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QuestPDF Extract Text From PDF in C# Alternatives vs IronPDF

For this tutorial, we will be looking at how to extract text from PDF (Portable Document Format) documents in C# using two different PDF libraries.

In today's modern web age, there are a number of libraries out there that are capable of extracting text and images from PDF files for parsing and reading. Today, we will be using two powerful PDF libraries, IronPDF and QuestPDF, to extract text from a PDF file. By comparing how these two libraries handle a simple text extraction task, we can determine which may be better suited for handling such advanced PDF tasks. Before we get into the comparison section, let's first take a moment to look at a brief introduction for each library.

QuestPDF

QuestPDF is a cutting-edge, open-source PDF generation library designed specifically for .NET developers. It utilizes a modern declarative API that enables users to define and generate complex PDF layouts with great flexibility and precision. While QuestPDF’s primary focus is on document generation rather than text extraction, it provides a clean, intuitive approach to building documents from scratch and manipulating different elements within the document. This makes it particularly well-suited for applications requiring customized, dynamic PDF content.

IronPDF

IronPDF is a versatile PDF processing library designed to make working with PDFs in C# easier and more efficient. Unlike QuestPDF, IronPDF is specifically built for both PDF generation and manipulation. Features it offers include PDF encryption, extensive support for editing and annotating existing PDFs, converting various documents to PDF format, adding in headers and footers (which can be used to display page numbers), editing document metadata, multithreading & asynchronous support, and advanced PDF conversion tools.

On top of its rich set of features, IronPDF provides full cross-platform support, offering support for .NET 5/6/7, .NET Core, and .NET Framework. It is also fully compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, and cloud platforms like Azure and AWS, making it a great choice for cross-platform .NET applications.

For today's example, we will be extracting text from our example invoice PDF document using both libraries.

QuestPDF Extract Text From PDF in C# Alternatives vs IronPDF: Figure 1

First, we will be looking at if QuestPDF can handle this task.

Extract Text from a PDF File using QuestPDF

Unfortunately, while QuestPDF excels at handling PDF creation and the performance of certain PDF tasks, text extraction is not among the features it currently has to offer. Although QuestPDF is not inherently designed for extracting text from existing PDF files, it does provide basic tools for working with PDFs, which can be extended for text extraction with additional logic or third-party integrations. For example, QuestPDF could be used to generate PDF documents with structured content, and you could implement a custom solution to extract content based on the document's structure using a third-party library.

Extract Text from a PDF File using IronPDF

Text extraction is just one of the tasks that IronPDF excels at when it comes to working with PDFs. In just a few lines of code, we are able to extract text from an entire PDF document. This can be seen in the following code snippet:

using IronPdf;

public class Program
{
    public static void Main(string[] args)
    {
        // Load the PDF document
        PdfDocument pdf = PdfDocument.FromFile("exampleInvoice.pdf");

        // Extract all the text from the loaded PDF document
        string text = pdf.ExtractAllText();

        // Print the extracted text to the console
        Console.WriteLine(text);
    }
}
using IronPdf;

public class Program
{
    public static void Main(string[] args)
    {
        // Load the PDF document
        PdfDocument pdf = PdfDocument.FromFile("exampleInvoice.pdf");

        // Extract all the text from the loaded PDF document
        string text = pdf.ExtractAllText();

        // Print the extracted text to the console
        Console.WriteLine(text);
    }
}
Imports IronPdf

Public Class Program
	Public Shared Sub Main(ByVal args() As String)
		' Load the PDF document
		Dim pdf As PdfDocument = PdfDocument.FromFile("exampleInvoice.pdf")

		' Extract all the text from the loaded PDF document
		Dim text As String = pdf.ExtractAllText()

		' Print the extracted text to the console
		Console.WriteLine(text)
	End Sub
End Class
$vbLabelText   $csharpLabel

Output File

QuestPDF Extract Text From PDF in C# Alternatives vs IronPDF: Figure 2

Comparison

IronPDF provides a simple API for extracting text, making it ideal for developers focused on efficiency. In just three lines, we were able to extract the text content within our PDF document and display it to be read. From here, you could easily save the extracted text for further use or manipulation.

QuestPDF, on the other hand, could not handle a task such as text extraction, due to a more limited number of features than libraries such as IronPDF. While it can handle other tasks such as PDF generation and basic manipulation, you would need to implement external libraries in order to extract text.

Conclusion

When it comes to extracting text, QuestPDF is free through the use of its community license for private projects, but also has the option of commercial licenses.

Both libraries are accurate and reliable, but the choice ultimately depends on your project requirements.

For a deeper comparison of these libraries, check out the full blog on IronPDF vs QuestPDF.

Please note
QuestPDF is a registered trademark of its respective owner. This site is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by QuestPDF. 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

What is QuestPDF?

QuestPDF is an open-source PDF generation library designed for .NET developers, offering a modern declarative API for creating complex PDF layouts. It is primarily focused on document generation rather than text extraction.

What is this library used for?

IronPDF is a versatile PDF processing library for C# that supports both PDF generation and manipulation. It offers features like PDF encryption, editing, annotation, and cross-platform support.

Can QuestPDF extract text from PDF files?

QuestPDF is not inherently designed for extracting text from existing PDF files. It focuses on PDF generation and would require third-party integrations or additional logic for text extraction.

Can this library extract text from PDF files?

Yes, IronPDF excels at text extraction from PDF files and provides a simple API to efficiently extract text with just a few lines of code.

What platforms are supported by this library?

IronPDF supports .NET 5/6/7, .NET Core, and .NET Framework. It is compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, and cloud platforms like Azure and AWS.

Which library is better for text extraction from PDFs?

IronPDF is better suited for text extraction from PDFs due to its dedicated features for this task, whereas QuestPDF is more focused on PDF generation.

Is QuestPDF free to use?

QuestPDF is free for private projects through its community license, with commercial licenses available for other use cases.

What are some additional features of this library?

IronPDF offers additional features like PDF encryption, annotation, conversion of various documents to PDF, multithreading support, and advanced PDF conversion tools.

Chipego
Software Engineer
Chipego has a natural skill for listening that helps him to comprehend customer issues, and offer intelligent solutions. He joined the Iron Software team in 2023, after studying a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology. IronPDF and IronOCR are the two products Chipego has been focusing on, but his knowledge of all products is growing daily, as he finds new ways to support customers. He enjoys how collaborative life is at Iron Software, with team members from across the company bringing their varied experience to contribute to effective, innovative solutions. When Chipego is away from his desk, he can often be found enjoying a good book or playing football.