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Best PDF SDKs in 2026

PDF SDKs add PDF creation, editing, conversion, annotation, or generation functions to software. This list is for developers comparing hosted APIs, desktop libraries, and self-hosted components.

  1. 1

    Apache PDFBox

    Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted
    7.5 Free plan Visit site
  2. 2

    ComPDFKit PDF SDK

    Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+5
    7.5 Pricing on request · 30-day trial Visit site
  3. 3

    GemBox.Pdf

    Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+3
    7.4 Free plan · paid from $890 · 30-day trial Visit site
  4. 4

    Ghostscript

    Free plan APILinuxMac+2

    Ghostscript combines document rendering and conversion with PDF processing features and application integration options.

    7.4 Free plan Visit site
  5. 5

    MuPDF

    Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+4

    MuPDF covers many document operations and offers developer bindings for several environments. Its licensing terms are a key consideration, particularly for server-based use or embedding in a product.

    7.3 Free plan · paid from $299/mo · 14-day trial Visit site
  6. 6

    libHaru

    Free plan LinuxSelf-hostedWindows
    7.2 Free plan Visit site
  7. 7

    Nutrient SDK

    Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+5
    7.2 Free plan · 30-day trial Visit site
  8. 8

    OpenPDF

    Free plan AndroidLinuxMac+2
    7.2 Free plan Visit site
  9. 9

    PDFium

    Free plan AndroidLinuxMac+2
    7.2 Free plan Visit site
  10. 10

    PDFsharp

    Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+1
    7.1 Free plan Visit site
  11. 11

    PoDoFo

    Free plan APILinuxMac+1
    7.1 Free plan Visit site
  12. 12

    Poppler

    Free plan AndroidAPILinux+3
    7.0 Open source Visit site
  13. 13

    Prince

    Free plan APILinuxMac+2

    Prince offers broad input support and detailed PDF typesetting for self-hosted, API, and integrated workflows.

    7.0 Free plan · paid from $495 Visit site
  14. 14

    QuestPDF

    Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+1
    7.0 Free plan · paid from $1,999 Visit site
  15. 15

    Spire.PDF

    Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+5
    7.0 Free plan · paid from $999 Visit site
  16. 16

    Syncfusion PDF Library

    Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+5
    6.9 Free plan · paid from $1,199/yr · 30-day trial Visit site
  17. 17

    WeasyPrint

    Free plan APILinuxMac+2

    WeasyPrint offers a free route from HTML-based content to PDF, with library and command-line options.

    6.9 Free plan Visit site
  18. 18

    OpenHTMLtoPDF

    Free plan Self-hosted
    6.8 Free plan Visit site
  19. 19

    pdf-lib

    Free plan Self-hostedWeb

    pdf-lib offers a broad set of PDF creation and modification tools across several JavaScript runtimes, with no native dependencies.

    6.8 Open source Visit site
  20. 20

    Adobe Document Generation API

    Free plan Web
    6.7 Free plan Visit site
  21. 21

    iText Core

    by Apryse
    Free plan WindowsLinuxAPI

    iText Core is aimed at programmable, self-hosted PDF generation and processing. Review AGPLv3 obligations or contact iText for commercial terms before deployment.

    6.6 Free plan · pricing on request Visit site
  22. 22

    PDF-XChange Editor

    by PDF-XChange Editor
    Free plan Windows

    PDF-XChange Editor covers document editing, review, conversion, and page operations in a client-side Windows application.

    6.6 Free plan · paid from $62/user Visit site
  23. 23

    Aspose.PDF

    Free trial AndroidAPILinux+4
    6.5 From $1,679 · 30-day trial Visit site
  24. 24

    callas pdfToolbox SDK

    Free trial APILinuxMac+2
    6.5 Pricing on request · 14-day trial Visit site
  25. 25

    Datalogics Adobe PDF Library

    Free trial APILinuxMac+2
    6.4 From $5,999/yr Visit site

#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price

Compare PDF operations, annotation tools, language coverage, supported platforms, deployment model, commercial licensing, free plans, and paid pricing. Check trial length and licence terms before using a tool in a product.

Questions

What do PDF SDKs provide?

They provide PDF operations and related tools, such as document generation and annotation features, for software projects.

Are free PDF SDK options listed?

Yes. Apache PDFBox and Ghostscript are listed as free, and Adobe Document Generation API and GemBox.Pdf list free plans.

Which platforms should I compare?

Compare support for Linux, Windows, macOS, web, API, and self-hosted deployment, based on where your software runs.

Do these PDF SDKs offer trials?

Trial terms vary. Listed examples include 14 days for callas pdfToolbox SDK, 30 days for several products, and 60 days for GdPicture.NET.

What should I check before commercial use?

Review the commercial licence, language coverage, deployment model, pricing, and whether the free plan or trial fits your intended use.

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