pdflayer
pdflayer.com
What it is
pdflayer is a cloud REST API that converts HTML or HTTP URLs into PDF documents. It accepts standard URLs and raw HTML, with raw HTML conversion available through HTTP POST. Requests can use GET or POST, though some features require POST. The rendering engine can handle HTML, CSS, JavaScript, XML, and SVG, and customization options include dimensions, margins, page numbers, custom CSS, encryption, viewport, delay, headers, footers, and watermarks. The maker says the API works with any programming language, citing PHP, Python, Ruby, jQuery.ajax, and Java. Generated PDFs are stored on a CDN and can be retrieved within milliseconds, according to the maker. Users can track usage daily or monthly and receive notices when usage is running low. The free plan provides 100 API requests per month for non-commercial use; it lists no encryption feature. Paid plans start at $9.99/mo, include commercial use, and list 256-bit HTTPS encryption. Paid subscriptions include unlimited, prioritized technical support. pdflayer is based in Vienna, Austria.
Spec sheet
- Purpose
- pdflayer is a REST API for developers and businesses to convert HTML or HTTP URLs into PDF documents.Read 7 Oct 2026 · pdflayer.com
- Intended users
- The maker says the service primarily targets developers and businesses seeking to automate document conversion, such as invoices.Read 7 Oct 2026 · pdflayer.com
- Security
- The pricing page lists 256-bit HTTPS encryption for paid plans; the free plan lists no encryption feature.Read 7 Oct 2026 · pdflayer.com
- Support
- The FAQ says paid subscriptions include unlimited and prioritized technical support.Read 7 Oct 2026 · pdflayer.com
- Headquarters
- Vienna, AustriaRead 28 Sep 2026 · pdflayer.com
- Customization
- Customization options include dimensions, margins, page numbers, custom CSS, encryption, viewport, delay, headers, footers, and watermarks.Read 7 Oct 2026 · pdflayer.com
- Free-plan restriction
- The free plan provides 100 monthly API requests and is limited to non-commercial use.Read 7 Oct 2026 · pdflayer.com
- Input formats
- The API accepts standard HTTP URLs or raw HTML, with raw HTML conversion available via HTTP POST.Read 7 Oct 2026 · pdflayer.com
- Integration
- The maker says the API works with any programming language and names PHP, Python, Ruby, jQuery.ajax, and Java as examples.Read 7 Oct 2026 · pdflayer.com
- Privacy safeguards
- The privacy policy lists encrypted transmission and storage, authorization, backups, and physical server safeguards as data safety measures.Read 7 Oct 2026 · pdflayer.com
- Rendering
- The conversion engine can render HTML, CSS, JavaScript, XML, and SVG.Read 7 Oct 2026 · pdflayer.com
- Request methods
- The API supports HTTP POST and GET, though some features are POST-only.Read 7 Oct 2026 · pdflayer.com
- Usage and delivery
- The maker says generated PDFs are stored on a CDN and can be retrieved within milliseconds.Read 7 Oct 2026 · pdflayer.com
- Usage tracking
- Users can track API usage daily or monthly and receive automatic notifications when usage is running low.Read 7 Oct 2026 · pdflayer.com
Plans and prices
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Converts URLs or raw HTML to PDF
- Renders HTML, CSS, JavaScript, XML, and SVG
- Offers page, style, and watermark controls
- Free plan includes 100 monthly API requests
- Paid subscriptions include prioritized technical support
Limits
- Free plan is limited to non-commercial use
- Free plan lists no encryption feature
- Some features require POST requests
- No OCR, data extraction, or merge and split
Who it suits
pdflayer suits developers and businesses automating document conversion, including invoice generation. It is a fit for teams integrating PDF creation through a REST API across different programming languages.
Verdict
pdflayer focuses on API-driven HTML-to-PDF conversion with several rendering controls and usage alerts. The free tier is limited to non-commercial use, while paid plans start at $9.99/mo.
Where Specifiction places it
- PDF converters#9 of 228.0
- PDF Converter Software#21 of 477.9
- PDF API Software#23 of 357.7