pdfrender vs CraftMyPDF
CraftMyPDF generates PDFs from a drag-and-drop template editor plus JSON data; pdfrender renders the HTML you send. Which model fits your team?
| CraftMyPDF | template-based PDF generation: drag-and-drop template editor + JSON data via API; subscription tiers |
|---|---|
| pdfrender | code-first: you send finished HTML, it returns the PDF; templates live in YOUR codebase |
These two solve the same output problem with opposite ownership models. CraftMyPDF hosts your templates: you design them in a web-based drag-and-drop editor, then call the API with JSON data and a template ID. pdfrender hosts nothing: your template lives in your repository as HTML (rendered by whatever engine you already use — Jinja2, ERB, Handlebars), and you POST the finished HTML (invoice guide).
When CraftMyPDF is the better fit
- Non-developers own the document layout — the visual editor lets operations or design staff change templates without a deploy.
- You prefer sending small JSON payloads over building HTML server-side.
When pdfrender fits
- Templates belong in version control, code-reviewed and deployed like the rest of your code — no second design tool, no template drift between environments.
- You already produce HTML and just need faithful PDF output with real print CSS (page sizes, headers/footers).
- Flat, low-commitment pricing (free 100/month; €20 and €80 subscriptions) and an MCP server for agent use.
Try pdfrender free — or paste HTML into the free tool right now.