IronPDF vs Puppeteer Sharp: Complete C# PDF Library Comparison Guide

When building .NET applications that require PDF functionality, developers often face a crucial decision: which PDF library best suits their needs? Two popular options that frequently come up in discussions are IronPDF and Puppeteer Sharp. While both libraries can generate PDFs from HTML content, they differ significantly in their approach, features, and use cases.

IronPDF is a comprehensive PDF library designed specifically for .NET developers, offering extensive PDF manipulation capabilities beyond simple generation. Puppeteer Sharp, on the other hand, is a .NET port of Google's Puppeteer library, primarily focused on browser automation with PDF generation as one of its features. Understanding the strengths and limitations of each library is essential for making an informed decision that aligns with your project requirements.

Quick Comparison Table

Overview of IronPDF and Puppeteer Sharp

What is IronPDF?

IronPDF is a comprehensive .NET PDF library specifically designed for generating, editing, and manipulating PDF documents. Built with C# developers in mind, it provides an intuitive API that simplifies complex PDF operations into straightforward method calls. The library leverages a built-in Chrome rendering engine to ensure pixel-perfect conversion from HTML to PDF, making it ideal for creating professional documents like invoices, reports, and certificates.

What sets IronPDF apart is its extensive feature set beyond basic PDF generation. The library supports advanced PDF manipulation including encryption, digital signatures, form filling, watermarking, and document merging. With support for the latest .NET versions including .NET 9 and upcoming .NET 10 compatibility, IronPDF positions itself as a future-proof solution for enterprise PDF needs.

What is Puppeteer Sharp?

Puppeteer Sharp is a .NET port of Google's popular Node.js Puppeteer library, maintained by Darío Kondratiuk. It provides a high-level API to control headless Chrome or Chromium browsers programmatically through the DevTools Protocol. While Puppeteer Sharp can generate PDFs, it's primarily designed as a browser automation tool that excels at web scraping, automated testing, and capturing screenshots.

The library operates by launching and controlling a headless browser instance, allowing developers to navigate web pages, interact with elements, and export content in various formats including PDF. According to recent benchmarks, Puppeteer Sharp offers performance advantages for simple HTML rendering but requires more complex setup compared to dedicated PDF libraries.

How Does Cross-Platform Compatibility Compare?

IronPDF Cross-Platform Support

IronPDF demonstrates exceptional cross-platform compatibility, supporting deployment across virtually any environment. The library works seamlessly on:

• .NET versions:

  • .NET 9, 8, 7, 6, 5 (with .NET 10 readiness)
  • .NET Core 3.1+
  • .NET Standard 2.0+
  • .NET Framework 4.6.2+
  • Full support for C#, VB.NET, and F#

• Operating Systems & Environments:

  • Windows (including Windows Server)
  • Linux (all major distributions)
  • macOS (Intel and Apple Silicon)
  • Docker containers
  • Cloud platforms: Azure, AWS Lambda
• Development Tools:
  • Microsoft Visual Studio
  • JetBrains Rider & ReSharper
  • Visual Studio Code

IronPDF's native cross-platform support means no additional packages or configuration needed for different environments. The library automatically detects and optimizes for the target platform, as noted in the compatibility milestone update.

Puppeteer Sharp Cross-Platform Support

Puppeteer Sharp offers cross-platform compatibility with some important considerations:

• .NET versions:

  • .NET 8 version available
  • .NET Standard 2.0 library
  • .NET Framework 4.6.1+
  • .NET Core 2.0 or greater

• Operating Systems:

  • Windows (full support)
  • Linux (requires X-server, may need troubleshooting)
  • macOS (standard support)
  • Docker (with Chrome dependencies)
• Browser Requirements:
  • Requires downloading Chromium binaries (~170MB)
  • Supports Chrome, Chromium, and Firefox browsers
  • Headless and headful modes available

According to the official documentation, Linux users may encounter issues running Chrome and need to consult the troubleshooting guide. The library requires managing browser downloads and lifecycle, adding complexity to deployment.

Which Library Offers Better PDF Functionality?

When evaluating PDF capabilities, the differences between IronPDF and Puppeteer Sharp become particularly evident. Let's examine their core features in detail.

IronPDF Features

IronPDF provides a comprehensive suite of PDF manipulation tools:

• PDF Generation & Conversion:

  • HTML to PDF conversion with full CSS3, JavaScript, and web font support
  • Convert from multiple formats: DOCX, images, RTF, and Markdown
  • URL to PDF with authentication support
  • ASPX and MVC view rendering

• Security Features:

  • 256-bit AES encryption
  • Password protection with user/owner permissions
  • Digital signatures with certificate support
  • Permission management (print, copy, edit restrictions)

• PDF Editing Capabilities:

  • Merge and split PDFs
  • Add headers, footers, and page numbers
  • Watermarking with HTML/CSS
  • Form creation and filling
  • Text and image stamping
  • PDF compression
• Advanced Features:
  • PDF/A compliance for archival
  • OCR capabilities (via IronOCR integration)
  • Barcode generation
  • Multi-threading support

Puppeteer Sharp Features

Puppeteer Sharp focuses on browser automation with PDF as an output option:

• PDF Generation:

  • HTML to PDF via browser print functionality
  • Custom page sizes and margins
  • Headers and footers (limited styling)
  • Viewport control for responsive layouts

• Browser Automation:

  • Full control over headless Chrome/Chromium
  • JavaScript execution and waiting
  • Form filling and UI interaction
  • Network request interception

• Screenshot Capabilities:

  • Full page or element-specific captures
  • Multiple image formats (PNG, JPG)
  • Viewport manipulation
• Limitations:
  • No native PDF editing features
  • No encryption or security options
  • No digital signature support
  • No form creation tools
  • Requires external libraries for PDF manipulation

As noted by API Template, "Puppeteer Sharp is a C# port of the popular Puppeteer library, which is used for headless Chrome automation. In this article, we will see how to use Puppeteer Sharp to generate PDFs from HTML templates."

Real-World Code Examples: IronPDF vs Puppeteer Sharp

Let's explore practical implementations of both libraries to understand their usage patterns and capabilities.

HTML to PDF Conversion Comparison

IronPDF Example:

using IronPdf;

// Initialize the Chrome renderer
var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();

// Configure rendering options for professional output
renderer.RenderingOptions.PaperSize = PdfPaperSize.A4;
renderer.RenderingOptions.MarginTop = 40;
renderer.RenderingOptions.MarginBottom = 40;
renderer.RenderingOptions.CssMediaType = PdfCssMediaType.Print;

// Convert HTML string to PDF
var pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf(@"
    <html>
        <head>
            <style>
                body { font-family: Arial, sans-serif; }
                h1 { color: #2e6da4; }
                .invoice-header { background-color: #f5f5f5; padding: 20px; }
            </style>
        </head>
        <body>
            <div class='invoice-header'>
                <h1>Invoice #12345</h1>
                <p>Generated on: " + DateTime.Now.ToString("yyyy-MM-dd") + @"</p>
            </div>
        </body>
    </html>");

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

using IronPdf;

// Initialize the Chrome renderer
var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();

// Configure rendering options for professional output
renderer.RenderingOptions.PaperSize = PdfPaperSize.A4;
renderer.RenderingOptions.MarginTop = 40;
renderer.RenderingOptions.MarginBottom = 40;
renderer.RenderingOptions.CssMediaType = PdfCssMediaType.Print;

// Convert HTML string to PDF
var pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf(@"
    <html>
        <head>
            <style>
                body { font-family: Arial, sans-serif; }
                h1 { color: #2e6da4; }
                .invoice-header { background-color: #f5f5f5; padding: 20px; }
            </style>
        </head>
        <body>
            <div class='invoice-header'>
                <h1>Invoice #12345</h1>
                <p>Generated on: " + DateTime.Now.ToString("yyyy-MM-dd") + @"</p>
            </div>
        </body>
    </html>");

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

Imports IronPdf

' Initialize the Chrome renderer
Private renderer = New ChromePdfRenderer()

' Configure rendering options for professional output
renderer.RenderingOptions.PaperSize = PdfPaperSize.A4
renderer.RenderingOptions.MarginTop = 40
renderer.RenderingOptions.MarginBottom = 40
renderer.RenderingOptions.CssMediaType = PdfCssMediaType.Print

' Convert HTML string to PDF
Dim pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf("
    <html>
        <head>
            <style>
                body { font-family: Arial, sans-serif; }
                h1 { color: #2e6da4; }
                .invoice-header { background-color: #f5f5f5; padding: 20px; }
            </style>
        </head>
        <body>
            <div class='invoice-header'>
                <h1>Invoice #12345</h1>
                <p>Generated on: " & DateTime.Now.ToString("yyyy-MM-dd") & "</p>
            </div>
        </body>
    </html>")

' Save the PDF
pdf.SaveAs("invoice.pdf")

This IronPDF example demonstrates the library's straightforward approach. The ChromePdfRenderer class handles all the complexity of HTML rendering internally. Key advantages include:

• Single method call for conversion (RenderHtmlAsPdf)
• Built-in support for CSS media types
• No browser lifecycle management needed
• Immediate availability without downloading external dependencies

Puppeteer Sharp Example:

using PuppeteerSharp;

// Download Chromium if not already present
await new BrowserFetcher().DownloadAsync();

// Launch browser instance
var browser = await Puppeteer.LaunchAsync(new LaunchOptions
{
    Headless = true,
    Args = new[] { "--no-sandbox", "--disable-setuid-sandbox" }
});

try
{
    // Create new page
    var page = await browser.NewPageAsync();

    // Set content
    await page.SetContentAsync(@"
        <html>
            <head>
                <style>
                    body { font-family: Arial, sans-serif; }
                    h1 { color: #2e6da4; }
                    .invoice-header { background-color: #f5f5f5; padding: 20px; }
                </style>
            </head>
            <body>
                <div class='invoice-header'>
                    <h1>Invoice #12345</h1>
                    <p>Generated on: " + DateTime.Now.ToString("yyyy-MM-dd") + @"</p>
                </div>
            </body>
        </html>");

    // Wait for content to load
    await page.WaitForSelectorAsync(".invoice-header");

    // Generate PDF
    await page.PdfAsync("invoice.pdf", new PdfOptions
    {
        Format = PaperFormat.A4,
        MarginOptions = new MarginOptions
        {
            Top = "40px",
            Bottom = "40px",
            Left = "40px",
            Right = "40px"
        }
    });
}
finally
{
    // Clean up browser instance
    await browser.CloseAsync();
}

using PuppeteerSharp;

// Download Chromium if not already present
await new BrowserFetcher().DownloadAsync();

// Launch browser instance
var browser = await Puppeteer.LaunchAsync(new LaunchOptions
{
    Headless = true,
    Args = new[] { "--no-sandbox", "--disable-setuid-sandbox" }
});

try
{
    // Create new page
    var page = await browser.NewPageAsync();

    // Set content
    await page.SetContentAsync(@"
        <html>
            <head>
                <style>
                    body { font-family: Arial, sans-serif; }
                    h1 { color: #2e6da4; }
                    .invoice-header { background-color: #f5f5f5; padding: 20px; }
                </style>
            </head>
            <body>
                <div class='invoice-header'>
                    <h1>Invoice #12345</h1>
                    <p>Generated on: " + DateTime.Now.ToString("yyyy-MM-dd") + @"</p>
                </div>
            </body>
        </html>");

    // Wait for content to load
    await page.WaitForSelectorAsync(".invoice-header");

    // Generate PDF
    await page.PdfAsync("invoice.pdf", new PdfOptions
    {
        Format = PaperFormat.A4,
        MarginOptions = new MarginOptions
        {
            Top = "40px",
            Bottom = "40px",
            Left = "40px",
            Right = "40px"
        }
    });
}
finally
{
    // Clean up browser instance
    await browser.CloseAsync();
}

Imports PuppeteerSharp

' Download Chromium if not already present
Await (New BrowserFetcher()).DownloadAsync()

' Launch browser instance
Dim browser = Await Puppeteer.LaunchAsync(New LaunchOptions With {
	.Headless = True,
	.Args = { "--no-sandbox", "--disable-setuid-sandbox" }
})

Try
	' Create new page
	Dim page = Await browser.NewPageAsync()

	' Set content
	Await page.SetContentAsync("
        <html>
            <head>
                <style>
                    body { font-family: Arial, sans-serif; }
                    h1 { color: #2e6da4; }
                    .invoice-header { background-color: #f5f5f5; padding: 20px; }
                </style>
            </head>
            <body>
                <div class='invoice-header'>
                    <h1>Invoice #12345</h1>
                    <p>Generated on: " & DateTime.Now.ToString("yyyy-MM-dd") & "</p>
                </div>
            </body>
        </html>")

	' Wait for content to load
	Await page.WaitForSelectorAsync(".invoice-header")

	' Generate PDF
	Await page.PdfAsync("invoice.pdf", New PdfOptions With {
		.Format = PaperFormat.A4,
		.MarginOptions = New MarginOptions With {
			.Top = "40px",
			.Bottom = "40px",
			.Left = "40px",
			.Right = "40px"
		}
	})
Finally
	' Clean up browser instance
	Await browser.CloseAsync()
End Try

The Puppeteer Sharp approach requires more setup:

• Browser download and management (~170MB Chromium)
• Explicit resource cleanup with try/finally
• Manual wait conditions for dynamic content
• String-based margin specifications

According to Stack Overflow discussions, developers often struggle with page sizing and rendering consistency in Puppeteer Sharp.

Working with Dynamic Content

IronPDF with JavaScript:

using IronPdf;

var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();

// Configure JavaScript execution
renderer.RenderingOptions.EnableJavaScript = true;
renderer.RenderingOptions.RenderDelay = 2000; // Wait 2 seconds for JS

// Render a page with dynamic charts
var pdf = renderer.RenderUrlAsPdf("https://example.com/dashboard");

// Apply security settings
pdf.SecuritySettings.UserPassword = "user123";
pdf.SecuritySettings.OwnerPassword = "owner456";
pdf.SecuritySettings.AllowUserPrinting = IronPdf.Security.PdfPrintSecurity.NoPrint;

pdf.SaveAs("secure-dashboard.pdf");

using IronPdf;

var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();

// Configure JavaScript execution
renderer.RenderingOptions.EnableJavaScript = true;
renderer.RenderingOptions.RenderDelay = 2000; // Wait 2 seconds for JS

// Render a page with dynamic charts
var pdf = renderer.RenderUrlAsPdf("https://example.com/dashboard");

// Apply security settings
pdf.SecuritySettings.UserPassword = "user123";
pdf.SecuritySettings.OwnerPassword = "owner456";
pdf.SecuritySettings.AllowUserPrinting = IronPdf.Security.PdfPrintSecurity.NoPrint;

pdf.SaveAs("secure-dashboard.pdf");

Imports IronPdf

Private renderer = New ChromePdfRenderer()

' Configure JavaScript execution
renderer.RenderingOptions.EnableJavaScript = True
renderer.RenderingOptions.RenderDelay = 2000 ' Wait 2 seconds for JS

' Render a page with dynamic charts
Dim pdf = renderer.RenderUrlAsPdf("https://example.com/dashboard")

' Apply security settings
pdf.SecuritySettings.UserPassword = "user123"
pdf.SecuritySettings.OwnerPassword = "owner456"
pdf.SecuritySettings.AllowUserPrinting = IronPdf.Security.PdfPrintSecurity.NoPrint

pdf.SaveAs("secure-dashboard.pdf")

IronPDF's approach to dynamic content focuses on simplicity. The RenderDelay option provides a straightforward way to wait for JavaScript execution. Additional benefits:

• Security features integrated directly
• No need to manage browser states
• Consistent rendering across environments

For more complex JavaScript scenarios, IronPDF offers the WaitFor class for precise timing control.

Puppeteer Sharp with Dynamic Content:

using PuppeteerSharp;

var browser = await Puppeteer.LaunchAsync(new LaunchOptions { Headless = true });
var page = await browser.NewPageAsync();

// Navigate to page
await page.GoToAsync("https://example.com/dashboard", new NavigationOptions
{
    WaitUntil = new[] { WaitUntilNavigation.Networkidle0 }
});

// Execute custom JavaScript
await page.EvaluateExpressionAsync(@"
    // Trigger chart rendering
    document.dispatchEvent(new Event('load-charts'));
");

// Wait for specific element
await page.WaitForSelectorAsync(".chart-container", new WaitForSelectorOptions
{
    Visible = true,
    Timeout = 30000
});

// Generate PDF (no built-in security features)
await page.PdfAsync("dashboard.pdf");

await browser.CloseAsync();

using PuppeteerSharp;

var browser = await Puppeteer.LaunchAsync(new LaunchOptions { Headless = true });
var page = await browser.NewPageAsync();

// Navigate to page
await page.GoToAsync("https://example.com/dashboard", new NavigationOptions
{
    WaitUntil = new[] { WaitUntilNavigation.Networkidle0 }
});

// Execute custom JavaScript
await page.EvaluateExpressionAsync(@"
    // Trigger chart rendering
    document.dispatchEvent(new Event('load-charts'));
");

// Wait for specific element
await page.WaitForSelectorAsync(".chart-container", new WaitForSelectorOptions
{
    Visible = true,
    Timeout = 30000
});

// Generate PDF (no built-in security features)
await page.PdfAsync("dashboard.pdf");

await browser.CloseAsync();

Imports PuppeteerSharp

Private browser = await Puppeteer.LaunchAsync(New LaunchOptions With {.Headless = True})
Private page = await browser.NewPageAsync()

' Navigate to page
Await page.GoToAsync("https://example.com/dashboard", New NavigationOptions With {
	.WaitUntil = { WaitUntilNavigation.Networkidle0 }
})

' Execute custom JavaScript
Await page.EvaluateExpressionAsync("
    // Trigger chart rendering
    document.dispatchEvent(new Event('load-charts'));
")

' Wait for specific element
Await page.WaitForSelectorAsync(".chart-container", New WaitForSelectorOptions With {
	.Visible = True,
	.Timeout = 30000
})

' Generate PDF (no built-in security features)
Await page.PdfAsync("dashboard.pdf")

Await browser.CloseAsync()

Puppeteer Sharp excels at complex browser interactions:

• Fine-grained control over page navigation
• Custom JavaScript execution
• Flexible wait conditions
• Direct DOM manipulation

However, adding security features would require additional PDF libraries, as noted in the official documentation.

Advanced PDF Operations

IronPDF - Complete Document Workflow:

using IronPdf;
using IronPdf.Signing;

// Create initial PDF from HTML template
var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();
var invoice = renderer.RenderHtmlFileAsPdf("invoice-template.html");

// Add watermark
invoice.ApplyWatermark("<h2 style='color:red; opacity:0.5'>CONFIDENTIAL</h2>", 
    30, IronPdf.Editing.VerticalAlignment.Middle, 
    IronPdf.Editing.HorizontalAlignment.Center);

// Merge with terms and conditions
var terms = PdfDocument.FromFile("terms.pdf");
var combined = PdfDocument.Merge(invoice, terms);

// Add digital signature
var signature = new PdfSignature("certificate.pfx", "password");
combined.Sign(signature);

// Set metadata
combined.MetaData.Author = "Accounting Department";
combined.MetaData.Title = "Invoice #12345";
combined.MetaData.CreationDate = DateTime.Now;

// Compress and save
combined.CompressImages(90);
combined.SaveAs("final-invoice.pdf");

using IronPdf;
using IronPdf.Signing;

// Create initial PDF from HTML template
var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();
var invoice = renderer.RenderHtmlFileAsPdf("invoice-template.html");

// Add watermark
invoice.ApplyWatermark("<h2 style='color:red; opacity:0.5'>CONFIDENTIAL</h2>", 
    30, IronPdf.Editing.VerticalAlignment.Middle, 
    IronPdf.Editing.HorizontalAlignment.Center);

// Merge with terms and conditions
var terms = PdfDocument.FromFile("terms.pdf");
var combined = PdfDocument.Merge(invoice, terms);

// Add digital signature
var signature = new PdfSignature("certificate.pfx", "password");
combined.Sign(signature);

// Set metadata
combined.MetaData.Author = "Accounting Department";
combined.MetaData.Title = "Invoice #12345";
combined.MetaData.CreationDate = DateTime.Now;

// Compress and save
combined.CompressImages(90);
combined.SaveAs("final-invoice.pdf");

Imports IronPdf
Imports IronPdf.Signing

' Create initial PDF from HTML template
Private renderer = New ChromePdfRenderer()
Private invoice = renderer.RenderHtmlFileAsPdf("invoice-template.html")

' Add watermark
invoice.ApplyWatermark("<h2 style='color:red; opacity:0.5'>CONFIDENTIAL</h2>", 30, IronPdf.Editing.VerticalAlignment.Middle, IronPdf.Editing.HorizontalAlignment.Center)

' Merge with terms and conditions
Dim terms = PdfDocument.FromFile("terms.pdf")
Dim combined = PdfDocument.Merge(invoice, terms)

' Add digital signature
Dim signature = New PdfSignature("certificate.pfx", "password")
combined.Sign(signature)

' Set metadata
combined.MetaData.Author = "Accounting Department"
combined.MetaData.Title = "Invoice #12345"
combined.MetaData.CreationDate = DateTime.Now

' Compress and save
combined.CompressImages(90)
combined.SaveAs("final-invoice.pdf")

This example showcases IronPDF's comprehensive PDF manipulation capabilities:

• Template-based generation from HTML files
• Watermarking with CSS styling control
• Document merging for multi-part PDFs
• Digital signatures for authentication
• Metadata management for document properties
• Image compression to reduce file size

The stamping features and digital signature support make IronPDF suitable for enterprise document workflows.

Puppeteer Sharp - Browser Automation Focus:

using PuppeteerSharp;

var browser = await Puppeteer.LaunchAsync(new LaunchOptions 
{ 
    Headless = false, // Show browser for debugging
    SlowMo = 50 // Slow down actions
});

var page = await browser.NewPageAsync();

// Navigate to web application
await page.GoToAsync("https://app.example.com/login");

// Automate login
await page.TypeAsync("#username", "user@example.com");
await page.TypeAsync("#password", "password123");
await page.ClickAsync("#login-button");

// Wait for dashboard
await page.WaitForNavigationAsync();

// Take screenshot for documentation
await page.ScreenshotAsync("dashboard-screenshot.png", new ScreenshotOptions
{
    FullPage = true,
    Type = ScreenshotType.Png
});

// Generate report PDF
await page.ClickAsync("#generate-report");
await page.WaitForSelectorAsync(".report-ready");

// Save the generated report
await page.PdfAsync("automated-report.pdf", new PdfOptions
{
    DisplayHeaderFooter = true,
    HeaderTemplate = "<div style='font-size:10px;'>Report Header</div>",
    FooterTemplate = "<div style='font-size:10px;'>Page <span class='pageNumber'></span></div>",
    Format = PaperFormat.A4
});

await browser.CloseAsync();

using PuppeteerSharp;

var browser = await Puppeteer.LaunchAsync(new LaunchOptions 
{ 
    Headless = false, // Show browser for debugging
    SlowMo = 50 // Slow down actions
});

var page = await browser.NewPageAsync();

// Navigate to web application
await page.GoToAsync("https://app.example.com/login");

// Automate login
await page.TypeAsync("#username", "user@example.com");
await page.TypeAsync("#password", "password123");
await page.ClickAsync("#login-button");

// Wait for dashboard
await page.WaitForNavigationAsync();

// Take screenshot for documentation
await page.ScreenshotAsync("dashboard-screenshot.png", new ScreenshotOptions
{
    FullPage = true,
    Type = ScreenshotType.Png
});

// Generate report PDF
await page.ClickAsync("#generate-report");
await page.WaitForSelectorAsync(".report-ready");

// Save the generated report
await page.PdfAsync("automated-report.pdf", new PdfOptions
{
    DisplayHeaderFooter = true,
    HeaderTemplate = "<div style='font-size:10px;'>Report Header</div>",
    FooterTemplate = "<div style='font-size:10px;'>Page <span class='pageNumber'></span></div>",
    Format = PaperFormat.A4
});

await browser.CloseAsync();

Imports PuppeteerSharp

Private browser = await Puppeteer.LaunchAsync(New LaunchOptions With {
	.Headless = False,
	.SlowMo = 50
})

Private page = await browser.NewPageAsync()

' Navigate to web application
Await page.GoToAsync("https://app.example.com/login")

' Automate login
Await page.TypeAsync("#username", "user@example.com")
Await page.TypeAsync("#password", "password123")
Await page.ClickAsync("#login-button")

' Wait for dashboard
Await page.WaitForNavigationAsync()

' Take screenshot for documentation
Await page.ScreenshotAsync("dashboard-screenshot.png", New ScreenshotOptions With {
	.FullPage = True,
	.Type = ScreenshotType.Png
})

' Generate report PDF
Await page.ClickAsync("#generate-report")
Await page.WaitForSelectorAsync(".report-ready")

' Save the generated report
Await page.PdfAsync("automated-report.pdf", New PdfOptions With {
	.DisplayHeaderFooter = True,
	.HeaderTemplate = "<div style='font-size:10px;'>Report Header</div>",
	.FooterTemplate = "<div style='font-size:10px;'>Page <span class='pageNumber'></span></div>",
	.Format = PaperFormat.A4
})

Await browser.CloseAsync()

Puppeteer Sharp's strength lies in browser automation scenarios:

• Automated login and navigation
• Screenshot capture at any point
• Interaction with web applications
• Dynamic report generation from web apps

As noted by ZenRows, "Puppeteer Sharp can simulate several automated user interactions. These include mouse movements, waits, and more."

What Are the Performance Considerations?

IronPDF Performance

IronPDF is optimized for PDF operations with several performance features:

• Memory Management:

  • Efficient memory usage through .NET garbage collection
  • Batch processing optimization
  • Streaming support for large documents

• Multi-threading:

  • Full async/await support
  • Parallel PDF generation capabilities
  • Thread-safe operations
• Rendering Speed:
  • Average 0.8-1.2 seconds for typical HTML to PDF
  • Built-in Chrome engine eliminates external process overhead
  • Caching mechanisms for repeated operations

According to performance optimization guides, IronPDF's initial render might be slower due to engine initialization, but subsequent operations are highly optimized.

Puppeteer Sharp Performance

Puppeteer Sharp's performance characteristics differ due to its architecture:

• Browser Overhead:

  • ~170MB Chromium download required
  • 150-200MB RAM per browser instance
  • Browser launch time adds 1-3 seconds

• Rendering Speed:

  • 0.3-0.5 seconds for simple HTML
  • Performance degrades with multiple instances
  • Resource-intensive for concurrent operations
• Optimization Strategies:
  • Browser instance reuse recommended
  • Connection pooling for multiple PDFs
  • Headless mode reduces overhead

Benchmark tests show Puppeteer can be faster for simple HTML but requires careful resource management for production use.

How Do Pricing and Licensing Compare?

IronPDF Pricing Structure

IronPDF offers flexible commercial licensing options:

• License Tiers:

  • Lite License: $749 - 1 developer, 1 location, 1 project
  • Plus License: $1,499 - 3 developers, 3 locations, 3 projects
  • Professional License: $2,999 - 10 developers, 10 locations, 10 projects
  • Unlimited License: Custom pricing for larger teams

• Additional Options:

  • Royalty-free redistribution: +$1,999
  • SaaS/OEM licensing available
  • Iron Suite: $1,498 for 9 products
  • 30-day money-back guarantee
• Support & Updates:
  • One year of support and updates included
  • Extended support: $999/year or $1,999 for 5 years
  • 24/5 engineer support with all licenses

Puppeteer Sharp Licensing

Puppeteer Sharp uses the MIT License:

• Cost: Completely free
• Commercial Use: Allowed without restrictions
• Support: Community-based through GitHub
• Updates: Open-source community driven

While free, consider hidden costs:

• No professional support
• Self-managed infrastructure
• Additional libraries needed for advanced features
• Time investment for troubleshooting

As discussed on Reddit's dotnet community, the choice often depends on whether professional support and advanced features justify the investment.

Documentation and Support Analysis

IronPDF Documentation & Support

IronPDF provides comprehensive professional resources:

• Documentation:

  • Extensive API reference
  • 50+ tutorials covering common scenarios
  • 200+ code examples
  • Video tutorials on YouTube
  • Regular documentation updates

• Support Channels:

  • 24/5 live engineer support
  • Email and phone support (license dependent)
  • Screen-sharing sessions for complex issues
  • Community forum
  • Slack channel for discussions
• Learning Resources:
  • Getting started guides
  • Troubleshooting section
  • Best practices documentation
  • Migration guides from other libraries

Puppeteer Sharp Documentation & Support

Puppeteer Sharp relies on community resources:

• Documentation:

  • API documentation
  • GitHub README and wiki
  • Code examples in repository
  • Links to original Puppeteer docs

• Support Options:

  • GitHub issues for bug reports
  • Community discussions
  • Stack Overflow questions
  • No official support channel
• Limitations:
  • Documentation not always current
  • Relies on community contributions
  • Limited troubleshooting guides
  • Examples may be outdated

The developer blog provides insights but updates are sporadic.

Which PDF Library Should You Choose?

The decision between IronPDF and Puppeteer Sharp depends on your specific requirements and use case.

Choose IronPDF When:

• Building enterprise applications requiring secure, professional PDFs
• Need comprehensive PDF features beyond basic generation
• Want minimal code complexity with straightforward APIs
• Require professional support and documentation
• Working with multiple PDF formats (DOCX, images, etc.)
• Need built-in security features like encryption and signatures
• Deploying across various platforms without compatibility concerns
• Value time-to-market over initial cost

IronPDF excels in scenarios like:

• Invoice and report generation
• Document management systems
• Compliance-required documentation
• Multi-format document processing
• High-volume PDF operations

Choose Puppeteer Sharp When:

• Primary focus is browser automation with PDF as secondary
• Budget constraints prevent commercial licenses
• Need web scraping capabilities alongside PDF generation
• Comfortable managing browser infrastructure
• Simple PDF requirements without advanced features
• Have existing Puppeteer knowledge from Node.js
• Building testing frameworks or automation tools

Puppeteer Sharp works well for:

• Automated testing with PDF reports
• Web scraping with PDF export
• Simple HTML to PDF conversion
• Screenshot capture workflows
• Browser-based automation tasks

Real-World Recommendations

Based on extensive comparison analyses and developer feedback, here are practical recommendations:

1. For Production Applications: IronPDF's reliability, support, and features justify the investment
2. For Prototypes: Puppeteer Sharp's free license allows quick experimentation
3. For Complex PDFs: IronPDF's advanced features save development time
4. For Browser Testing: Puppeteer Sharp's automation capabilities are unmatched

Conclusion

Both IronPDF and Puppeteer Sharp serve different needs in the .NET ecosystem. IronPDF stands out as a comprehensive PDF solution with extensive features, professional support, and simplified APIs designed specifically for PDF operations. Its strength lies in providing everything needed for enterprise PDF workflows in a single, well-documented package.

Puppeteer Sharp excels as a browser automation tool that happens to generate PDFs. It's ideal for developers who need browser control capabilities and are comfortable managing the additional complexity. The free license makes it attractive for budget-conscious projects with simple PDF requirements.

For most business applications requiring reliable PDF generation and manipulation, IronPDF proves to be the more practical choice. The time saved through better documentation, simpler APIs, and professional support often outweighs the licensing cost. However, Puppeteer Sharp remains valuable for specific use cases where browser automation is the primary requirement.

Ready to experience the difference? Start with IronPDF's 30-day free trial to explore its comprehensive features and see how it can streamline your PDF workflows. Whether you're building invoices, reports, or complex document systems, IronPDF provides the tools and support needed for success.

Start using IronPDF in your project today with a free trial.

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