PDF Libraries

HTML to PDF Conversion Alternatives

wkhtmltopdf and its dependent libraries have been abandoned since 2020, making them unsafe choices for HTML to PDF conversion. As a result, developers need to consider alternative solutions that are actively maintained and provide reliable PDF generation capabilities.

1. HTML based pdf generation

1.a. Non-browser tooling

• sghtmltopdf
• gotenberg

1.b. Headless Chrome-based solutions

• Grover
• Ferrum
• PagedJS (open-source alternative to PrinceXML, uses Puppeteer/Chromium)

2. Non-HTML PDF generation

• Prawn
  • Pros: No external dependencies
  • Cons: Requires learning a new templating language

3. Commercial solution

• PrinceXML (expensive ~$3,800 for a 1-server license with 12 months upgrades and support)
  • DocRaptor SaaS/hosted offering of PrinceXML
• HexaPDF (AGPL!, but with commercial license offerings) Can do form stuff!

Choose based on your specific needs, budget, resource constraints, and willingness to learn new tools.

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Honorable mentions:

• WickedPDF was great, but is wkhtmltopdf based.
• If the output can be considered book like then consider calibre.