PRODUCT COMPARISONS

IronPDF vs GemBox.Pdf: Complete .NET PDF Library Comparison Guide for HTML to PDF Conversion

Q: How can I convert HTML to PDF in C#?

You can use IronPDF's RenderHtmlAsPdf method to convert HTML strings into PDFs. You can also convert HTML files into PDFs using RenderHtmlFileAsPdf .

Jacob Mellor

Updated:August 4, 2025

When developing .NET applications that require PDF generation and manipulation, choosing the right C# PDF library can significantly impact your project's success. This comprehensive comparison examines IronPDF and GemBox.Pdf, two prominent .NET PDF libraries, to help developers make an informed decision based on features, performance, pricing, and real-world use cases.

Quick Comparison Overview

Product Comparison Overview

Feature Comparison of IronPDF and GemBox.Pdf for .NET Development

Category	Feature/Aspect	IronPDF	GemBox.Pdf	Key Advantage
Core Architecture	Design Philosophy	HTML-first, Chrome rendering	PDF-native manipulation	Context-dependent
	API Complexity	Simple methods like `RenderHtmlAsPdf()`	Low-level PDF objects	IronPDF: Faster development
	Learning Curve	1-2 days typical	3-5 days typical	IronPDF: Quicker adoption
Platform Support	Cross-Platform	Windows, Linux, macOS, Docker	Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, iOS	GemBox: Mobile support
	.NET Versions	.NET 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, Core 3.1+, Framework 4.6.2+	.NET 6, Standard 2.0, Framework 3.5+	IronPDF: Latest .NET support
	Cloud Platforms	Azure/AWS optimized	Standard cloud support	IronPDF: Cloud-ready
HTML to PDF	Rendering Engine	Full Chrome V8 engine	No built-in HTML support*	IronPDF: Native HTML to PDF
	CSS3/HTML5 Support	Complete support	Requires GemBox.Document	IronPDF: Modern web standards
	JavaScript Execution	Full JavaScript support	No JavaScript support	IronPDF: Dynamic content
	Rendering Speed	~125ms typical	N/A (no HTML support)	IronPDF: Fast rendering
Developer Experience	Code Examples	100+ ready-to-run samples	100+ examples available	Both: Extensive resources
	Documentation	Tutorials, how-tos, videos	API documentation focused	IronPDF: Multiple learning paths
Content Manipulation	Merge/Split PDFs	Built-in methods	Built-in methods	Both: Standard features
	Text Extraction	Unicode support, OCR integration	Unicode support, built-in OCR	GemBox: Built-in OCR
	Forms Support	HTML forms to PDF forms	Create, fill, flatten forms	Context-dependent
Performance Metrics	Memory Usage	Under 10MB typical	Low memory footprint	Both: Efficient
	Threading Support	Native async/await optimized	Thread-safe operations	IronPDF: Better async support
Security & Encryption	Encryption Levels	AES-256, custom handlers	AES-256 standard	Both: Industry standard
	Digital Signatures	Integrated, visual signatures	Digital signature support	Both: Signature support
Licensing & Pricing	Entry Level	Lite: $749 (1 dev, 1 project)	Single Dev: $890 (1 dev, unlimited projects)	IronPDF: Lower entry cost
	Redistribution	+$1,999 royalty-free	Included, unlimited deployments	GemBox: Better deployment terms
	Suite Option	Iron Suite: $1,498 (9 products)	GemBox Bundle: $2,200 (7 products)	IronPDF: Better suite value
Support	Support Included	Yes, 24/5 engineering support	Yes, 1 year professional support	Both: Good support
	Response Time	24-48 hours typical	Within 1 business day	Both: Fast response
Best For	Use Cases	HTML to PDF, web apps, reports	PDF manipulation, forms, OCR	Context-dependent

Note. GemBox.Pdf focuses on PDF manipulation and requires GemBox.Document for HTML conversion. IronPDF provides native HTML to PDF conversion with full browser rendering. *HTML support in GemBox requires additional product purchase.

Please noteGemBox.Pdf requires the separate GemBox.Document library ($890 additional) for HTML to PDF conversion.

What is the IronPDF Library?

IronPDF stands out as a comprehensive .NET PDF library specifically designed to make HTML to PDF conversion seamless for developers. Built with a Chrome rendering engine at its core, IronPDF transforms the way developers approach PDF generation in C#, F#, and VB.NET applications.

The library's philosophy centers on leveraging existing web development skills. Instead of learning complex PDF APIs, developers can use familiar HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to create sophisticated PDF documents. This approach dramatically reduces development time while ensuring pixel-perfect rendering that matches modern web standards.

Core Features of IronPDF

IronPDF provides an extensive feature set that covers virtually every PDF-related task developers might encounter:

HTML to PDF Conversion Excellence

Chrome V8 Engine: Renders HTML using the same engine as Google Chrome, ensuring 98%+ browser fidelity
Full CSS3/HTML5 Support: Complete support for modern web standards including flexbox, grid, and animations
JavaScript Execution: Processes JavaScript before rendering, capturing dynamic content perfectly
Responsive Design: Handles responsive layouts with customizable viewport settings
Web Font Support: Renders Google Fonts, custom fonts, and icon fonts accurately

Advanced PDF Manipulation

Merge and Split PDFs: Combine multiple PDFs or extract specific pages with simple method calls
Digital Signatures: Apply cryptographic signatures with certificate support
Forms Management: Create fillable forms from HTML or manipulate existing PDF forms
Watermarks and Stamps: Add text or image watermarks with transparency control
Headers and Footers: Dynamic headers/footers with page numbering

Security and Compliance

Encryption: AES-256 encryption with custom permission settings
PDF/A Compliance: Generate archival-quality PDFs for long-term storage
Redaction: Permanently remove sensitive content
Password Protection: User and owner password support with granular permissions

IronPDF Code Example: HTML to PDF with Advanced Features

using IronPdf;
using IronPdf.Rendering;

// Configure the Chrome renderer with advanced options
var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer
{
    RenderingOptions = new ChromePdfRenderOptions
    {
        // Set paper orientation and size
        PaperOrientation = PdfPaperOrientation.Portrait,
        PaperSize = PdfPaperSize.A4,

        // Configure margins (in millimeters)
        MarginTop = 25,
        MarginBottom = 25,
        MarginLeft = 20,
        MarginRight = 20,

        // Enable JavaScript execution
        EnableJavaScript = true,
        RenderDelay = 1000, // Wait 1 second for JS to complete

        // Print background colors and images
        PrintHtmlBackgrounds = true,

        // Create PDF forms from HTML form elements
        CreatePdfFormsFromHtml = true,

        // Custom header and footer
        HtmlHeader = new HtmlHeaderFooter
        {
            Height = 20,
            HtmlFragment = "<div style='text-align: center; font-size: 12px;'>Company Report - {page} of {total-pages}</div>",
            DrawDividerLine = true
        },

        HtmlFooter = new HtmlHeaderFooter
        {
            Height = 15,
            HtmlFragment = "<div style='text-align: center; font-size: 10px;'>© 2025 Company Name. Confidential.</div>"
        }
    }
};

// Convert complex HTML with CSS and JavaScript
string htmlContent = @"
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
    <style>
        body { font-family: 'Segoe UI', Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.6; }
        .invoice-header { 
            background: linear-gradient(135deg, #667eea 0%, #764ba2 100%);
            color: white;
            padding: 30px;
            border-radius: 10px;
            margin-bottom: 30px;
        }
        .data-table { 
            width: 100%; 
            border-collapse: collapse; 
            margin-top: 20px;
        }
        .data-table th { 
            background-color: #f8f9fa; 
            padding: 12px; 
            text-align: left;
            border-bottom: 2px solid #dee2e6;
        }
        .data-table td { 
            padding: 10px; 
            border-bottom: 1px solid #dee2e6;
        }
        .total-section {
            margin-top: 30px;
            text-align: right;
            font-size: 18px;
            font-weight: bold;
        }
        @media print {
            .no-print { display: none; }
        }
    </style>
</head>
<body>
    <div class='invoice-header'>
        <h1>Invoice #INV-2025-001</h1>
        <p>Date: <span id='current-date'></span></p>
    </div>

    <table class='data-table'>
        <thead>
            <tr>
                <th>Item Description</th>
                <th>Quantity</th>
                <th>Unit Price</th>
                <th>Total</th>
            </tr>
        </thead>
        <tbody>
            <tr>
                <td>Professional PDF Library License</td>
                <td>1</td>
                <td>$749.00</td>
                <td>$749.00</td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
                <td>Priority Support (1 Year)</td>
                <td>1</td>
                <td>$299.00</td>
                <td>$299.00</td>
            </tr>
        </tbody>
    </table>

    <div class='total-section'>
        <p>Subtotal: $1,048.00</p>
        <p>Tax (8%): $83.84</p>
        <p style='color: #667eea; font-size: 24px;'>Total: $1,131.84</p>
    </div>

    <script>
        // Dynamic date insertion
        document.getElementById('current-date').textContent = new Date().toLocaleDateString('en-US', {
            year: 'numeric',
            month: 'long',
            day: 'numeric'
        });
    </script>
</body>
</html>";

// Render the HTML to PDF
PdfDocument pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf(htmlContent);

// Apply additional security settings
pdf.SecuritySettings.OwnerPassword = "admin123";
pdf.SecuritySettings.UserPassword = "user123";
pdf.SecuritySettings.AllowUserPrinting = PdfPrintSecurity.NoPrint;
pdf.SecuritySettings.AllowUserCopyPasteContent = false;
pdf.SecuritySettings.AllowUserAnnotations = false;
pdf.SecuritySettings.AllowUserFormData = true;

// Add metadata
pdf.MetaData.Author = "Invoice System";
pdf.MetaData.Title = "Invoice INV-2025-001";
pdf.MetaData.Subject = "Customer Invoice";
pdf.MetaData.Keywords = "invoice, payment, 2025";
pdf.MetaData.CreationDate = DateTime.Now;

// Save the PDF
pdf.SaveAs("invoice-2025-001.pdf");

// Optional: Save as PDF/A for archival
pdf.SaveAsPdfA("invoice-2025-001-archive.pdf", PdfAVersions.PdfA3);

using IronPdf;
using IronPdf.Rendering;

// Configure the Chrome renderer with advanced options
var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer
{
    RenderingOptions = new ChromePdfRenderOptions
    {
        // Set paper orientation and size
        PaperOrientation = PdfPaperOrientation.Portrait,
        PaperSize = PdfPaperSize.A4,

        // Configure margins (in millimeters)
        MarginTop = 25,
        MarginBottom = 25,
        MarginLeft = 20,
        MarginRight = 20,

        // Enable JavaScript execution
        EnableJavaScript = true,
        RenderDelay = 1000, // Wait 1 second for JS to complete

        // Print background colors and images
        PrintHtmlBackgrounds = true,

        // Create PDF forms from HTML form elements
        CreatePdfFormsFromHtml = true,

        // Custom header and footer
        HtmlHeader = new HtmlHeaderFooter
        {
            Height = 20,
            HtmlFragment = "<div style='text-align: center; font-size: 12px;'>Company Report - {page} of {total-pages}</div>",
            DrawDividerLine = true
        },

        HtmlFooter = new HtmlHeaderFooter
        {
            Height = 15,
            HtmlFragment = "<div style='text-align: center; font-size: 10px;'>© 2025 Company Name. Confidential.</div>"
        }
    }
};

// Convert complex HTML with CSS and JavaScript
string htmlContent = @"
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
    <style>
        body { font-family: 'Segoe UI', Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.6; }
        .invoice-header { 
            background: linear-gradient(135deg, #667eea 0%, #764ba2 100%);
            color: white;
            padding: 30px;
            border-radius: 10px;
            margin-bottom: 30px;
        }
        .data-table { 
            width: 100%; 
            border-collapse: collapse; 
            margin-top: 20px;
        }
        .data-table th { 
            background-color: #f8f9fa; 
            padding: 12px; 
            text-align: left;
            border-bottom: 2px solid #dee2e6;
        }
        .data-table td { 
            padding: 10px; 
            border-bottom: 1px solid #dee2e6;
        }
        .total-section {
            margin-top: 30px;
            text-align: right;
            font-size: 18px;
            font-weight: bold;
        }
        @media print {
            .no-print { display: none; }
        }
    </style>
</head>
<body>
    <div class='invoice-header'>
        <h1>Invoice #INV-2025-001</h1>
        <p>Date: <span id='current-date'></span></p>
    </div>

    <table class='data-table'>
        <thead>
            <tr>
                <th>Item Description</th>
                <th>Quantity</th>
                <th>Unit Price</th>
                <th>Total</th>
            </tr>
        </thead>
        <tbody>
            <tr>
                <td>Professional PDF Library License</td>
                <td>1</td>
                <td>$749.00</td>
                <td>$749.00</td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
                <td>Priority Support (1 Year)</td>
                <td>1</td>
                <td>$299.00</td>
                <td>$299.00</td>
            </tr>
        </tbody>
    </table>

    <div class='total-section'>
        <p>Subtotal: $1,048.00</p>
        <p>Tax (8%): $83.84</p>
        <p style='color: #667eea; font-size: 24px;'>Total: $1,131.84</p>
    </div>

    <script>
        // Dynamic date insertion
        document.getElementById('current-date').textContent = new Date().toLocaleDateString('en-US', {
            year: 'numeric',
            month: 'long',
            day: 'numeric'
        });
    </script>
</body>
</html>";

// Render the HTML to PDF
PdfDocument pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf(htmlContent);

// Apply additional security settings
pdf.SecuritySettings.OwnerPassword = "admin123";
pdf.SecuritySettings.UserPassword = "user123";
pdf.SecuritySettings.AllowUserPrinting = PdfPrintSecurity.NoPrint;
pdf.SecuritySettings.AllowUserCopyPasteContent = false;
pdf.SecuritySettings.AllowUserAnnotations = false;
pdf.SecuritySettings.AllowUserFormData = true;

// Add metadata
pdf.MetaData.Author = "Invoice System";
pdf.MetaData.Title = "Invoice INV-2025-001";
pdf.MetaData.Subject = "Customer Invoice";
pdf.MetaData.Keywords = "invoice, payment, 2025";
pdf.MetaData.CreationDate = DateTime.Now;

// Save the PDF
pdf.SaveAs("invoice-2025-001.pdf");

// Optional: Save as PDF/A for archival
pdf.SaveAsPdfA("invoice-2025-001-archive.pdf", PdfAVersions.PdfA3);

Imports IronPdf
Imports IronPdf.Rendering

' Configure the Chrome renderer with advanced options
Private renderer = New ChromePdfRenderer With {
	.RenderingOptions = New ChromePdfRenderOptions With {
		.PaperOrientation = PdfPaperOrientation.Portrait, .PaperSize = PdfPaperSize.A4, .MarginTop = 25, .MarginBottom = 25, .MarginLeft = 20, .MarginRight = 20, .EnableJavaScript = True, .RenderDelay = 1000, .PrintHtmlBackgrounds = True, .CreatePdfFormsFromHtml = True, .HtmlHeader = New HtmlHeaderFooter With {
			.Height = 20,
			.HtmlFragment = "<div style='text-align: center; font-size: 12px;'>Company Report - {page} of {total-pages}</div>",
			.DrawDividerLine = True
		},
		.HtmlFooter = New HtmlHeaderFooter With {
			.Height = 15,
			.HtmlFragment = "<div style='text-align: center; font-size: 10px;'>© 2025 Company Name. Confidential.</div>"
		}
	}
}

' Convert complex HTML with CSS and JavaScript
Private htmlContent As String = "
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
    <style>
        body { font-family: 'Segoe UI', Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.6; }
        .invoice-header { 
            background: linear-gradient(135deg, #667eea 0%, #764ba2 100%);
            color: white;
            padding: 30px;
            border-radius: 10px;
            margin-bottom: 30px;
        }
        .data-table { 
            width: 100%; 
            border-collapse: collapse; 
            margin-top: 20px;
        }
        .data-table th { 
            background-color: #f8f9fa; 
            padding: 12px; 
            text-align: left;
            border-bottom: 2px solid #dee2e6;
        }
        .data-table td { 
            padding: 10px; 
            border-bottom: 1px solid #dee2e6;
        }
        .total-section {
            margin-top: 30px;
            text-align: right;
            font-size: 18px;
            font-weight: bold;
        }
        @media print {
            .no-print { display: none; }
        }
    </style>
</head>
<body>
    <div class='invoice-header'>
        <h1>Invoice #INV-2025-001</h1>
        <p>Date: <span id='current-date'></span></p>
    </div>

    <table class='data-table'>
        <thead>
            <tr>
                <th>Item Description</th>
                <th>Quantity</th>
                <th>Unit Price</th>
                <th>Total</th>
            </tr>
        </thead>
        <tbody>
            <tr>
                <td>Professional PDF Library License</td>
                <td>1</td>
                <td>$749.00</td>
                <td>$749.00</td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
                <td>Priority Support (1 Year)</td>
                <td>1</td>
                <td>$299.00</td>
                <td>$299.00</td>
            </tr>
        </tbody>
    </table>

    <div class='total-section'>
        <p>Subtotal: $1,048.00</p>
        <p>Tax (8%): $83.84</p>
        <p style='color: #667eea; font-size: 24px;'>Total: $1,131.84</p>
    </div>

    <script>
        // Dynamic date insertion
        document.getElementById('current-date').textContent = new Date().toLocaleDateString('en-US', {
            year: 'numeric',
            month: 'long',
            day: 'numeric'
        });
    </script>
</body>
</html>"

' Render the HTML to PDF
Private pdf As PdfDocument = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf(htmlContent)

' Apply additional security settings
pdf.SecuritySettings.OwnerPassword = "admin123"
pdf.SecuritySettings.UserPassword = "user123"
pdf.SecuritySettings.AllowUserPrinting = PdfPrintSecurity.NoPrint
pdf.SecuritySettings.AllowUserCopyPasteContent = False
pdf.SecuritySettings.AllowUserAnnotations = False
pdf.SecuritySettings.AllowUserFormData = True

' Add metadata
pdf.MetaData.Author = "Invoice System"
pdf.MetaData.Title = "Invoice INV-2025-001"
pdf.MetaData.Subject = "Customer Invoice"
pdf.MetaData.Keywords = "invoice, payment, 2025"
pdf.MetaData.CreationDate = DateTime.Now

' Save the PDF
pdf.SaveAs("invoice-2025-001.pdf")

' Optional: Save as PDF/A for archival
pdf.SaveAsPdfA("invoice-2025-001-archive.pdf", PdfAVersions.PdfA3)

$vbLabelText $csharpLabel

This example demonstrates IronPDF's ability to handle complex HTML layouts with gradients, tables, dynamic JavaScript content, and advanced PDF features like security settings and metadata. The library processes everything seamlessly, producing a professional PDF that matches the HTML design exactly.

What is the GemBox.Pdf Library?

GemBox.Pdf represents a different approach to PDF manipulation in .NET. Rather than focusing on HTML to PDF conversion, GemBox.Pdf specializes in low-level PDF operations and direct PDF manipulation. This makes it particularly suitable for scenarios where developers need precise control over PDF structure and content.

The library excels at working with existing PDF documents, offering robust features for reading, editing, and manipulating PDF files at a granular level. GemBox.Pdf operates without dependencies on Adobe Acrobat, making deployment straightforward across various environments.

Core Features of GemBox.Pdf

GemBox.Pdf provides comprehensive PDF manipulation capabilities:

PDF Document Operations

Read and Write PDFs: Direct access to PDF structure and content
Merge and Split: Combine multiple PDFs or extract specific pages
Clone Pages: Import pages between different PDF documents
Page Management: Add, remove, or reorder pages programmatically

Content Extraction and Manipulation

Text Extraction: Extract Unicode text with positioning information
Image Extraction: Retrieve embedded images from PDF documents
OCR Support: Built-in optical character recognition for scanned documents
Content Redaction: Remove sensitive information permanently

Forms and Interactivity

Interactive Forms: Create, fill, flatten, and export PDF forms
Form Field Management: Programmatic access to all form field types
Annotations: Add hyperlinks and other PDF annotations

Graphics and Visual Elements

Drawing Operations: Add text, images, and vector graphics
Shapes and Paths: Create complex vector drawings
Watermarks: Apply text and image watermarks
Content Groups: Organize content into logical groups

GemBox.Pdf Code Example: PDF Manipulation and Forms

using GemBox.Pdf;
using GemBox.Pdf.Content;
using GemBox.Pdf.Forms;
using GemBox.Pdf.Security;

// Set license (use FREE-LIMITED-KEY for evaluation)
ComponentInfo.SetLicense("FREE-LIMITED-KEY");

// Create a new PDF document from scratch
using (var document = new PdfDocument())
{
    // Add a page with custom size
    var page = document.Pages.Add();

    // Create formatted text with multiple styles
    using (var formattedText = new PdfFormattedText())
    {
        formattedText.FontSize = 24;
        formattedText.FontFamily = new PdfFontFamily("Arial");
        formattedText.Color = PdfColor.FromRgb(0.2, 0.2, 0.6);
        formattedText.AppendLine("GemBox.Pdf Document Example");

        formattedText.FontSize = 12;
        formattedText.Color = PdfColor.FromRgb(0, 0, 0);
        formattedText.AppendLine("This document demonstrates PDF creation and manipulation features.");

        // Draw text to the page
        page.Content.DrawText(formattedText, new PdfPoint(50, 700));
    }

    // Add a form to the document
    var form = document.Form;

    // Create text field
    var textField = form.Fields.AddText(page, 50, 600, 200, 30);
    textField.Name = "CustomerName";
    textField.Value = "Enter your name";
    textField.Format.Fill.Color = PdfColor.FromRgb(0.95, 0.95, 0.95);

    // Create checkbox
    var checkBox = form.Fields.AddCheck(page, 50, 550, 20, 20);
    checkBox.Name = "Agreement";
    checkBox.Checked = false;

    // Add descriptive text next to checkbox
    using (var checkboxLabel = new PdfFormattedText())
    {
        checkboxLabel.Append("I agree to the terms and conditions");
        page.Content.DrawText(checkboxLabel, new PdfPoint(80, 555));
    }

    // Create submit button
    var submitButton = form.Fields.AddButton(page, 50, 500, 100, 30);
    submitButton.Name = "Submit";
    submitButton.Actions.Activate = PdfActionType.Named;

    // Add button appearance
    using (var buttonText = new PdfFormattedText())
    {
        buttonText.Append("Submit Form");
        buttonText.FontSize = 14;
        buttonText.Color = PdfColor.FromRgb(1, 1, 1);

        // Create button appearance stream
        var appearance = submitButton.Appearance.Normal;
        appearance.Fill.Color = PdfColor.FromRgb(0.2, 0.4, 0.8);
        appearance.Stroke.Color = PdfColor.FromRgb(0.1, 0.2, 0.4);
        appearance.Stroke.Width = 1;

        // Draw button background
        appearance.DrawRectangle(new PdfPoint(0, 0), new PdfSize(100, 30), true, true);

        // Draw button text
        appearance.DrawText(buttonText, new PdfPoint(20, 10));
    }

    // Add a table using low-level graphics
    var tableTop = 400;
    var tableLeft = 50;
    var cellWidth = 150;
    var cellHeight = 30;

    // Draw table headers
    page.Content.DrawRectangle(new PdfPoint(tableLeft, tableTop), 
        new PdfSize(cellWidth * 3, cellHeight), true, true);

    using (var headerText = new PdfFormattedText())
    {
        headerText.FontSize = 12;
        headerText.Color = PdfColor.FromRgb(1, 1, 1);
        headerText.Append("Product");
        page.Content.DrawText(headerText, new PdfPoint(tableLeft + 10, tableTop + 10));

        headerText.Clear();
        headerText.Append("Quantity");
        page.Content.DrawText(headerText, new PdfPoint(tableLeft + cellWidth + 10, tableTop + 10));

        headerText.Clear();
        headerText.Append("Price");
        page.Content.DrawText(headerText, new PdfPoint(tableLeft + cellWidth * 2 + 10, tableTop + 10));
    }

    // Draw table data rows
    var rowData = new[]
    {
        new { Product = "PDF Library", Quantity = "1", Price = "$890" },
        new { Product = "Support Plan", Quantity = "1", Price = "$299" },
        new { Product = "Training", Quantity = "2", Price = "$500" }
    };

    var currentY = tableTop - cellHeight;
    foreach (var row in rowData)
    {
        // Draw cell borders
        page.Content.DrawRectangle(new PdfPoint(tableLeft, currentY), 
            new PdfSize(cellWidth, cellHeight), false, true);
        page.Content.DrawRectangle(new PdfPoint(tableLeft + cellWidth, currentY), 
            new PdfSize(cellWidth, cellHeight), false, true);
        page.Content.DrawRectangle(new PdfPoint(tableLeft + cellWidth * 2, currentY), 
            new PdfSize(cellWidth, cellHeight), false, true);

        // Draw cell content
        using (var cellText = new PdfFormattedText())
        {
            cellText.FontSize = 11;
            cellText.Append(row.Product);
            page.Content.DrawText(cellText, new PdfPoint(tableLeft + 10, currentY + 10));

            cellText.Clear();
            cellText.Append(row.Quantity);
            page.Content.DrawText(cellText, new PdfPoint(tableLeft + cellWidth + 10, currentY + 10));

            cellText.Clear();
            cellText.Append(row.Price);
            page.Content.DrawText(cellText, new PdfPoint(tableLeft + cellWidth * 2 + 10, currentY + 10));
        }

        currentY -= cellHeight;
    }

    // Apply security settings
    var securitySettings = document.SecuritySettings;
    securitySettings.DocumentOpenPassword = "user123";
    securitySettings.PermissionsPassword = "owner123";
    securitySettings.Permissions = PdfPermissions.AllowPrint | PdfPermissions.AllowFormFill;

    // Save the document
    document.Save("gembox-example.pdf");
}

// Example: Manipulating existing PDF
using (var existingDoc = PdfDocument.Load("existing-document.pdf"))
{
    // Extract text from first page
    var page = existingDoc.Pages[0];
    var text = page.Content.GetText();
    Console.WriteLine($"Extracted text: {text}");

    // Add watermark to all pages
    foreach (var p in existingDoc.Pages)
    {
        using (var watermark = new PdfFormattedText())
        {
            watermark.Append("CONFIDENTIAL");
            watermark.FontSize = 50;
            watermark.Color = PdfColor.FromRgb(0.5, 0.5, 0.5);
            watermark.Opacity = 0.3;

            // Calculate center position
            var pageWidth = p.MediaBox.Width;
            var pageHeight = p.MediaBox.Height;
            var textWidth = watermark.Width;
            var textHeight = watermark.Height;

            var x = (pageWidth - textWidth) / 2;
            var y = (pageHeight - textHeight) / 2;

            // Draw watermark diagonally
            p.Content.SaveGraphicsState();
            p.Content.SetTransform(1, 0, 0, 1, x, y);
            p.Content.SetTransform(0.7071, 0.7071, -0.7071, 0.7071, 0, 0);
            p.Content.DrawText(watermark, new PdfPoint(0, 0));
            p.Content.RestoreGraphicsState();
        }
    }

    existingDoc.Save("watermarked-document.pdf");
}

using GemBox.Pdf;
using GemBox.Pdf.Content;
using GemBox.Pdf.Forms;
using GemBox.Pdf.Security;

// Set license (use FREE-LIMITED-KEY for evaluation)
ComponentInfo.SetLicense("FREE-LIMITED-KEY");

// Create a new PDF document from scratch
using (var document = new PdfDocument())
{
    // Add a page with custom size
    var page = document.Pages.Add();

    // Create formatted text with multiple styles
    using (var formattedText = new PdfFormattedText())
    {
        formattedText.FontSize = 24;
        formattedText.FontFamily = new PdfFontFamily("Arial");
        formattedText.Color = PdfColor.FromRgb(0.2, 0.2, 0.6);
        formattedText.AppendLine("GemBox.Pdf Document Example");

        formattedText.FontSize = 12;
        formattedText.Color = PdfColor.FromRgb(0, 0, 0);
        formattedText.AppendLine("This document demonstrates PDF creation and manipulation features.");

        // Draw text to the page
        page.Content.DrawText(formattedText, new PdfPoint(50, 700));
    }

    // Add a form to the document
    var form = document.Form;

    // Create text field
    var textField = form.Fields.AddText(page, 50, 600, 200, 30);
    textField.Name = "CustomerName";
    textField.Value = "Enter your name";
    textField.Format.Fill.Color = PdfColor.FromRgb(0.95, 0.95, 0.95);

    // Create checkbox
    var checkBox = form.Fields.AddCheck(page, 50, 550, 20, 20);
    checkBox.Name = "Agreement";
    checkBox.Checked = false;

    // Add descriptive text next to checkbox
    using (var checkboxLabel = new PdfFormattedText())
    {
        checkboxLabel.Append("I agree to the terms and conditions");
        page.Content.DrawText(checkboxLabel, new PdfPoint(80, 555));
    }

    // Create submit button
    var submitButton = form.Fields.AddButton(page, 50, 500, 100, 30);
    submitButton.Name = "Submit";
    submitButton.Actions.Activate = PdfActionType.Named;

    // Add button appearance
    using (var buttonText = new PdfFormattedText())
    {
        buttonText.Append("Submit Form");
        buttonText.FontSize = 14;
        buttonText.Color = PdfColor.FromRgb(1, 1, 1);

        // Create button appearance stream
        var appearance = submitButton.Appearance.Normal;
        appearance.Fill.Color = PdfColor.FromRgb(0.2, 0.4, 0.8);
        appearance.Stroke.Color = PdfColor.FromRgb(0.1, 0.2, 0.4);
        appearance.Stroke.Width = 1;

        // Draw button background
        appearance.DrawRectangle(new PdfPoint(0, 0), new PdfSize(100, 30), true, true);

        // Draw button text
        appearance.DrawText(buttonText, new PdfPoint(20, 10));
    }

    // Add a table using low-level graphics
    var tableTop = 400;
    var tableLeft = 50;
    var cellWidth = 150;
    var cellHeight = 30;

    // Draw table headers
    page.Content.DrawRectangle(new PdfPoint(tableLeft, tableTop), 
        new PdfSize(cellWidth * 3, cellHeight), true, true);

    using (var headerText = new PdfFormattedText())
    {
        headerText.FontSize = 12;
        headerText.Color = PdfColor.FromRgb(1, 1, 1);
        headerText.Append("Product");
        page.Content.DrawText(headerText, new PdfPoint(tableLeft + 10, tableTop + 10));

        headerText.Clear();
        headerText.Append("Quantity");
        page.Content.DrawText(headerText, new PdfPoint(tableLeft + cellWidth + 10, tableTop + 10));

        headerText.Clear();
        headerText.Append("Price");
        page.Content.DrawText(headerText, new PdfPoint(tableLeft + cellWidth * 2 + 10, tableTop + 10));
    }

    // Draw table data rows
    var rowData = new[]
    {
        new { Product = "PDF Library", Quantity = "1", Price = "$890" },
        new { Product = "Support Plan", Quantity = "1", Price = "$299" },
        new { Product = "Training", Quantity = "2", Price = "$500" }
    };

    var currentY = tableTop - cellHeight;
    foreach (var row in rowData)
    {
        // Draw cell borders
        page.Content.DrawRectangle(new PdfPoint(tableLeft, currentY), 
            new PdfSize(cellWidth, cellHeight), false, true);
        page.Content.DrawRectangle(new PdfPoint(tableLeft + cellWidth, currentY), 
            new PdfSize(cellWidth, cellHeight), false, true);
        page.Content.DrawRectangle(new PdfPoint(tableLeft + cellWidth * 2, currentY), 
            new PdfSize(cellWidth, cellHeight), false, true);

        // Draw cell content
        using (var cellText = new PdfFormattedText())
        {
            cellText.FontSize = 11;
            cellText.Append(row.Product);
            page.Content.DrawText(cellText, new PdfPoint(tableLeft + 10, currentY + 10));

            cellText.Clear();
            cellText.Append(row.Quantity);
            page.Content.DrawText(cellText, new PdfPoint(tableLeft + cellWidth + 10, currentY + 10));

            cellText.Clear();
            cellText.Append(row.Price);
            page.Content.DrawText(cellText, new PdfPoint(tableLeft + cellWidth * 2 + 10, currentY + 10));
        }

        currentY -= cellHeight;
    }

    // Apply security settings
    var securitySettings = document.SecuritySettings;
    securitySettings.DocumentOpenPassword = "user123";
    securitySettings.PermissionsPassword = "owner123";
    securitySettings.Permissions = PdfPermissions.AllowPrint | PdfPermissions.AllowFormFill;

    // Save the document
    document.Save("gembox-example.pdf");
}

// Example: Manipulating existing PDF
using (var existingDoc = PdfDocument.Load("existing-document.pdf"))
{
    // Extract text from first page
    var page = existingDoc.Pages[0];
    var text = page.Content.GetText();
    Console.WriteLine($"Extracted text: {text}");

    // Add watermark to all pages
    foreach (var p in existingDoc.Pages)
    {
        using (var watermark = new PdfFormattedText())
        {
            watermark.Append("CONFIDENTIAL");
            watermark.FontSize = 50;
            watermark.Color = PdfColor.FromRgb(0.5, 0.5, 0.5);
            watermark.Opacity = 0.3;

            // Calculate center position
            var pageWidth = p.MediaBox.Width;
            var pageHeight = p.MediaBox.Height;
            var textWidth = watermark.Width;
            var textHeight = watermark.Height;

            var x = (pageWidth - textWidth) / 2;
            var y = (pageHeight - textHeight) / 2;

            // Draw watermark diagonally
            p.Content.SaveGraphicsState();
            p.Content.SetTransform(1, 0, 0, 1, x, y);
            p.Content.SetTransform(0.7071, 0.7071, -0.7071, 0.7071, 0, 0);
            p.Content.DrawText(watermark, new PdfPoint(0, 0));
            p.Content.RestoreGraphicsState();
        }
    }

    existingDoc.Save("watermarked-document.pdf");
}

Imports GemBox.Pdf
Imports GemBox.Pdf.Content
Imports GemBox.Pdf.Forms
Imports GemBox.Pdf.Security

' Set license (use FREE-LIMITED-KEY for evaluation)
ComponentInfo.SetLicense("FREE-LIMITED-KEY")

' Create a new PDF document from scratch
Using document = New PdfDocument()
	' Add a page with custom size
	Dim page = document.Pages.Add()

	' Create formatted text with multiple styles
	Using formattedText = New PdfFormattedText()
		formattedText.FontSize = 24
		formattedText.FontFamily = New PdfFontFamily("Arial")
		formattedText.Color = PdfColor.FromRgb(0.2, 0.2, 0.6)
		formattedText.AppendLine("GemBox.Pdf Document Example")

		formattedText.FontSize = 12
		formattedText.Color = PdfColor.FromRgb(0, 0, 0)
		formattedText.AppendLine("This document demonstrates PDF creation and manipulation features.")

		' Draw text to the page
		page.Content.DrawText(formattedText, New PdfPoint(50, 700))
	End Using

	' Add a form to the document
	Dim form = document.Form

	' Create text field
	Dim textField = form.Fields.AddText(page, 50, 600, 200, 30)
	textField.Name = "CustomerName"
	textField.Value = "Enter your name"
	textField.Format.Fill.Color = PdfColor.FromRgb(0.95, 0.95, 0.95)

	' Create checkbox
	Dim checkBox = form.Fields.AddCheck(page, 50, 550, 20, 20)
	checkBox.Name = "Agreement"
	checkBox.Checked = False

	' Add descriptive text next to checkbox
	Using checkboxLabel = New PdfFormattedText()
		checkboxLabel.Append("I agree to the terms and conditions")
		page.Content.DrawText(checkboxLabel, New PdfPoint(80, 555))
	End Using

	' Create submit button
	Dim submitButton = form.Fields.AddButton(page, 50, 500, 100, 30)
	submitButton.Name = "Submit"
	submitButton.Actions.Activate = PdfActionType.Named

	' Add button appearance
	Using buttonText = New PdfFormattedText()
		buttonText.Append("Submit Form")
		buttonText.FontSize = 14
		buttonText.Color = PdfColor.FromRgb(1, 1, 1)

		' Create button appearance stream
		Dim appearance = submitButton.Appearance.Normal
		appearance.Fill.Color = PdfColor.FromRgb(0.2, 0.4, 0.8)
		appearance.Stroke.Color = PdfColor.FromRgb(0.1, 0.2, 0.4)
		appearance.Stroke.Width = 1

		' Draw button background
		appearance.DrawRectangle(New PdfPoint(0, 0), New PdfSize(100, 30), True, True)

		' Draw button text
		appearance.DrawText(buttonText, New PdfPoint(20, 10))
	End Using

	' Add a table using low-level graphics
	Dim tableTop = 400
	Dim tableLeft = 50
	Dim cellWidth = 150
	Dim cellHeight = 30

	' Draw table headers
	page.Content.DrawRectangle(New PdfPoint(tableLeft, tableTop), New PdfSize(cellWidth * 3, cellHeight), True, True)

	Using headerText = New PdfFormattedText()
		headerText.FontSize = 12
		headerText.Color = PdfColor.FromRgb(1, 1, 1)
		headerText.Append("Product")
		page.Content.DrawText(headerText, New PdfPoint(tableLeft + 10, tableTop + 10))

		headerText.Clear()
		headerText.Append("Quantity")
		page.Content.DrawText(headerText, New PdfPoint(tableLeft + cellWidth + 10, tableTop + 10))

		headerText.Clear()
		headerText.Append("Price")
		page.Content.DrawText(headerText, New PdfPoint(tableLeft + cellWidth * 2 + 10, tableTop + 10))
	End Using

	' Draw table data rows
	Dim rowData = {
		New With {
			Key .Product = "PDF Library",
			Key .Quantity = "1",
			Key .Price = "$890"
		},
		New With {
			Key .Product = "Support Plan",
			Key .Quantity = "1",
			Key .Price = "$299"
		},
		New With {
			Key .Product = "Training",
			Key .Quantity = "2",
			Key .Price = "$500"
		}
	}

	Dim currentY = tableTop - cellHeight
	For Each row In rowData
		' Draw cell borders
		page.Content.DrawRectangle(New PdfPoint(tableLeft, currentY), New PdfSize(cellWidth, cellHeight), False, True)
		page.Content.DrawRectangle(New PdfPoint(tableLeft + cellWidth, currentY), New PdfSize(cellWidth, cellHeight), False, True)
		page.Content.DrawRectangle(New PdfPoint(tableLeft + cellWidth * 2, currentY), New PdfSize(cellWidth, cellHeight), False, True)

		' Draw cell content
		Using cellText = New PdfFormattedText()
			cellText.FontSize = 11
			cellText.Append(row.Product)
			page.Content.DrawText(cellText, New PdfPoint(tableLeft + 10, currentY + 10))

			cellText.Clear()
			cellText.Append(row.Quantity)
			page.Content.DrawText(cellText, New PdfPoint(tableLeft + cellWidth + 10, currentY + 10))

			cellText.Clear()
			cellText.Append(row.Price)
			page.Content.DrawText(cellText, New PdfPoint(tableLeft + cellWidth * 2 + 10, currentY + 10))
		End Using

		currentY -= cellHeight
	Next row

	' Apply security settings
	Dim securitySettings = document.SecuritySettings
	securitySettings.DocumentOpenPassword = "user123"
	securitySettings.PermissionsPassword = "owner123"
	securitySettings.Permissions = PdfPermissions.AllowPrint Or PdfPermissions.AllowFormFill

	' Save the document
	document.Save("gembox-example.pdf")
End Using

' Example: Manipulating existing PDF
Using existingDoc = PdfDocument.Load("existing-document.pdf")
	' Extract text from first page
	Dim page = existingDoc.Pages(0)
	Dim text = page.Content.GetText()
	Console.WriteLine($"Extracted text: {text}")

	' Add watermark to all pages
	For Each p In existingDoc.Pages
		Using watermark = New PdfFormattedText()
			watermark.Append("CONFIDENTIAL")
			watermark.FontSize = 50
			watermark.Color = PdfColor.FromRgb(0.5, 0.5, 0.5)
			watermark.Opacity = 0.3

			' Calculate center position
			Dim pageWidth = p.MediaBox.Width
			Dim pageHeight = p.MediaBox.Height
			Dim textWidth = watermark.Width
			Dim textHeight = watermark.Height

			Dim x = (pageWidth - textWidth) \ 2
			Dim y = (pageHeight - textHeight) \ 2

			' Draw watermark diagonally
			p.Content.SaveGraphicsState()
			p.Content.SetTransform(1, 0, 0, 1, x, y)
			p.Content.SetTransform(0.7071, 0.7071, -0.7071, 0.7071, 0, 0)
			p.Content.DrawText(watermark, New PdfPoint(0, 0))
			p.Content.RestoreGraphicsState()
		End Using
	Next p

	existingDoc.Save("watermarked-document.pdf")
End Using

$vbLabelText $csharpLabel

This example showcases GemBox.Pdf's strength in low-level PDF manipulation, demonstrating form creation, graphics drawing, and document security features. While the code is more verbose than IronPDF's HTML approach, it provides precise control over every aspect of the PDF.

How Do These Libraries Handle HTML to PDF Conversion?

The approach to HTML to PDF conversion represents one of the most significant differences between IronPDF and GemBox.Pdf.

IronPDF's HTML to PDF Approach

IronPDF was built from the ground up with HTML to PDF conversion as its primary focus. The library includes a full Chrome rendering engine that processes HTML, CSS, and JavaScript exactly as a web browser would. This means:

True Browser Rendering: Uses the same Blink engine as Google Chrome
Complete Web Standards: Full support for CSS3, HTML5, flexbox, grid, and modern JavaScript
Dynamic Content: Executes JavaScript before rendering, capturing AJAX content and dynamic elements
Responsive Design: Handles media queries and responsive layouts
External Resources: Automatically fetches images, stylesheets, and fonts from URLs

GemBox's Limited HTML Support

GemBox.Pdf itself does not support HTML to PDF conversion. To convert HTML to PDF with GemBox, developers must:

Purchase GemBox.Document separately ($890 additional cost)
Use GemBox.Document to convert HTML to DOCX
Then convert DOCX to PDF

This approach has significant limitations:

No JavaScript Support: Cannot process dynamic content
Limited CSS Support: Many modern CSS features are unsupported
Styling Issues: Known problems with borders, complex layouts as noted in Stack Overflow discussions
Print-Optimized Only: Requires HTML specifically formatted for print
Additional Cost: Requires purchasing two separate libraries

Which Library Excels at Different PDF Tasks?

Understanding where each library shines helps developers choose the right tool for their specific needs.

Where IronPDF Excels

IronPDF demonstrates superior performance in these scenarios:

1. Web Application PDF Generation

Perfect for SaaS applications, web portals, and any system that needs to convert web content to PDF. The Chrome rendering engine ensures that complex web layouts, including those using Bootstrap, Tailwind CSS, or custom frameworks, render perfectly.

2. Dynamic Report Generation

When reports include charts (Chart.js, D3.js), dynamic data visualization, or JavaScript-rendered content, IronPDF captures everything accurately. This makes it ideal for business intelligence dashboards and data-driven applications.

3. Invoice and Document Templates

Using HTML/CSS templates for invoices, receipts, and business documents allows designers to create templates without learning PDF-specific APIs. Changes can be made quickly using familiar web technologies.

4. Rapid Development Projects

The simple API and HTML-based approach significantly reduce development time. A developer can create a complex PDF in minutes rather than hours.

5. Cross-Platform Deployment

With native support for Windows, Linux, macOS, Docker, and cloud platforms, IronPDF simplifies deployment across diverse environments.

Where GemBox.Pdf Excels

GemBox.Pdf shows its strengths in these areas:

1. Low-Level PDF Manipulation

When precise control over PDF structure is required, GemBox.Pdf's object-oriented approach provides direct access to PDF elements, streams, and dictionaries.

2. Form-Heavy Applications

For applications that work extensively with PDF forms, GemBox.Pdf offers comprehensive form field manipulation, including creating complex interactive forms programmatically.

3. OCR Requirements

With built-in OCR capabilities, GemBox.Pdf can extract text from scanned documents without requiring additional libraries, making it suitable for document digitization projects.

4. Mobile Development

Native support for Android and iOS platforms makes GemBox.Pdf a good choice for mobile applications that need PDF functionality.

5. Existing PDF Modification

When working primarily with existing PDFs rather than generating new ones, GemBox.Pdf's tools for extraction, manipulation, and modification are well-suited to the task.

How Do Installation and Setup Compare?

Both libraries offer straightforward installation through NuGet, but with different complexity levels.

Installing IronPDF

IronPDF installation is remarkably simple:

Install-Package IronPdf

Or via the .NET CLI:

dotnet add package IronPdf

The package includes everything needed, including the Chrome rendering engine. No additional configuration or dependencies are required for most use cases.

For specific deployment scenarios, IronPDF offers:

IronPdf.Slim: Lightweight package that downloads platform-specific components at runtime
IronPdf.Linux: Pre-configured for Linux deployments
IronPdf.MacOs: Optimized for macOS environments

Installing GemBox.Pdf

GemBox.Pdf installation is equally simple for basic PDF manipulation:

Install-Package GemBox.Pdf

However, for HTML to PDF conversion, you'll need:

Install-Package GemBox.Document

Both libraries require license key configuration:

// IronPDF
License.LicenseKey = "YOUR-LICENSE-KEY";

// GemBox.Pdf
ComponentInfo.SetLicense("YOUR-LICENSE-KEY");

// IronPDF
License.LicenseKey = "YOUR-LICENSE-KEY";

// GemBox.Pdf
ComponentInfo.SetLicense("YOUR-LICENSE-KEY");

' IronPDF
License.LicenseKey = "YOUR-LICENSE-KEY"

' GemBox.Pdf
ComponentInfo.SetLicense("YOUR-LICENSE-KEY")

$vbLabelText $csharpLabel

What Are the Licensing and Pricing Differences?

Understanding the licensing models helps determine the total cost of ownership for each solution.

IronPDF Licensing

IronPDF offers transparent, tiered licensing:

Lite License: $749
- 1 developer
- 1 project
- 1 year of support and updates
Plus License: $1,499
- 3 developers
- 3 projects
- 1 year of support and updates
Professional License: $2,999
- 10 developers
- 10 projects
- 1 year of support and updates

Additional Options:

Royalty-free redistribution: +$1,999
SaaS/OEM licensing available
Iron Suite bundle: $1,498 for 9 products

Key Benefits:

30-day money-back guarantee
Perpetual licenses (one-time purchase)
Free development and testing
Deployment to dev/staging/production included

GemBox.Pdf Licensing

GemBox offers per-developer licensing:

Single Developer: $890
- 1 developer
- Unlimited projects
- 1 year of support and updates
- Royalty-free deployment included

Important Considerations:

HTML to PDF requires GemBox.Document: Additional $890
Total cost for HTML to PDF: $1,780 minimum
40% discount on renewals (60% if renewed before expiration)
GemBox Bundle: $2,200 for 7 products

Key Benefits:

30-day money-back guarantee
Perpetual licenses
Unlimited deployment included
No server or OEM licenses required

Cost Comparison for Common Scenarios

Scenario	IronPDF Cost	GemBox Cost
Single developer, HTML to PDF	$749	$1,780
3 developers, PDF manipulation only	$1,499	$2,670
3 developers, HTML to PDF	$1,499	$5,340
Enterprise (10 devs), full features	$2,999	$8,900+

Which Library Should You Choose?

The choice between IronPDF and GemBox.Pdf depends on your specific requirements:

Choose IronPDF When:

HTML to PDF is a primary requirement: IronPDF's Chrome-based rendering is unmatched
You need modern web support: Full CSS3, HTML5, and JavaScript capabilities
Rapid development is important: Simple API reduces time to market
You work with dynamic content: JavaScript execution captures real-time data
Cross-platform deployment is needed: Excellent support for cloud and containerized environments
Budget is a consideration: Lower entry cost and better value for HTML to PDF scenarios

Choose GemBox.Pdf When:

Low-level PDF control is essential: Direct access to PDF objects and structure
Mobile platform support is required: Native Android and iOS compatibility
OCR is a core requirement: Built-in OCR without additional dependencies
You work primarily with existing PDFs: Strong manipulation and extraction features
HTML to PDF is not needed: Avoid paying for unused GemBox.Document
Unlimited deployment is important: Royalty-free redistribution included

Consider Using Both Libraries When:

Some organizations find value in using both libraries for different parts of their application:

IronPDF for report generation and HTML to PDF conversion
GemBox.Pdf for form processing and PDF manipulation

Getting Started with Your Chosen Library

Both libraries offer free trials to evaluate their capabilities:

Try IronPDF

Install the NuGet package
No license key needed for development
Watermarks appear on PDFs in trial mode
Full feature access during evaluation

Download IronPDF Free Trial

Try GemBox.Pdf

Install the NuGet package
Use ComponentInfo.SetLicense("FREE-LIMITED-KEY")
Limited to 2 pages in free mode
Upgrade to remove limitations

Visual Installation Guide

For developers preferring Visual Studio's graphical interface, here's a step-by-step guide to installing both libraries:

Creating a New ASP.NET Project

Visual Studio New Project dialog showing ASP.NET Web Application selection with .NET Framework options Visual Studio's New Project dialog for creating an ASP.NET Web Application - the foundation for PDF generation projects

ASP.NET project template selection screen highlighting Web Forms option for PDF library integration Selecting Web Forms as the project template - suitable for both IronPDF and GemBox.Pdf implementations

Installing PDF Libraries via NuGet

Solution Explorer context menu showing Manage NuGet Packages option for adding PDF libraries Right-click your project in Solution Explorer to access NuGet Package Manager for library installation

Visual Studio Project menu displaying Manage NuGet Packages option for PDF library installation Alternative access to NuGet Package Manager through the Project menu in Visual Studio

NuGet Package Manager interface showing IronPDF installation with version details and description Installing IronPDF through NuGet Package Manager - note the comprehensive feature description and download count

Alternative Installation Methods

IronPDF official website download page showing direct DLL download option for manual installation IronPDF's website offers direct DLL downloads for scenarios where NuGet installation isn't suitable

Conclusion

Both IronPDF and GemBox.Pdf are quality PDF libraries for .NET developers, each with distinct strengths. IronPDF excels at HTML to PDF conversion with its Chrome rendering engine, making it ideal for modern web applications and dynamic content generation. GemBox.Pdf shines in low-level PDF manipulation and mobile support, perfect for applications requiring precise PDF control.

For most web developers and teams building modern applications, IronPDF offers the best combination of features, ease of use, and value. Its ability to render pixel-perfect PDFs from HTML using familiar web technologies significantly reduces development time and complexity.

However, GemBox.Pdf remains a solid choice for specialized scenarios, particularly mobile development and applications focused on PDF form processing or OCR requirements.

Ready to transform your HTML content into professional PDFs? Get started with IronPDF's free trial and experience the power of Chrome-quality rendering in your .NET applications. With comprehensive documentation, extensive code examples, and responsive support, you'll be generating PDFs in minutes, not hours.

Please noteGemBox.Pdf and GemBox.Document are registered trademarks of their respective owners. This site is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by GemBox.Pdf or GemBox.Document. All product names, logos, and brands are property of their respective owners. Comparisons are for informational purposes only and reflect publicly available information at the time of writing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I convert HTML to PDF in C#?

You can use IronPDF's RenderHtmlAsPdf method to convert HTML strings into PDFs. You can also convert HTML files into PDFs using RenderHtmlFileAsPdf.

Can I manipulate existing PDF files with these libraries?

Yes, both IronPDF and GemBox.Pdf can be used to manipulate existing PDF files. IronPDF simplifies common tasks like merging, splitting, and adding watermarks. GemBox.Pdf offers more granular control over PDF objects, which is useful for complex manipulation tasks.

What are the advantages of using IronPDF for HTML to PDF conversion?

IronPDF offers superior HTML to PDF conversion quality with its Chrome V8 rendering engine, achieving 98%+ browser fidelity. It supports modern CSS3, HTML5, JavaScript execution, web fonts, and responsive designs.

Which library is more cost-effective for a small development team?

For a 3-developer team needing HTML to PDF conversion, IronPDF costs $1,499 for the Plus license, while GemBox would cost $5,340 for 3 GemBox.Pdf licenses and 3 GemBox.Document licenses. IronPDF offers significantly better value for teams.

Is IronPDF suitable for high-volume PDF generation?

Yes, IronPDF provides excellent performance with approximately 125ms HTML to PDF rendering time, optimized async/await support, and efficient memory usage under 10MB. It is well-suited for high-volume web-based PDF generation.

What kind of support is included with IronPDF?

IronPDF includes 24/5 engineering support with direct access to the development team and typical 24-48 hour response times, along with comprehensive documentation and code examples.

Can I create PDF/A compliant documents with these libraries?

Yes, IronPDF can generate PDF/A compliant documents with a simple method call like SaveAsPdfA(), supporting multiple PDF/A versions. GemBox.Pdf can read PDF/A documents and maintain compliance when modifying them.

Are these libraries compatible with modern .NET frameworks?

Yes, both libraries support modern .NET versions. IronPDF supports .NET Framework 4.6.2+, .NET Core 3.1+, and .NET 5 through 10. GemBox.Pdf supports .NET Framework 3.5+, .NET Standard 2.0, and .NET 6+.

Which library is optimized for cloud deployment?

IronPDF is optimized for cloud deployment with specific support for Azure, AWS, Docker containers, and serverless environments. Its HTML-based approach fits naturally with web applications, making it the better choice for SaaS applications.

Is there a free version available for testing IronPDF?

IronPDF offers a free evaluation option that allows unlimited development and testing without a license key, though watermarks will appear on output. This provides enough functionality to evaluate the product before purchasing.

Jacob Mellor

Chat with engineering team now

Chief Technology Officer

Jacob Mellor is Chief Technology Officer at Iron Software and a visionary engineer pioneering C# PDF technology. As the original developer behind Iron Software's core codebase, he has shaped the company's product architecture since its inception, transforming it alongside CEO Cameron Rimington into a 50+ person company serving NASA, Tesla, ...Read More

A Comparison between IronPDF and ITextPDF

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IronPDF vs GemBox.Pdf: Complete .NET PDF Library Comparison Guide for HTML to PDF Conversion

Quick Comparison Overview

What is the IronPDF Library?

Core Features of IronPDF

HTML to PDF Conversion Excellence

Advanced PDF Manipulation

Security and Compliance

IronPDF Code Example: HTML to PDF with Advanced Features

What is the GemBox.Pdf Library?

Core Features of GemBox.Pdf

PDF Document Operations

Content Extraction and Manipulation

Forms and Interactivity

Graphics and Visual Elements

GemBox.Pdf Code Example: PDF Manipulation and Forms

How Do These Libraries Handle HTML to PDF Conversion?

IronPDF's HTML to PDF Approach

GemBox's Limited HTML Support

Which Library Excels at Different PDF Tasks?

Where IronPDF Excels

1. Web Application PDF Generation

2. Dynamic Report Generation

3. Invoice and Document Templates

4. Rapid Development Projects

5. Cross-Platform Deployment

Where GemBox.Pdf Excels

1. Low-Level PDF Manipulation

2. Form-Heavy Applications

3. OCR Requirements

4. Mobile Development

5. Existing PDF Modification

How Do Installation and Setup Compare?

Installing IronPDF

Installing GemBox.Pdf

What Are the Licensing and Pricing Differences?

IronPDF Licensing

GemBox.Pdf Licensing

Cost Comparison for Common Scenarios

Which Library Should You Choose?

Choose IronPDF When:

Choose GemBox.Pdf When:

Consider Using Both Libraries When:

Getting Started with Your Chosen Library

Try IronPDF

Try GemBox.Pdf

Visual Installation Guide

Creating a New ASP.NET Project

Installing PDF Libraries via NuGet

Alternative Installation Methods

Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I convert HTML to PDF in C#?

Can I manipulate existing PDF files with these libraries?

What are the advantages of using IronPDF for HTML to PDF conversion?

Which library is more cost-effective for a small development team?

Is IronPDF suitable for high-volume PDF generation?

What kind of support is included with IronPDF?

Can I create PDF/A compliant documents with these libraries?

Are these libraries compatible with modern .NET frameworks?

Which library is optimized for cloud deployment?

Is there a free version available for testing IronPDF?

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