PDF4.dev vs DocRaptor

DocRaptor is API-only: there's no template editor, no preview, no dashboard. You send HTML, you get a PDF back. Everything else (template management, variable injection, team editing) is on you.

PDF4.dev gives you the full platform: Monaco code editor with Handlebars autocompletion, a visual editor anyone can use, live preview with accurate PDF dimensions, generation logs, and interactive API docs.

The visual editor uses GrapesJS with a floating toolbar, drag-and-drop blocks, a layers panel for component hierarchy, and Figma-style keyboard shortcuts (Cmd+C/V/D, arrow keys, L for layers). Non-technical team members can design templates without writing HTML.

DocRaptor uses Prince XML, which excels at CSS print styles (@page, named pages, margin boxes). PDF4.dev uses Chromium, which gives you full JavaScript support, modern CSS (flexbox, grid, custom properties), and pixel-perfect rendering of any web content.

Migrating from DocRaptor to PDF4.dev is straightforward since both accept HTML input and return PDF output. The main differences are in template syntax and CSS rendering.

• HTML templates: your existing HTML works as-is. Chromium renders modern CSS that Prince XML may not support (flexbox, grid, custom properties).
• CSS @page rules: basic @page rules (margins, size) work in Chromium. Advanced Prince-specific features (named pages, margin boxes) may need alternatives.
• API call: replace DocRaptor's endpoint with POST /api/v1/render. Same pattern: send HTML + data, receive PDF.
• Variables: DocRaptor doesn't have built-in templating. PDF4.dev uses Handlebars ({{variable}}) with auto-detection and sample values.

DocRaptor is a solid choice if your templates rely heavily on CSS print features:

• You need PDF/A compliance for archival or regulatory requirements
• Your templates use advanced @page rules, named pages, or margin boxes
• You already have a template management system and just need a rendering API
• You prefer Prince XML's CSS rendering model

But if you want a complete platform: editor, preview, API, dashboard, logs: PDF4.dev gives you everything out of the box.