Freedom251 › PDF Creation Software
Prince
What Prince is
Prince converts HTML content into PDFs for printing, downloading, archiving, and publication, while also typesetting HTML pages. It supports headers and footers, page numbers, duplex printing, tables, columns, floats, footnotes, and cross-references. Input can include HTML, XHTML, XML, Markdown, SVG, CSS, JavaScript, and common image formats such as JPEG, PNG, GIF, TIFF, WebP, and AVIF. PDF output can contain bookmarks, links, metadata, encryption, document security, embedded or subset fonts, attachments, and fillable forms. Prince runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows, and can be self-hosted or accessed through an API. YesLogic provides Python and Node.js packages that bundle the engine, plus Java, C#/.NET, and PHP wrappers. DocRaptor and EuroPDF provide cloud APIs, and Docker images are available from Docker Hub. Prince has a free plan; Prince 17 is free to download for testing and noncommercial use. Commercial licenses start at $495, paid once for a Desktop License.
Who it suits
Prince suits developers and publishers who need controlled HTML-to-PDF conversion, print layout, or document archiving. It also serves organisations embedding PDF generation through APIs, wrappers, or self-hosted deployments.
What it does well
- Supports detailed print and page layouts
- Accepts HTML, Markdown, XML, SVG, and CSS
- Provides encryption and document-security options
- Offers packages and wrappers for several languages
- Free plan available
What to know first
- Commercial use requires a license or service
- Desktop License costs $495, paid once
- Cloud APIs come from separate providers
- Absolute security cannot be guaranteed
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Per Server Academic Discount | USD $1900 · Academic institutions · includes 12 months of upgrades and support | $1,900, paid once |
| Commercial Site License | Annual; starts around USD $2000 per year for startups; quote based on document type and volume · Any number of servers on own cluster or cloud · upgrades and support included | $2,000 a year |
| Per Server License | One-time; displayed price is $3800 per unit, with volume discounts · For government and other noncommercial entities · internal use or documents published free of charge · includes 12 months of upgrades and support | $3,800, paid once |
| Desktop License | USD $495 · One user on one computer · self-publishing or internal documents | $495, paid once |
| OEM License | Case-by-case quote · For vendors embedding PDF generation in their software · terms consider business model and application distribution | On request |
As princexml.com lists them, read 5 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Prince offers broad input support and detailed PDF typesetting for self-hosted, API, and integrated workflows. Commercial users need a license or service, while noncommercial testing can use the downloadable version.
Facts from Prince's own pages
- Audience
- The maker describes a separate Prince for Books branch aimed at pagination and hyphenation quality requested by book publishers. · princexml.com, 5 Oct 2026
- Cloud APIs
- DocRaptor and EuroPDF offer cloud APIs for using Prince without a local installation. · princexml.com, 5 Oct 2026
- Docker
- Prince Docker images are available from Docker Hub. · princexml.com, 5 Oct 2026
- Download and trial status
- Prince 17 is free to download for testing and noncommercial use; commercial use requires a license or access through a service. · princexml.com, 5 Oct 2026
- Headquarters
- Melbourne, Australia · princexml.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Input formats
- Prince supports HTML, Markdown, XML, SVG, CSS, common image formats, and JavaScript. · princexml.com, 5 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Maker-provided integration packages include Python and Node.js packages that bundle the engine, plus Java, C#/.NET, and PHP wrappers. · princexml.com, 5 Oct 2026
- Layout
- Features include headers and footers, page numbers, duplex printing, tables, columns, floats, footnotes, and cross-references. · princexml.com, 5 Oct 2026
- Maker and headquarters
- Prince is developed, supported, and marketed by YesLogic Pty Ltd, headquartered in Melbourne, Australia. · princexml.com, 5 Oct 2026
- PDF features
- PDF output features include bookmarks, links, metadata, encryption, document security, embedded and subset fonts, and attachments. · princexml.com, 5 Oct 2026
- Platforms
- Prince 17 downloads are listed for Windows, macOS, Linux distributions, generic Linux, AWS Lambda, and FreeBSD. · princexml.com, 5 Oct 2026
- Privacy and security
- YesLogic says it uses commercially acceptable means to protect personal data but cannot guarantee absolute security; the privacy policy covers the Prince website service. · princexml.com, 5 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Prince converts HTML into PDFs for printing, downloading, and archiving, and typesets HTML content for publishing. · princexml.com, 5 Oct 2026
- Support
- Server and Desktop Licenses include 12 months of upgrades and email support, with additional 12-month support contracts available afterward. · princexml.com, 5 Oct 2026
Where Prince stands on Freedom251
- PDF Creation Software#13 of 46
- PDF SDKs#13 of 31