation
    As an open-source tool, support may be limited compared to commercial solutions, and some users might find the available documentation insufficient for complex tasks.
  • Performance
    For very large PDF files or extensive batch operations, users might experience performance limitations compared to more robust, enterprise-level solutions.

Analysis of PDFShift

Overall verdict

  • PDFShift is generally considered a good tool for developers and businesses that need a reliable, fast, and easy-to-integrate solution for HTML to PDF conversion. Its functionality and scalability make it a competitive choice in the market.

Why this product is good

  • PDFShift is an online API service that allows users to convert HTML documents into PDFs with high fidelity. It is praised for its ease of use, speed, and the ability to handle complex HTML and CSS. Users appreciate its support for various PDF features like custom headers, footers, and page numbers. Additionally, it provides scalability for businesses due to its robust API and ability to handle high-volume requests.

Recommended for

    PDFShift is recommended for web developers, software engineers, and companies that require automated HTML to PDF conversion as part of their applications or websites. It is particularly suitable for those looking for an API-based solution to integrate easily into their existing workflows and systems.

PDFShift videos

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PDFtk videos

PDFTK Builder - RedUSERS

More videos:

  • Review - Demo of PDFTK Builder.avi

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to PDFShift and PDFtk)
PDF Tools
92 92%
8% 8
HTML To PDF
100 100%
0% 0
PDF Editor
0 0%
100% 100
PDF Creator
92 92%
8% 8

User comments

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What are some alternatives?

When comparing PDFShift and PDFtk, you can also consider the following products

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.

PDFsam - PDFsam Basic, a free, open source, multi-platform software designed to split, merge, extract pages, mix and rotate PDF files

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

Pdfinfo - Pdfinfo is a PDF document information and metadata extractor tool.

PDF-XChange Editor - The smallest, fastest, most feature-rich PDF editor/viewer available

AutoMetadata - AutoMetadata is a tool for exploring and manipulating metadata, document properties, and viewer preferences in multiple PDF documents.