When working with PDFs in .NET, developers have several powerful libraries at their disposal. These libraries vary in functionality, licensing, and ease of use, catering to different needs such as creating, editing, and printing PDFs. Below is a list of ten popular PDF libraries used in the .NET ecosystem, each with a brief description, a link for more information, and a note on whether it is free or commercial.
1. QuestPDF
- Description: QuestPDF is a modern library designed to create PDF documents using simple and intuitive APIs. It offers flexibility and a focus on high-quality output.
- Link: QuestPDF
- License: Free for most uses, with commercial options available.
2. PdfSharp & Migradoc
- Description: PdfSharp and MigraDoc are open-source libraries that work together to create PDFs. PdfSharp focuses on PDF creation and editing, while MigraDoc handles document layout and design.
- Link: PdfSharp | MigraDoc
- License: Free, open-source.
3. Syncfusion PDF Framework
- Description: Syncfusion provides a comprehensive PDF framework that allows for creating, editing, and converting PDFs. It is feature-rich and supports a wide range of PDF functionalities.
- Link: Syncfusion PDF Framework
- License: Free for small businesses and individuals under the community license; commercial options available.
4. IronPDF
- Description: IronPDF is a commercial library known for its ease of use and robust PDF generation and manipulation features. It supports advanced functionalities like rendering and editing.
- Link: IronPDF
- License: Commercial.
5. freeSpire.PDF
- Description: freeSpire.PDF is a free version of the Spire.PDF library, offering essential PDF creation and manipulation features. It’s a solid choice for basic PDF tasks.
- Link: freeSpire.PDF
- License: Free, with a commercial version available.
6. X39.Solutions.PdfTemplate
- Description: A specialized library focused on generating PDF documents based on templates. It’s a simple and effective solution for template-driven PDF generation.
- Link: X39.Solutions.PdfTemplate
- License: Free.
7. VectSharp
- Description: VectSharp is a versatile vector graphics library that includes support for PDF generation. It’s particularly useful for projects requiring custom vector drawing.
- Link: VectSharp
- License: Free, open-source.
8. FastReport
- Description: FastReport is a powerful reporting tool that can generate complex PDF reports. It includes a wide range of features for generating PDFs from various data sources.
- Link: FastReport
- License: Free for basic use; advanced features require a commercial license.
9. iTextSharp
- Description: iTextSharp (part of iText) is a well-known library for creating and manipulating PDFs. It’s a robust and versatile tool that supports a wide range of PDF features.
- Link: iTextSharp
- License: Free for open-source projects under AGPL; commercial licenses available.
10. Aspose.PDF
- Description: Aspose.PDF is a commercial library offering extensive PDF processing capabilities. It supports creation, conversion, editing, and a wide array of other PDF operations.
- Link: Aspose.PDF
- License: Commercial.
This list includes a mix of free and commercial options, ensuring there’s a library suitable for almost any .NET project involving PDF generation or manipulation.