DocSpring vs PDF Generator API

Start with your document

DocSpring's main workflow starts with your existing PDF. Upload it, drag fields onto the page, and send JSON to fill them. If the PDF has form fields, DocSpring imports them. The original document supplies the layout, and for new layouts with variable-length content you write HTML/CSS templates with Liquid.

PDF Generator API has a WYSIWYG document builder with text, tables, images, and other components, and it also supports existing PDFs and HTML conversion. Both products offer embedded editors, web forms, and signing. The table explains what each of those means in each product.

Feature comparison

Follow the feature links for details in DocSpring's documentation. Sources for each PDF Generator API cell are listed at the end of the page.

Scroll the table sideways to see both products.

A dedicated integration is different from connecting an API through a generic HTTP action. Plan requirements and product boundaries are noted in the cells.

One invoice, two ways to build it

Suppose your application sends a customer name and a list of invoice items. Both products can turn that data into a PDF. The difference is how you prepare the template.

A DocSpring Liquid template for the rows

Once the template fields match the sample data, send it from your server. This request uses a test token and produces a watermarked PDF.

<h1>Invoice for {{ customer_name | escape }}</h1>
<table>
  <tr><th>Description</th><th>Amount (USD)</th></tr>
  {% for item in items %}
    <tr>
      <td>{{ item.description | escape }}</td>
      <td>{{ item.amount | currency }}</td>
    </tr>
  {% endfor %}
</table>

curl --fail-with-body \
  "https://sync.api.docspring.com/api/v1/templates/${DOCSPRING_TEMPLATE_ID}/submissions" \
  --user "${DOCSPRING_TEST_TOKEN_ID}:${DOCSPRING_TEST_TOKEN_SECRET}" \
  --header 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  --data '{
    "test": true,
    "data": {
      "customer_name": "Mira Patel",
      "items": [
        { "description": "Annual inspection", "amount": 120 },
        { "description": "Replacement filter", "amount": 35 }
      ]
    }
  }'

Set the environment variables to your template ID and test API credentials. Accounts in our EU region send requests to sync.api-eu.docspring.com instead. The response includes a download URL for a watermarked PDF. See the request and response guide.

Test your longest data, empty lists, page breaks, and fonts. A six-page result costs two credits in PDF Generator API and one PDF in DocSpring, so the page count matters for the bill as well as the layout.

Page credits against a per-PDF allowance

For 1,000 six-page documents a month, PDF Generator API uses 2,000 credits, which needs the 88 euro Basic plan. DocSpring's 1,000-PDF plan covers the same run for a similar price, counts each document once whatever its length, and includes unlimited templates and the embedded editor on every plan.

What changes if you switch

Plan to map your fields and update your API integration. A PDF Generator API template definition is not a DocSpring template. If you have the original PDF, upload it as the basis for a DocSpring PDF template. A layout built from components with growing tables needs to be recreated in HTML/CSS and Liquid.

Replace the credit-based usage tracking with per-PDF counts, and move signer notification into your application if you used its signing service, since neither product sends signer emails for you.

Test your longest data, empty lists, page breaks, fonts, and any forms or signing steps before moving a live workflow. A single short sample will not tell you how either template handles those cases.

Discuss your documents with us.

Questions about PDF Generator API alternatives

Does DocSpring have a visual document builder?

No. DocSpring's visual editor places fields on an uploaded PDF and imports existing form fields. For new layouts with variable-length content you write HTML/CSS templates with Liquid. PDF Generator API's builder designs the document itself from components.

How do the credits compare with DocSpring's PDF count?

PDF Generator API charges one credit per five pages of a document. DocSpring counts each generated PDF once regardless of length, and watermarked test PDFs are free. For long documents the difference is significant.

Which one has SOC 2?

DocSpring has completed a SOC 2 Type II audit and does not hold ISO 27001. PDF Generator API is ISO 27001 certified and does not publish a SOC 2 report. Both state GDPR and HIPAA compliance.