ReportLab vs WeasyPrint

ReportLab Toolkit is a Python library for creating PDF documents and graphics. Its open-source edition is free for commercial use; ReportLab PLUS adds XML markup for template-based PDF production and commercial support. The tools can create charts and diagrams for print or web, and documents can be delivered through print, on-demand web creation, or email. Listed inputs include RML/XML, Python objects and variables, CSV, images, and existing PDFs. DocEngine is a hosted business offering with multiple inputs, validation tools, user access controls, and audit trails. Deployments can run in-house or on ReportLab servers using a modular json2pdf approach. PLUS licences are annual, priced by output-page volume, and intended for server-side use; embedding the software for resale is not permitted under the standard licence. The open-source toolkit is community-supported, while PLUS customers receive support with same-working-day responses during UK working hours. The free toolkit is listed at free. Non-financial PLUS plans include £1,728 a year for up to 30,000 pages per month. Platforms include API, Linux, macOS, self-hosted, web, and Windows.

WeasyPrint is free, open-source software for web developers who create PDFs from HTML. Its Python library can turn HTML objects into PDF files with `HTML.write_pdf()`, while the command-line interface offers PDF variants including PDF/A, PDF/UA, and PDF/X. Inputs include HTML, CSS, local files, URLs, file objects, HTML strings, raster images, and SVG. Sample output types include reports, invoices, tickets, books, letters, and posters. WeasyPrint supports Linux, macOS, Windows, and self-hosted deployment; its documentation also describes community-maintained Docker images and an AWS Lambda layer. It can create fillable forms and provides an API. The default HTTP client does not handle cookies or authentication, although a custom URL fetcher can be used. The documentation cautions that untrusted HTML or CSS can create security problems. Version 70.0 requires Python 3.10 or later and Pango 1.44 or later, among other dependencies. The software was created and developed by Kozea; CourtBouillon provides professional support and maintenance.