C# HTML to PDF Libraries Comparison
Tags: programming, csharp, softwaredevelopment, htmltopdf
Published: 2023-08-01 23:32:05

The distribution of informational content using PDF files is still common. Because they can be opened on any computer with a PDF reader application installed, PDFs are the most popular format
for transmitting written documents electronically. Several challenges must be considered when creating PDF files programmatically, including how to produce PDF files in specific sizes and orientations (such as size A4 or B5, in portrait or landscape view), and how to produce PDF files with
graphs, tables, charts, images, and other elements in the proper shape and size.

This article will go through how to use five .NET PDF libraries as well as the benefits and drawbacks of doing so. These are the following libraries:
1. IronPDF
2. Aspose
3. iText
4. Syncfusion
5. Gembox

## **IronPDF**
Rendering PDF files in IronPDF doesn't require any sophisticated APIs. You may easily add text, stamps, and headers and footers to PDF files using IronPDF. It can be used to convert PDF files into
text documents because of its text extraction features.

IronPDF offers complete HTML to PDF functionality for generating and editing PDFs. Unlike other NuGet packages, it is a library made up of many simple pieces for creating PDF documents that
converts HTML with more complicated structures to PDF in the .NET ecosystem without writing 200 lines of code. IronPDF turns complex PDF tasks into simple, intuitive C# methods.

**Benefits**
The benefits of IronPDF are:
- PDF conversion functionality allows to convert a variety of file types, including HTML, HTML strings, MVC views, Web Forms, and URLs, into PDF files.
- No additional software from a third party is needed.
- PDF imaging has PDF printing, image extraction, and support for various image extensions.

**Drawbacks**
- Only commercial .NET apps may use IronPDF.
- No customizable branding.
- It is inappropriate for instructional use.

## **Aspose**
Aspose.HTML offers standard or custom saving options for HTML to PDF conversion. Engineers can create, edit, format, and print PDF documents using the tools provided by Aspose. With Aspose.HTML, you have complete control over a variety of conversion settings and the ability to dynamically convert files.

For rendering tasks, Aspose.HTML for .NET offers a variety of output formats. Aspose’s modern C# document processing API quickly converts HTML to PDF. HTML files can be converted to a variety of
well-known formats using a powerful C# library.

**Benefits**
The benefits of Aspose are:
- Easily discoverable on NuGet.
- Clear documentation.
- You can use fully qualified filenames for both writing to and reading from PDFs and HTML.

**Drawbacks**
- More lines of code required.
- Low compatibility.
- Bit pricey.

## **iText**
Java programmers produced the .NET PDF library iText7, formerly known as iTextSharp. It offers code-based PDF creation and manipulation features in Java and C#. The library has been created
with the most typical PDF layout issues in mind, including text alignment, graphic placement, and font selection.

It offers a free API for .NET programme. Using the NuGet Package Manager, installing the package is simple. iText7 is an open-source library.

**Benefits**
The benefits of iText are:
- It is compatible with projects covered by the AGPL licence.
- Few lines of code explained with high contrast UI.
- iText7 is appropriate for both personal and academic use.

**Drawbacks**
- It requires additional work from the programme because HTML documents are converted to PDF files using an external addon.
- Commercial use pricing is not published.
- Java API is the foundation of itext7 so C# developer has to write more code to use the library.

## **Syncfusion**
The HTML-to-PDF converter from Syncfusion will operate without a hitch on several different platforms, including Azure Cloud or Web apps, Azure Functions, Amazon Web Service (AWS), Docker, WinForms, WPF, ASP.NET MVC, and ASP.NET Core on Windows, Linux, and macOS. A .NET Core library called the Syncfusion HTML to PDF converter is used to convert HTML or web pages to PDF documents. It is trustworthy and precise.

You may use C# to convert just a section of a webpage into a PDF file using the Syncfusion HTML-to-PDF converter package. The layout of the original HTML document or webpage is retained, along
with all the graphics, photos, text, and fonts. With just a few lines of code, Syncfusion can convert an HTML file, HTML string, URL, ASPX, Razor, or MVC View to PDF.

**Benefits**
The benefits of Syncfusion are:
- With the Blazor framework and this library, you may convert an HTML file to a PDF.
- Ignore the internet resources and convert HTML to PDF using the offline data.
- Ease of use of the API with C#.

**Drawbacks**
- Complex coding structure.
- No detailed documentation.
- Requires specific folder paths for the conversion.

## **Gembox**
With a heavy emphasis on file formats and well-documented APIs, GemBox.Document provides developers with quick and simple to use .NET components for HTML to PDF conversion. GemBox.Document may handle a variety of elements, including tables, photos, and CSS styles. The procedure for HTML to PDF conversion is simple to follow.

The HTML file must be loaded into DocumentModel before the model can be saved as a PDF file. You can use GemBox.Document to convert live web pages to PDF in addition to converting HTML files
and strings to PDF. Page headers and footers can be read as HeaderFooter elements, one of the various conversion options supported by GemBox.Document.

**Benefits**
The benefits of Gembox are:
- Easy to use.
- Well-documented APIs.
- Paragraphs, objects, and images are loaded into the file by locating them absolutely on the pages.

**Drawbacks**
- Cannot convert web pages to PDFs from HTML strings.
- There are very few elements that are recognized.
- Lacks robust processing options.