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PRODUCT COMPARISONS

IronPDF vs SelectPdf: Complete .NET Core PDF Library Comparison for HTML to PDF Conversion

Jacob Mellor, Chief Technology Officer @ Team Iron
Jacob Mellor
Updated:

Which PDF Library Should You Choose for .NET Core HTML to PDF Conversion?

When developing .NET applications that require PDF generation, selecting the right library can significantly impact your project's success. Whether you're building enterprise reporting systems, generating invoices for small businesses, or creating documentation for individual projects, your choice of PDF library affects everything from development speed to production performance.

This comprehensive comparison examines IronPDF and SelectPdf, two popular .NET PDF libraries, helping you make an informed decision based on real-world usage, features, and value.

Quick Overview: IronPDF vs SelectPdf for .NET Developers

IronPDF delivers a comprehensive PDF solution for the .NET ecosystem, offering seamless HTML to PDF conversion with full support for modern web standards. Built on a Chrome rendering engine, it ensures pixel-perfect accuracy while supporting HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript. Beyond conversion, IronPDF provides extensive PDF manipulation capabilities including editing, signing, encryption, and cross-platform deployment options.

SelectPdf specializes in HTML to PDF conversion for .NET applications, supporting both .NET Framework and .NET Core platforms. While it offers fundamental PDF generation and manipulation features, SelectPdf focuses primarily on Windows environments with limited cross-platform capabilities.

Product Comparison Overview
Feature Comparison of IronPDF and SelectPdf for .NET Development
Category Feature/Aspect IronPDF SelectPdf Winner
Core Architecture Design Philosophy Developer-first, intuitive APIs Traditional PDF generation approach IronPDF: Faster development
API Complexity Simple methods like RenderHtmlAsPdf() Straightforward but limited API IronPDF: More intuitive
Learning Curve Hours to productivity Days for advanced features IronPDF: Quicker adoption
Platform Support Cross-Platform Windows, Linux, macOS, Docker Windows only IronPDF: True portability
.NET Versions .NET 9, 8, 7, 6, Core, Framework .NET Core 2.0+, Framework 4.0+ IronPDF: Latest framework support
Cloud Platforms Azure, AWS, Google Cloud ready Limited Azure support (Basic+) IronPDF: Cloud-native
Container Support Native Docker support No Docker support IronPDF: Modern deployment
HTML to PDF Rendering Rendering Engine Chrome V8 engine WebKit/Blink hybrid IronPDF: Better accuracy
CSS3/HTML5 Support 100% modern standards Good but not complete IronPDF: Full compliance
JavaScript Execution Full JavaScript support Limited JavaScript support IronPDF: Dynamic content
Rendering Speed Sub-second for most pages 2-3 seconds typical IronPDF: 3x faster
PDF Security Encryption AES-256, custom handlers Standard encryption Both: Industry standard
Digital Signatures Simple, robust implementation Complex, manual setup IronPDF: Easier signing
Permissions Granular control Basic permissions IronPDF: More options
Content Editing Redaction Built-in redaction tools Not supported IronPDF: Compliance ready
Watermarking HTML/CSS based, full control Template-based approach IronPDF: More flexible
Text/Image Stamping Unified stamper classes Multiple template types IronPDF: Consistent API
File Conversions DOCX to PDF Native support Not supported IronPDF: More formats
Image to PDF Multiple format support Basic image support IronPDF: Versatile
PDF to Images High-quality rasterization Supported Both: Available
Performance Large Documents Optimized for scale Performance issues reported IronPDF: Better at scale
Memory Usage Efficient caching Higher memory consumption IronPDF: Lower footprint
Async Support Native async/await Limited async support IronPDF: Modern patterns
Developer Experience Documentation Extensive tutorials, examples Basic documentation IronPDF: Better resources
Code Examples 100+ ready-to-use samples Limited examples IronPDF: More guidance
API Design Intuitive, fluent interface Traditional approach IronPDF: Developer-friendly
Licensing & Pricing Entry Level Lite: $749 (1 dev) Single: $499 (1 dev) SelectPdf: Lower entry
Team License Plus: $1,499 (3 devs) 5-Dev: $799 (5 devs) SelectPdf: More devs/dollar
Enterprise Professional: $2,999 (10 devs) Enterprise: $1,199 (unlimited) SelectPdf: Lower enterprise
Redistribution +$1,999 royalty-free OEM licenses available Both: Options available
Support Support Included 24/5 engineering support Email support only IronPDF: Better support
Response Time 24-48 hours typical Variable response times IronPDF: Predictable SLA
Updates Monthly releases Bi-annual releases IronPDF: More frequent
Best For Use Cases Modern apps, cloud, cross-platform Windows-only, simple conversions Context-dependent
Team Size Any size, scalable licensing Small to medium teams IronPDF: More flexible
Note: Comparison reflects library capabilities and pricing as of 2025. Performance metrics based on standard benchmarks with typical document workloads.

How Does Cross-Platform Compatibility Compare?

IronPDF: Built for Modern Development

IronPDF embraces modern development practices with comprehensive platform support. Whether you're deploying to traditional servers or containerized environments, IronPDF adapts to your infrastructure needs.

Supported .NET Versions:

  • C#, VB.NET, F#
  • .NET 9, 8, 7, 6, Core (3.1+)
  • .NET Standard (2.0+)
  • .NET Framework (4.6.2+)

Deployment Environments:

  • Operating Systems: Windows, Linux, macOS
  • Cloud Platforms: Azure (all tiers), AWS (EC2, Lambda), Google Cloud
  • Containers: Docker (Windows & Linux containers)
  • Development Tools: Visual Studio, JetBrains Rider, VS Code

This extensive compatibility means you can develop once and deploy anywhere, crucial for teams working with microservices architectures or hybrid cloud deployments. Ready to see how IronPDF works in your environment? Download the library and test it today.

SelectPdf: Windows-Focused Solution

SelectPdf takes a more traditional approach, focusing primarily on Windows environments:

Supported .NET Versions:

  • .NET Framework 4.0+
  • .NET Core 2.1+ (through .NET Standard 2.0)
  • .NET 5-8 (Windows only)

Deployment Limitations:

  • Operating Systems: Windows only (no Linux/macOS support)
  • Cloud Platforms: Limited Azure support (Basic tier and above)
  • Containers: No Docker support
  • Notable Restriction: Does not work with Azure Functions or serverless architectures

According to SelectPdf's documentation, "SelectPdf currently works only on Windows systems. There is no support for Linux, Xamarin or other platforms." This limitation can be challenging for teams adopting modern DevOps practices or cloud-native architectures.

Which Library Delivers Better HTML to PDF Conversion?

HTML to PDF Conversion Quality

The core functionality of both libraries centers on HTML to PDF conversion, but their approaches and results differ significantly.

IronPDF Example:

using IronPdf;

// Instantiate Chrome-based renderer for pixel-perfect accuracy
var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();

// Configure rendering options for optimal output
renderer.RenderingOptions.CssMediaType = PdfCssMediaType.Print;
renderer.RenderingOptions.PrintHtmlBackgrounds = true;
renderer.RenderingOptions.CreatePdfFormsFromHtml = true;

// Convert HTML with full CSS3, JavaScript, and web font support
var pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf(@"
    <html>
        <head>
            <link href='https://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Roboto' rel='stylesheet'>
            <style>
                body { font-family: 'Roboto', sans-serif; }
                .chart { width: 100%; height: 400px; }
            </style>
        </head>
        <body>
            <h1>Modern Web Standards in PDF</h1>
            <canvas id='chart' class='chart'></canvas>
            <script>
                // JavaScript executes before PDF generation
                // Perfect for dynamic charts and content
            </script>
        </body>
    </html>");

// Save with professional quality
pdf.SaveAs("modern-output.pdf");
using IronPdf;

// Instantiate Chrome-based renderer for pixel-perfect accuracy
var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();

// Configure rendering options for optimal output
renderer.RenderingOptions.CssMediaType = PdfCssMediaType.Print;
renderer.RenderingOptions.PrintHtmlBackgrounds = true;
renderer.RenderingOptions.CreatePdfFormsFromHtml = true;

// Convert HTML with full CSS3, JavaScript, and web font support
var pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf(@"
    <html>
        <head>
            <link href='https://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Roboto' rel='stylesheet'>
            <style>
                body { font-family: 'Roboto', sans-serif; }
                .chart { width: 100%; height: 400px; }
            </style>
        </head>
        <body>
            <h1>Modern Web Standards in PDF</h1>
            <canvas id='chart' class='chart'></canvas>
            <script>
                // JavaScript executes before PDF generation
                // Perfect for dynamic charts and content
            </script>
        </body>
    </html>");

// Save with professional quality
pdf.SaveAs("modern-output.pdf");
Imports IronPdf

' Instantiate Chrome-based renderer for pixel-perfect accuracy
Private renderer = New ChromePdfRenderer()

' Configure rendering options for optimal output
renderer.RenderingOptions.CssMediaType = PdfCssMediaType.Print
renderer.RenderingOptions.PrintHtmlBackgrounds = True
renderer.RenderingOptions.CreatePdfFormsFromHtml = True

' Convert HTML with full CSS3, JavaScript, and web font support
Dim pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf("
    <html>
        <head>
            <link href='https://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Roboto' rel='stylesheet'>
            <style>
                body { font-family: 'Roboto', sans-serif; }
                .chart { width: 100%; height: 400px; }
            </style>
        </head>
        <body>
            <h1>Modern Web Standards in PDF</h1>
            <canvas id='chart' class='chart'></canvas>
            <script>
                // JavaScript executes before PDF generation
                // Perfect for dynamic charts and content
            </script>
        </body>
    </html>")

' Save with professional quality
pdf.SaveAs("modern-output.pdf")
$vbLabelText   $csharpLabel

The ChromePdfRenderer class leverages the same rendering engine as Google Chrome, ensuring your PDFs match exactly what users see in their browsers. This approach supports modern web features including CSS Grid, Flexbox, Canvas elements, and complex JavaScript frameworks like React or Angular. For detailed implementation guides, explore the HTML to PDF conversion documentation.

SelectPdf Example:

using SelectPdf;

// Create converter instance
HtmlToPdf converter = new HtmlToPdf();

// Basic configuration options
converter.Options.PdfPageSize = PdfPageSize.A4;
converter.Options.WebPageWidth = 1024;
converter.Options.WebPageHeight = 0; // Auto-detect

// Convert HTML string
PdfDocument doc = converter.ConvertHtmlString(htmlString);

// Save document
doc.Save("output.pdf");
doc.Close();
using SelectPdf;

// Create converter instance
HtmlToPdf converter = new HtmlToPdf();

// Basic configuration options
converter.Options.PdfPageSize = PdfPageSize.A4;
converter.Options.WebPageWidth = 1024;
converter.Options.WebPageHeight = 0; // Auto-detect

// Convert HTML string
PdfDocument doc = converter.ConvertHtmlString(htmlString);

// Save document
doc.Save("output.pdf");
doc.Close();
Imports SelectPdf

' Create converter instance
Private converter As New HtmlToPdf()

' Basic configuration options
converter.Options.PdfPageSize = PdfPageSize.A4
converter.Options.WebPageWidth = 1024
converter.Options.WebPageHeight = 0 ' Auto-detect

' Convert HTML string
Dim doc As PdfDocument = converter.ConvertHtmlString(htmlString)

' Save document
doc.Save("output.pdf")
doc.Close()
$vbLabelText   $csharpLabel

While SelectPdf's API is straightforward, developers report limitations with modern web standards. According to GitHub discussions, conversion performance can be slow, with users reporting 3-second conversion times for simple documents. The library also struggles with CSS3 features and JavaScript-heavy content.

Performance Benchmarks

Real-world performance testing reveals significant differences:

Learn more about optimizing PDF generation performance in the IronPDF performance guide.

How Do Security Features Compare Between Libraries?

PDF Encryption and Protection

Both libraries offer encryption capabilities, but implementation complexity varies:

IronPDF Security Implementation:

using IronPdf;
using IronPdf.Security;

// Load or create a PDF document
var pdf = PdfDocument.FromFile("sensitive-document.pdf");

// Apply comprehensive security settings
pdf.SecuritySettings.RemovePasswordsAndEncryption();
pdf.SecuritySettings.UserPassword = "user123";
pdf.SecuritySettings.OwnerPassword = "owner456";

// Granular permission control
pdf.SecuritySettings.AllowUserPrinting = PdfPrintSecurity.NoPrint;
pdf.SecuritySettings.AllowUserEditing = false;
pdf.SecuritySettings.AllowUserCopyPasteContent = false;
pdf.SecuritySettings.AllowUserFormData = true;
pdf.SecuritySettings.AllowUserAnnotations = false;

// Use 256-bit AES encryption
pdf.SecuritySettings.EncryptionLevel = EncryptionLevel.AES256Bit;

pdf.SaveAs("secured.pdf");
using IronPdf;
using IronPdf.Security;

// Load or create a PDF document
var pdf = PdfDocument.FromFile("sensitive-document.pdf");

// Apply comprehensive security settings
pdf.SecuritySettings.RemovePasswordsAndEncryption();
pdf.SecuritySettings.UserPassword = "user123";
pdf.SecuritySettings.OwnerPassword = "owner456";

// Granular permission control
pdf.SecuritySettings.AllowUserPrinting = PdfPrintSecurity.NoPrint;
pdf.SecuritySettings.AllowUserEditing = false;
pdf.SecuritySettings.AllowUserCopyPasteContent = false;
pdf.SecuritySettings.AllowUserFormData = true;
pdf.SecuritySettings.AllowUserAnnotations = false;

// Use 256-bit AES encryption
pdf.SecuritySettings.EncryptionLevel = EncryptionLevel.AES256Bit;

pdf.SaveAs("secured.pdf");
Imports IronPdf
Imports IronPdf.Security

' Load or create a PDF document
Private pdf = PdfDocument.FromFile("sensitive-document.pdf")

' Apply comprehensive security settings
pdf.SecuritySettings.RemovePasswordsAndEncryption()
pdf.SecuritySettings.UserPassword = "user123"
pdf.SecuritySettings.OwnerPassword = "owner456"

' Granular permission control
pdf.SecuritySettings.AllowUserPrinting = PdfPrintSecurity.NoPrint
pdf.SecuritySettings.AllowUserEditing = False
pdf.SecuritySettings.AllowUserCopyPasteContent = False
pdf.SecuritySettings.AllowUserFormData = True
pdf.SecuritySettings.AllowUserAnnotations = False

' Use 256-bit AES encryption
pdf.SecuritySettings.EncryptionLevel = EncryptionLevel.AES256Bit

pdf.SaveAs("secured.pdf")
$vbLabelText   $csharpLabel

IronPDF's SecuritySettings class provides a unified interface for all security operations. The API design follows .NET conventions, making it intuitive for developers familiar with the framework. Explore advanced security features in the PDF security documentation.

SelectPdf Security Configuration:

using SelectPdf;

PdfDocument doc = new PdfDocument();

// Set document passwords
doc.Security.OwnerPassword = "owner456";
doc.Security.UserPassword = "user123";

// Configure permissions
doc.Security.CanPrint = false;
doc.Security.CanEditContent = false;
doc.Security.CanCopyContent = false;
doc.Security.CanEditAnnotations = false;
doc.Security.CanFillFormFields = true;
doc.Security.CanAssembleDocument = false;

doc.Save("secured.pdf");
doc.Close();
using SelectPdf;

PdfDocument doc = new PdfDocument();

// Set document passwords
doc.Security.OwnerPassword = "owner456";
doc.Security.UserPassword = "user123";

// Configure permissions
doc.Security.CanPrint = false;
doc.Security.CanEditContent = false;
doc.Security.CanCopyContent = false;
doc.Security.CanEditAnnotations = false;
doc.Security.CanFillFormFields = true;
doc.Security.CanAssembleDocument = false;

doc.Save("secured.pdf");
doc.Close();
Imports SelectPdf

Private doc As New PdfDocument()

' Set document passwords
doc.Security.OwnerPassword = "owner456"
doc.Security.UserPassword = "user123"

' Configure permissions
doc.Security.CanPrint = False
doc.Security.CanEditContent = False
doc.Security.CanCopyContent = False
doc.Security.CanEditAnnotations = False
doc.Security.CanFillFormFields = True
doc.Security.CanAssembleDocument = False

doc.Save("secured.pdf")
doc.Close()
$vbLabelText   $csharpLabel

Both libraries support industry-standard encryption, but IronPDF offers more granular control over print permissions and supports custom encryption handlers for specialized requirements.

Which Advanced Features Set These Libraries Apart?

PDF Content Redaction

Content redaction is crucial for compliance with privacy regulations like GDPR and HIPAA.

IronPDF Redaction:

using IronPdf;

// Load document containing sensitive information
PdfDocument pdf = PdfDocument.FromFile("confidential-report.pdf");

// Redact specific content across all pages
pdf.RedactTextOnAllPages("Social Security Number: [0-9]{3}-[0-9]{2}-[0-9]{4}");
pdf.RedactTextOnAllPages("Credit Card: [0-9]{4}-[0-9]{4}-[0-9]{4}-[0-9]{4}");

// Redact content on specific pages
pdf.RedactTextOnPage(2, "CONFIDENTIAL");

// Save with redactions permanently applied
pdf.SaveAs("redacted-report.pdf");
using IronPdf;

// Load document containing sensitive information
PdfDocument pdf = PdfDocument.FromFile("confidential-report.pdf");

// Redact specific content across all pages
pdf.RedactTextOnAllPages("Social Security Number: [0-9]{3}-[0-9]{2}-[0-9]{4}");
pdf.RedactTextOnAllPages("Credit Card: [0-9]{4}-[0-9]{4}-[0-9]{4}-[0-9]{4}");

// Redact content on specific pages
pdf.RedactTextOnPage(2, "CONFIDENTIAL");

// Save with redactions permanently applied
pdf.SaveAs("redacted-report.pdf");
Imports IronPdf

' Load document containing sensitive information
Private pdf As PdfDocument = PdfDocument.FromFile("confidential-report.pdf")

' Redact specific content across all pages
pdf.RedactTextOnAllPages("Social Security Number: [0-9]{3}-[0-9]{2}-[0-9]{4}")
pdf.RedactTextOnAllPages("Credit Card: [0-9]{4}-[0-9]{4}-[0-9]{4}-[0-9]{4}")

' Redact content on specific pages
pdf.RedactTextOnPage(2, "CONFIDENTIAL")

' Save with redactions permanently applied
pdf.SaveAs("redacted-report.pdf")
$vbLabelText   $csharpLabel

IronPDF's redaction feature permanently removes content from PDFs, ensuring sensitive information cannot be recovered. This is essential for legal and healthcare industries. Learn more in the redaction guide.

SelectPdf: Does not offer built-in redaction capabilities, requiring manual workarounds or third-party tools for compliance needs.

Digital Signatures

IronPDF Digital Signature Implementation:

using IronPdf;
using IronPdf.Signing;
using System.Security.Cryptography.X509Certificates;

// Create renderer and generate PDF
ChromePdfRenderer renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();
PdfDocument pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<h1>Contract Agreement</h1>");

// Load certificate with private key
X509Certificate2 cert = new X509Certificate2("certificate.pfx", "password", 
    X509KeyStorageFlags.Exportable);

// Create and configure signature
var signature = new PdfSignature(cert)
{
    SigningContact = "legal@company.com",
    SigningLocation = "New York, NY",
    SigningReason = "Contract Approval"
};

// Apply signature with timestamp
pdf.Sign(signature);
pdf.SaveAs("signed-contract.pdf");
using IronPdf;
using IronPdf.Signing;
using System.Security.Cryptography.X509Certificates;

// Create renderer and generate PDF
ChromePdfRenderer renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();
PdfDocument pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<h1>Contract Agreement</h1>");

// Load certificate with private key
X509Certificate2 cert = new X509Certificate2("certificate.pfx", "password", 
    X509KeyStorageFlags.Exportable);

// Create and configure signature
var signature = new PdfSignature(cert)
{
    SigningContact = "legal@company.com",
    SigningLocation = "New York, NY",
    SigningReason = "Contract Approval"
};

// Apply signature with timestamp
pdf.Sign(signature);
pdf.SaveAs("signed-contract.pdf");
Imports IronPdf
Imports IronPdf.Signing
Imports System.Security.Cryptography.X509Certificates

' Create renderer and generate PDF
Private renderer As New ChromePdfRenderer()
Private pdf As PdfDocument = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<h1>Contract Agreement</h1>")

' Load certificate with private key
Private cert As New X509Certificate2("certificate.pfx", "password", X509KeyStorageFlags.Exportable)

' Create and configure signature
Private signature = New PdfSignature(cert) With {
	.SigningContact = "legal@company.com",
	.SigningLocation = "New York, NY",
	.SigningReason = "Contract Approval"
}

' Apply signature with timestamp
pdf.Sign(signature)
pdf.SaveAs("signed-contract.pdf")
$vbLabelText   $csharpLabel

IronPDF simplifies digital signing with automatic signature field creation and timestamp server support. Explore more in the digital signatures tutorial.

SelectPdf Digital Signature:

using SelectPdf;

PdfDocument doc = new PdfDocument();
PdfPage page = doc.AddPage();

// Manual signature field setup required
string certFile = "certificate.pfx";
PdfDigitalCertificatesCollection certificates = 
    PdfDigitalCertificatesStore.GetCertificates(certFile, "password");
PdfDigitalCertificate certificate = certificates[0];

// Create signature element with positioning
PdfDigitalSignatureElement signature = 
    new PdfDigitalSignatureElement(new RectangleF(100, 100, 200, 50), certificate);
signature.Reason = "Contract Approval";
signature.ContactInfo = "legal@company.com";
signature.Location = "New York, NY";

page.Add(signature);
doc.Save("signed.pdf");
doc.Close();
using SelectPdf;

PdfDocument doc = new PdfDocument();
PdfPage page = doc.AddPage();

// Manual signature field setup required
string certFile = "certificate.pfx";
PdfDigitalCertificatesCollection certificates = 
    PdfDigitalCertificatesStore.GetCertificates(certFile, "password");
PdfDigitalCertificate certificate = certificates[0];

// Create signature element with positioning
PdfDigitalSignatureElement signature = 
    new PdfDigitalSignatureElement(new RectangleF(100, 100, 200, 50), certificate);
signature.Reason = "Contract Approval";
signature.ContactInfo = "legal@company.com";
signature.Location = "New York, NY";

page.Add(signature);
doc.Save("signed.pdf");
doc.Close();
Imports SelectPdf

Private doc As New PdfDocument()
Private page As PdfPage = doc.AddPage()

' Manual signature field setup required
Private certFile As String = "certificate.pfx"
Private certificates As PdfDigitalCertificatesCollection = PdfDigitalCertificatesStore.GetCertificates(certFile, "password")
Private certificate As PdfDigitalCertificate = certificates(0)

' Create signature element with positioning
Private signature As New PdfDigitalSignatureElement(New RectangleF(100, 100, 200, 50), certificate)
signature.Reason = "Contract Approval"
signature.ContactInfo = "legal@company.com"
signature.Location = "New York, NY"

page.Add(signature)
doc.Save("signed.pdf")
doc.Close()
$vbLabelText   $csharpLabel

SelectPdf requires manual signature field positioning and more complex setup, making it less suitable for automated signing workflows.

Document Format Conversion

IronPDF DOCX to PDF Conversion:

using IronPdf;

// Direct DOCX to PDF conversion
DocxToPdfRenderer renderer = new DocxToPdfRenderer();

// Convert with formatting preservation
PdfDocument pdf = renderer.RenderDocxAsPdf("report.docx");

// Optional: Apply post-conversion modifications
pdf.AddWatermark("<h2 style='color:red;opacity:0.5'>DRAFT</h2>");
pdf.CompressImages(90);

pdf.SaveAs("converted-report.pdf");
using IronPdf;

// Direct DOCX to PDF conversion
DocxToPdfRenderer renderer = new DocxToPdfRenderer();

// Convert with formatting preservation
PdfDocument pdf = renderer.RenderDocxAsPdf("report.docx");

// Optional: Apply post-conversion modifications
pdf.AddWatermark("<h2 style='color:red;opacity:0.5'>DRAFT</h2>");
pdf.CompressImages(90);

pdf.SaveAs("converted-report.pdf");
Imports IronPdf

' Direct DOCX to PDF conversion
Private renderer As New DocxToPdfRenderer()

' Convert with formatting preservation
Private pdf As PdfDocument = renderer.RenderDocxAsPdf("report.docx")

' Optional: Apply post-conversion modifications
pdf.AddWatermark("<h2 style='color:red;opacity:0.5'>DRAFT</h2>")
pdf.CompressImages(90)

pdf.SaveAs("converted-report.pdf")
$vbLabelText   $csharpLabel

IronPDF's native DOCX support eliminates the need for Microsoft Office dependencies. This feature is particularly valuable for server environments where Office installation isn't feasible. Learn more about DOCX to PDF conversion.

SelectPdf: Does not support DOCX to PDF conversion, limiting document processing capabilities.

Watermarking and Stamping

IronPDF Advanced Watermarking:

using IronPdf;

var pdf = PdfDocument.FromFile("document.pdf");

// HTML-based watermark with CSS styling
string watermarkHtml = @"
    <div style='
        font-size: 48px;
        color: rgba(255, 0, 0, 0.3);
        transform: rotate(-45deg);
        text-align: center;
        font-weight: bold;
    '>CONFIDENTIAL</div>";

pdf.ApplyWatermark(watermarkHtml, 50, VerticalAlignment.Middle, HorizontalAlignment.Center);

// Add page numbers with custom formatting
pdf.AddHtmlFooters(new HtmlHeaderFooter
{
    HtmlFragment = "<div style='text-align:center'>Page {page} of {total-pages}</div>",
    DrawDividerLine = true
});

pdf.SaveAs("watermarked.pdf");
using IronPdf;

var pdf = PdfDocument.FromFile("document.pdf");

// HTML-based watermark with CSS styling
string watermarkHtml = @"
    <div style='
        font-size: 48px;
        color: rgba(255, 0, 0, 0.3);
        transform: rotate(-45deg);
        text-align: center;
        font-weight: bold;
    '>CONFIDENTIAL</div>";

pdf.ApplyWatermark(watermarkHtml, 50, VerticalAlignment.Middle, HorizontalAlignment.Center);

// Add page numbers with custom formatting
pdf.AddHtmlFooters(new HtmlHeaderFooter
{
    HtmlFragment = "<div style='text-align:center'>Page {page} of {total-pages}</div>",
    DrawDividerLine = true
});

pdf.SaveAs("watermarked.pdf");
Imports IronPdf

Private pdf = PdfDocument.FromFile("document.pdf")

' HTML-based watermark with CSS styling
Private watermarkHtml As String = "
    <div style='
        font-size: 48px;
        color: rgba(255, 0, 0, 0.3);
        transform: rotate(-45deg);
        text-align: center;
        font-weight: bold;
    '>CONFIDENTIAL</div>"

pdf.ApplyWatermark(watermarkHtml, 50, VerticalAlignment.Middle, HorizontalAlignment.Center)

' Add page numbers with custom formatting
pdf.AddHtmlFooters(New HtmlHeaderFooter With {
	.HtmlFragment = "<div style='text-align:center'>Page {page} of {total-pages}</div>",
	.DrawDividerLine = True
})

pdf.SaveAs("watermarked.pdf")
$vbLabelText   $csharpLabel

IronPDF's HTML-based approach to watermarking provides unlimited customization options using familiar web technologies. For more examples, visit the watermarking guide.

What Are the Real Costs of Each Solution?

IronPDF Licensing Structure

IronPDF's transparent pricing offers flexibility for teams of all sizes:

  • 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: $5,999 - Unlimited developers and projects

Value-Added Options:

  • Royalty-free redistribution: +$1,999
  • Extended support and updates: $999/year
  • Iron Suite: $1,498 - Access to 9 Iron Software products

All licenses include:

  • 30-day money-back guarantee
  • Perpetual license (one-time payment)
  • 1 year of support and updates
  • Development, staging, and production use

Ready to evaluate IronPDF in your environment? Start your free 30-day trial with full functionality and no watermarks.

SelectPdf Pricing Analysis

Based on SelectPdf's current pricing:

  • Single Developer: $499 - 1 developer, 1 deployment
  • Single Developer OEM: $799 - 1 developer, unlimited deployments
  • 5-Developers: $799 - Up to 5 developers, 10 deployments
  • 5-Developers OEM: $1,099 - Up to 5 developers, unlimited deployments
  • Enterprise: $1,199 - Unlimited developers, 100 deployments
  • Enterprise OEM: $1,599 - Unlimited developers, unlimited deployments

Important Limitations:

  • Community Edition limited to 5-page PDFs
  • Annual maintenance renewal required for updates
  • No suite options for multiple products
  • Limited refund policy

Total Cost of Ownership Comparison

Consider these factors beyond initial licensing:

Development Time: IronPDF's intuitive API and extensive documentation reduce development time by an estimated 40-60% compared to SelectPdf, based on developer feedback.

Platform Limitations: SelectPdf's Windows-only restriction may require additional infrastructure costs for cross-platform deployments.

Support Costs: IronPDF includes 24/5 engineering support, while SelectPdf offers email-only support, potentially increasing resolution times for critical issues.

How Does Documentation and Support Compare?

IronPDF: Comprehensive Developer Resources

IronPDF prioritizes developer success with extensive resources:

The documentation follows a task-oriented approach, helping developers find solutions quickly. Each feature includes working examples, best practices, and troubleshooting guides.

SelectPdf: Basic Documentation

SelectPdf provides:

  • Standard API documentation
  • Limited code examples
  • Email support during business hours
  • Basic troubleshooting guides

According to developer reviews on Stack Overflow, users often struggle with performance issues and limited documentation for advanced scenarios.

What Do Real Developers Say?

Performance Feedback

Stack Overflow discussions reveal common SelectPdf issues:

  • "It takes 3 seconds to convert html to pdf on .NET Core"
  • "Can have a big hit on your build time and deploy package size"
  • "The same conversion takes about 3.5 minutes on the web server"

In contrast, IronPDF users report consistent sub-second conversion times and efficient resource usage.

Developer Experience

From GitHub issues, SelectPdf users note:

  • Limited modern CSS support
  • Performance degradation with complex HTML
  • 5-page limitation in free version discovered after implementation

IronPDF consistently receives praise for:

  • Intuitive API design
  • Excellent rendering quality
  • Responsive support team
  • Regular updates and improvements

Want to experience the difference yourself? Book a personalized demo with our engineering team.

Which Library Handles Enterprise Requirements Better?

Compliance and Security

IronPDF provides enterprise-grade features:

  • GDPR-compliant redaction tools
  • HIPAA-ready encryption
  • SOC 2 Type II compliance
  • Digital signature validation
  • Audit trail support

SelectPdf offers basic security but lacks:

  • Content redaction
  • Advanced signature validation
  • Compliance-specific features
  • Audit logging capabilities

Scalability and Performance

Enterprise applications demand consistent performance at scale. Performance testing shows:

IronPDF:

  • Handles 1000+ page documents efficiently
  • Native async/await support for high concurrency
  • Optimized memory management
  • Thread-safe operations

SelectPdf:

  • Performance issues with large documents
  • Limited async support
  • Higher memory consumption
  • Threading limitations reported

Conclusion: Making the Right Choice for Your PDF Needs

Both IronPDF and SelectPdf serve the .NET PDF generation market, but they target different use cases and development scenarios.

Choose IronPDF when you need:

  • Cross-platform deployment (Linux, macOS, Docker)
  • Modern web standards support (CSS3, JavaScript frameworks)
  • Advanced features (redaction, DOCX conversion, digital signatures)
  • Enterprise compliance requirements
  • Professional support and regular updates
  • Cloud-native architecture support

Consider SelectPdf for:

  • Windows-only environments
  • Simple HTML to PDF conversion
  • Budget-conscious projects with basic requirements
  • Small documents (under 5 pages for free version)

IronPDF stands out as the more versatile and comprehensive solution, offering superior rendering quality, extensive features, and true cross-platform support. Its modern architecture and developer-friendly API make it ideal for teams building scalable, production-ready applications.

While SelectPdf may have a lower entry price point, the limitations in platform support, features, and performance often result in higher total costs through increased development time and infrastructure constraints.

Take the Next Step

Ready to elevate your PDF generation capabilities? IronPDF offers multiple ways to get started:

Transform your PDF generation workflow with a library built for modern .NET development. Join thousands of developers who've already made the switch to IronPDF.

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

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Please note
SelectPdf is a registered trademark of its respective owner. This site is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by SelectPdf. 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 are the main differences between these two PDF libraries for .NET Core?

IronPDF offers cross-platform support (Windows, Linux, macOS, Docker) with a Chrome-based rendering engine, while SelectPdf only works on Windows. IronPDF provides advanced features like content redaction, DOCX to PDF conversion, and better JavaScript support. SelectPdf focuses on basic HTML to PDF conversion with limited platform compatibility.

Which platforms and .NET versions are supported by these PDF tools?

IronPDF supports .NET 9, 8, 7, 6, Core (3.1+), Standard (2.0+), and Framework (4.6.2+) across Windows, Linux, macOS, Docker, Azure, and AWS. SelectPdf supports .NET Framework 4.0+ and .NET Core 2.1+ but only runs on Windows systems with limited Azure support.

Can these libraries handle JavaScript and modern CSS in HTML to PDF conversion?

IronPDF fully supports JavaScript execution and CSS3 with its Chrome V8 rendering engine, handling frameworks like React and Angular. SelectPdf has limited JavaScript support and may struggle with modern CSS features like Grid and Flexbox.

How do I convert DOCX files to PDF in .NET Core?

IronPDF provides native DOCX to PDF conversion using the DocxToPdfRenderer class, allowing direct conversion without Microsoft Office dependencies. Simply use renderer.RenderDocxAsPdf("document.docx") to convert your Word documents to PDF format with formatting preserved.

What security features are available for PDF encryption and protection?

IronPDF offers AES-256 encryption, granular permission controls, digital signatures with certificate support, and password protection through its SecuritySettings class. Both user and owner passwords can be set with specific permissions for printing, editing, and content copying.

How much do these PDF libraries cost for commercial use?

IronPDF starts at $749 for a single developer license with prices ranging up to $2,999 for 10 developers. SelectPdf begins at $499 for one developer, with enterprise licensing at $1,199 for unlimited developers. IronPDF includes 24/5 support while SelectPdf offers email-only support.

Can I apply digital signatures to PDFs programmatically?

Yes, IronPDF provides straightforward digital signature implementation using the PdfSignature class with X.509 certificates. You can add signatures with timestamps, specify signing reasons, and configure signature appearance with just a few lines of code.

Is PDF content redaction supported for compliance requirements?

IronPDF includes built-in redaction tools using the RedactTextOnAllPages() method, supporting regex patterns for sensitive data removal. This feature is essential for GDPR and HIPAA compliance, permanently removing content from PDFs.

What kind of technical support is available for developers?

IronPDF offers 24/5 engineering support with direct access to the development team, extensive documentation with 100+ code examples, video tutorials, and an active community forum. Response times typically range from 24-48 hours with dedicated support channels including chat and screen sharing for professional licenses.

How do these libraries perform with large or complex PDF documents?

IronPDF handles large documents efficiently with optimized memory management and native async/await support, processing 1000+ page documents smoothly. Performance testing shows sub-second conversion for standard pages, while some developers report 2-3 second conversion times with memory issues for complex documents in competing solutions.

Can I add watermarks and stamps to existing PDF files?

Yes, IronPDF allows HTML/CSS-based watermarking using the ApplyWatermark() method with full control over opacity, rotation, and positioning. You can add text or image watermarks, headers, footers, and page numbers to enhance document branding and security.

Is there a free trial or community edition available?

IronPDF offers a fully-functional 30-day free trial with no watermarks or limitations, allowing complete evaluation in production environments. The trial includes access to all features, documentation, and support to help you make an informed decision.

Jacob Mellor, Chief Technology Officer @ Team Iron
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, and global government agencies.

Jacob holds a First-Class Honours Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) in Civil Engineering from the University of Manchester (1998–2001). After opening his first software business in London in 1999 and creating his first .NET components in 2005, he specialized in solving complex problems across the Microsoft ecosystem.

His flagship IronPDF & IronSuite .NET libraries have achieved over 30 million NuGet installations globally, with his foundational code continuing to power developer tools used worldwide. With 25 years of commercial experience and 41 years of coding expertise, Jacob remains focused on driving innovation in enterprise-grade C#, Java, and Python PDF technologies while mentoring the next generation of technical leaders.

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