IronPDF vs XFINIUM.PDF: HTML to PDF Library Comparison for .NET
IronPDF excels in HTML-to-PDF conversion with full CSS and JavaScript support using the Chromium engine. In contrast, XFINIUM.PDF specializes in low-level PDF manipulation without native HTML rendering, making IronPDF a more suitable choice for modern web-based PDF generation in .NET applications.
Modern technology offers smarter solutions for developers, with automation driving software development processes. Working with C# PDF files has long been a challenge for developers. Multiple factors must be considered when creating content for PDF files, and even more so when converting content from different formats to PDF. These challenges are now addressed through libraries designed to assist in reading, writing, creating, and converting PDFs from various formats.
This article compares two popular PDF libraries for .NET and .NET Core developers:
- The IronPDF library
- The XFINIUM.PDF library
Both IronPDF and XFINIUM.PDF provide methods for creating, manipulating, and printing PDFs in .NET and .NET Core. You can make an informed decision by reviewing the following comparison of the two libraries and their respective features for PDF conversion and manipulation.
First, let's explore what the two libraries offer, then proceed to the comparison.
What Are the Features of the XFINIUM.PDF Library?
The XFINIUM.PDF library is a cross-platform tool for PDF development, catering to both beginner and advanced PDF developers. It allows you to create reports, fill PDF forms, construct PDF portfolios, redact sensitive data from PDF reports, or convert PDF reports to multipage TIFF images.
XFINIUM.PDF is available in two editions: the Generator Edition, which includes PDF production and editing, and the Viewer Edition, which adds PDF rendering and PDF viewing.
XFINIUM.PDF is written entirely in C# as fully managed code. It is licensed per developer with royalty-free distribution, allowing you to distribute your program without additional costs.
What is the difference between the Generator and Viewer Editions?
The Generator Edition is a subset of the Viewer Edition. It offers PDF functionality for creating and editing PDFs, while the Viewer Edition adds PDF rendering capabilities. The Viewer Edition can convert PDF pages to RAW, BMP, GIF, JPG, PNG, and TIFF images.
XFINIUM.PDF Specification
Key features include:
Security
- User and owner passwords
- Document access rights
- 40-bit and 128-bit RC4 encryption
- 128-bit and 256-bit AES encryption
- Content redaction
- Disable text copy/paste
Digital Signatures
- Approval and certification with X509 certificates
- CMS and PAdES signatures with SHA256/384/512
- Signature timestamps
- OCSP and CRL information in signatures
- Document security store
- Document timestamps
- LTV enabled digital signatures
- Decode signatures into ASN.1 objects
- Extract certificates from signatures
- Save signed PDF copies
Barcode
- Built-in vector barcode engine
- Unidimensional barcodes:
- Codabar, Code 11, Code 25, Code 39/93/128
- Pharmaceutical: Code 32, Pharmacode, PZN
- Bidimensional barcodes:
DataMatrix, QR, PDF417, Micro PDF417
For advanced barcode functionality, consider Ironbarcode Documentation which provides complete barcode generation and reading capabilities.
Content Extraction
- Extract text with position information
- Extract text as words with positions
- Extract from user-defined regions
- Extract images with metadata
Low-Level COS API
- Add, edit and remove COS objects
- Supported types: strings, numbers, names, booleans, nulls, arrays, dictionaries, streams
PDF Rendering (Viewer Edition Only)
- Render pages to images: RAW, BMP, GIF, JPG, PNG, TIFF
- ARGB, RGBA, BGRA, RGB, BGR, and Grayscale layouts
- PDF to multipage TIFF with CCITT G4
What Are the Main Features of IronPDF?
The IronPDF .NET PDF library simplifies PDF development for C# programmers. With this tool, you can easily construct a core PDF library for .NET.
IronPDF converts HTML pages to PDF files using the .NET Chromium engine. You don't need complicated APIs to position or design PDFs with HTML to PDF. Standard web documents are supported, including HTML, ASPX, JS, CSS, and images.
You can use HTML5, CSS, JavaScript, and images to develop a .NET PDF library. PDFs can be edited, stamped, and improved with headers and footers. The library manages reading PDF text and extracting graphics efficiently.
Download IronPDF for free and start using it in your .NET projects today.
Standout Features of the IronPDF C# Library
Key features include:
Produce PDFs (HTML to PDF)
- HTML4/5, CSS, and JavaScript support
- Load URLs with network credentials, user agents, proxies, cookies, HTTP headers
Edit Existing PDF Documents
- Read and fill form fields
- Extract graphics and text
- Update pages with new HTML content
- Add logical or HTML headers/footers
Manipulate PDF Documents
- Load and parse existing PDFs
- Merge and split documents
- Add headers, annotations, bookmarks, watermarks, text, images
Convert Various File Formats
- ASPX WebForms — Convert with three lines of code
- Convert HTML files to PDF
- Custom base URLs for asset access
- Virtual viewport for responsive design
- Support for major file encodings (UTF-8 default)
Print and Save
- Save/load from files, binary data, MemoryStreams
- CSS media types for printing
- Print PDFs without Adobe Acrobat
- Export API logs for debugging
IronPDF supports all major operating systems and frameworks:
How Do I Install the IronPDF C# Library?
You can download and install IronPDF in four ways:
- Using Visual Studio
- Developer Command Prompt
- Download the NuGet Package directly
- Download the IronPDF .DLL Library
Using Visual Studio
Visual Studio provides the NuGet Package Manager to install packages in your projects. Access it through the Project Menu or by right-clicking your project in Solution Explorer.

Figure 1. Accessing the NuGet Package Manager using the Project Menu in Visual Studio

Figure 2. Accessing the NuGet Package Manager using the context menu in Visual Studio
Once selected, browse for the IronPDF package and install it.

Figure 3. Installing the IronPDF library using the NuGET Package Manager in Visual Studio
Using the Developer Command Prompt
Install the IronPDF NuGet package through the Developer Command Prompt:
- Open the Developer Command Prompt
Type the following command:
nuget install IronPdfnuget install IronPdfSHELL- Press Enter
- The package downloads and installs
- Reload your Visual Studio project
Download the NuGet Package Directly
Download and install IronPDF directly from NuGet:
- Go to to IronPdf NuGet Page
- Select Download Package
- Double-click the downloaded package
- The package installs
- Reload your Visual Studio project
Install IronPDF by Downloading the Library
Download the IronPDF .DLL file directly from the IronPDF Download.

Figure 4. Downloading the IronPDF Library DLL from the IronPDF website
Reference the library in your project:
- Right-click the Solution in Solution Explorer
- Select References
- Browse for the IronPDF.dll library
- Click OK
IronPDF is now ready to use. Let's install XFINIUM.PDF next.
How Do I Install XFINIUM.PDF?
In .NET Core, install Xfinium PDF as a cake addin or tool:
# Install Xfinium.Pdf.NetCore as a Cake Addin
#addin nuget:?package=Xfinium.Pdf.NetCore&version=10.2.0# Install Xfinium.Pdf.NetCore as a Cake Addin
#addin nuget:?package=Xfinium.Pdf.NetCore&version=10.2.0# Install Xfinium.Pdf.NetCore as a Cake Tool
#tool nuget:?package=Xfinium.Pdf.NetCore&version=10.2.0# Install Xfinium.Pdf.NetCore as a Cake Tool
#tool nuget:?package=Xfinium.Pdf.NetCore&version=10.2.0Now let's compare IronPDF and XFINIUM.PDF.
How Do I Create a Simple PDF Document in .NET Core?
Software developers must know how to create PDF files dynamically using C#. You might need PDF creation for generating reports from user input, saving user text as PDF, extracting HTML information and converting it to PDF, and more.
Both libraries can convert HTML webpages to PDF. Let's examine each library's approach.
Using IronPDF
IronPDF provides multiple methods for creating PDF files.
Existing URL to PDF
IronPDF makes it simple to convert HTML into PDF documents from existing URLs. JavaScript, images, forms, and CSS receive full support.
The implementation handles URL rendering automatically:
// Create an instance of the ChromePdfRenderer
IronPdf.ChromePdfRenderer Renderer = new IronPdf.ChromePdfRenderer();
// Configure rendering options for better performance
Renderer.RenderingOptions.WaitFor.RenderDelay = 500; // Wait for JavaScript to load
Renderer.RenderingOptions.CssMediaType = IronPdf.Rendering.PdfCssMediaType.Print;
// Render a URL to PDF
using var Pdf = Renderer.RenderUrlAsPdf("___PROTECTED_URL_134___");
// Save the PDF with metadata
Pdf.MetaData.Author = "IronPDF";
Pdf.MetaData.Title = "Website to PDF Conversion";
Pdf.SaveAs("url.pdf");// Create an instance of the ChromePdfRenderer
IronPdf.ChromePdfRenderer Renderer = new IronPdf.ChromePdfRenderer();
// Configure rendering options for better performance
Renderer.RenderingOptions.WaitFor.RenderDelay = 500; // Wait for JavaScript to load
Renderer.RenderingOptions.CssMediaType = IronPdf.Rendering.PdfCssMediaType.Print;
// Render a URL to PDF
using var Pdf = Renderer.RenderUrlAsPdf("___PROTECTED_URL_134___");
// Save the PDF with metadata
Pdf.MetaData.Author = "IronPDF";
Pdf.MetaData.Title = "Website to PDF Conversion";
Pdf.SaveAs("url.pdf");HTML Input String to PDF
Consider the following code example for rendering a PDF page from HTML string. You can use HTML alone or combine it with CSS, images, and JavaScript:
// Create an instance of the ChromePdfRenderer
var Renderer = new IronPdf.ChromePdfRenderer();
// Configure rendering options
Renderer.RenderingOptions.MarginTop = 50; // millimeters
Renderer.RenderingOptions.MarginBottom = 50;
Renderer.RenderingOptions.CssMediaType = IronPdf.Rendering.PdfCssMediaType.Print;
// Render a simple HTML string to PDF
using var PDF = Renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<h1>Html with CSS and Images</h1>");
// Add document properties
PDF.MetaData.Author = "Development Team";
PDF.MetaData.Keywords = "HTML, PDF, C#";
PDF.MetaData.ModifiedDate = DateTime.Now;
// Save the PDF
PDF.SaveAs("pixel-perfect.pdf");
// Load external HTML assets: images, CSS, and javascript
// An optional BasePath 'C:\site\assets\' is set as the file location to load assets from
using var AdvancedPDF = Renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<img src='icons/iron.png'>", @"C:\site\assets\");
// Apply security settings
AdvancedPDF.Password = "pass123";
AdvancedPDF.SecuritySettings.AllowUserPrinting = IronPdf.Security.PdfPrintSecurity.FullPrintRights;
// Save the advanced PDF with external assets
AdvancedPDF.SaveAs("html-with-assets.pdf");// Create an instance of the ChromePdfRenderer
var Renderer = new IronPdf.ChromePdfRenderer();
// Configure rendering options
Renderer.RenderingOptions.MarginTop = 50; // millimeters
Renderer.RenderingOptions.MarginBottom = 50;
Renderer.RenderingOptions.CssMediaType = IronPdf.Rendering.PdfCssMediaType.Print;
// Render a simple HTML string to PDF
using var PDF = Renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<h1>Html with CSS and Images</h1>");
// Add document properties
PDF.MetaData.Author = "Development Team";
PDF.MetaData.Keywords = "HTML, PDF, C#";
PDF.MetaData.ModifiedDate = DateTime.Now;
// Save the PDF
PDF.SaveAs("pixel-perfect.pdf");
// Load external HTML assets: images, CSS, and javascript
// An optional BasePath 'C:\site\assets\' is set as the file location to load assets from
using var AdvancedPDF = Renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<img src='icons/iron.png'>", @"C:\site\assets\");
// Apply security settings
AdvancedPDF.Password = "pass123";
AdvancedPDF.SecuritySettings.AllowUserPrinting = IronPdf.Security.PdfPrintSecurity.FullPrintRights;
// Save the advanced PDF with external assets
AdvancedPDF.SaveAs("html-with-assets.pdf");For advanced HTML to PDF conversion techniques, see the HTML to PDF tutorial.
Using XFINIUM.PDF
Creating a blank PDF document with XFINIUM.PDF requires three lines: create the document, create a page, and save:
// Create a new PDF document
PdfFixedDocument document = new PdfFixedDocument();
// Add a page to the document
PdfPage page = document.Pages.Add();
// Save the document as a PDF file
document.Save("empty.pdf");// Create a new PDF document
PdfFixedDocument document = new PdfFixedDocument();
// Add a page to the document
PdfPage page = document.Pages.Add();
// Save the document as a PDF file
document.Save("empty.pdf");Adding text content requires three additional lines: creating a font, creating a brush for color, and drawing text:
// Create a new PDF document
PdfFixedDocument document = new PdfFixedDocument();
PdfPage page = document.Pages.Add();
// Create a standard font with Helvetica face and 24 point size
PdfStandardFont helvetica = new PdfStandardFont(PdfStandardFontFace.Helvetica, 24);
// Create a solid RGB red brush.
PdfBrush brush = new PdfBrush(PdfRgbColor.Red);
// Draw the text on the page.
page.Graphics.DrawString("Hello World", helvetica, brush, 100, 100);
// Save the document as a PDF file
document.Save("helloworld.pdf");// Create a new PDF document
PdfFixedDocument document = new PdfFixedDocument();
PdfPage page = document.Pages.Add();
// Create a standard font with Helvetica face and 24 point size
PdfStandardFont helvetica = new PdfStandardFont(PdfStandardFontFace.Helvetica, 24);
// Create a solid RGB red brush.
PdfBrush brush = new PdfBrush(PdfRgbColor.Red);
// Draw the text on the page.
page.Graphics.DrawString("Hello World", helvetica, brush, 100, 100);
// Save the document as a PDF file
document.Save("helloworld.pdf");The object model closely resembles the PDF standard. This approach provides clear benefits for building complex abstractions like flow documents.## How to Create Fillable PDF Files
Using XFINIUM.PDF
XFINIUM.PDF allows you to create new PDF forms and fill existing PDF forms.
Each PDF form field type has a corresponding class:
PdfTextBoxField– textbox fieldsPdfCheckBoxField– checkboxesPdfRadioButtonField– radio button setsPdfComboboxField– combo boxesPdfListboxField– listboxesPdfPushbuttonField– push buttons- PdfSignatureField – signature fields
To create a form field, specify the field name and page location. After creating the field object, add it to the page and set its attributes:
// Create a text box field named "firstname"
PdfTextBoxField firstNameTextBox = new PdfTextBoxField("firstname");
// Add the field to a PDF page
pdfpage.Fields.Add(firstNameTextBox);
// Set the position of the field on the PDF page
firstNameTextBox.Widgets[0].VisualRectangle = new PdfVisualRectangle(150, 45, 200, 20);// Create a text box field named "firstname"
PdfTextBoxField firstNameTextBox = new PdfTextBoxField("firstname");
// Add the field to a PDF page
pdfpage.Fields.Add(firstNameTextBox);
// Set the position of the field on the PDF page
firstNameTextBox.Widgets[0].VisualRectangle = new PdfVisualRectangle(150, 45, 200, 20);To fill existing PDF forms, load them into a PdfFixedDocument object. The document's fields collection populates automatically. You can find fields by index or name and fill them by setting value properties:
// Load an existing PDF document with forms
PdfFixedDocument document = new PdfFixedDocument("form.pdf");
// Fill form fields with values
(document.Form.Fields["firstname"] as PdfTextBoxField).Text = "John";
(document.Form.Fields["lastname"] as PdfTextBoxField).Value = "Doe";
(document.Form.Fields["sex"].Widgets[0] as PdfRadioButtonWidget).Checked = true;
(document.Form.Fields["firstcar"] as PdfComboBoxField).SelectedIndex = 0;
(document.Form.Fields["secondcar"] as PdfListBoxField).SelectedIndex = 1;
(document.Form.Fields["agree"] as PdfCheckBoxField).Checked = true;
// Save the filled form as a new PDF file
document.Save("form_filled.pdf");// Load an existing PDF document with forms
PdfFixedDocument document = new PdfFixedDocument("form.pdf");
// Fill form fields with values
(document.Form.Fields["firstname"] as PdfTextBoxField).Text = "John";
(document.Form.Fields["lastname"] as PdfTextBoxField).Value = "Doe";
(document.Form.Fields["sex"].Widgets[0] as PdfRadioButtonWidget).Checked = true;
(document.Form.Fields["firstcar"] as PdfComboBoxField).SelectedIndex = 0;
(document.Form.Fields["secondcar"] as PdfListBoxField).SelectedIndex = 1;
(document.Form.Fields["agree"] as PdfCheckBoxField).Checked = true;
// Save the filled form as a new PDF file
document.Save("form_filled.pdf");Using IronPDF
Here's how you can create fillable PDFs using IronPDF:
// PM> Install-Package IronPdf
using IronPdf;
using IronPdf.Rendering;
// Step 1. Creating a PDF with editable forms from HTML using form and input tags
var FormHtml = @"
<html>
<head>
<style>
body { font-family: Arial, sans-serif; margin: 40px; }
h2 { color: #333; }
form { background: #f4f4f4; padding: 20px; border-radius: 8px; }
input[type='text'] {
width: 100%;
padding: 8px;
margin: 10px 0;
border: 1px solid #ddd;
border-radius: 4px;
}
input[type='checkbox'] { margin-right: 10px; }
select { width: 100%; padding: 8px; margin: 10px 0; }
</style>
</head>
<body>
<h2>Editable PDF Form</h2>
<form>
First name:<br> <input type='text' name='firstname' value=''> <br>
Last name:<br> <input type='text' name='lastname' value=''>
<br><br>
Email:<br> <input type='text' name='email' value=''>
<br><br>
Subscribe to newsletter: <input type='checkbox' name='newsletter' value='yes'>
<br><br>
Country:
<select name='country'>
<option value='usa'>United States</option>
<option value='uk'>United Kingdom</option>
<option value='canada'>Canada</option>
</select>
</form>
</body>
</html>";
// Create a PDF renderer with form creation enabled
IronPdf.ChromePdfRenderer Renderer = new IronPdf.ChromePdfRenderer();
Renderer.RenderingOptions.CreatePdfFormsFromHtml = true;
Renderer.RenderingOptions.CssMediaType = PdfCssMediaType.Print;
Renderer.RenderingOptions.MarginTop = 20;
Renderer.RenderingOptions.MarginBottom = 20;
// Render the HTML as a PDF and save it
var pdfDocument = Renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf(FormHtml);
pdfDocument.SaveAs("BasicForm.pdf");
// Step 2. Reading and Writing PDF form values.
var FormDocument = PdfDocument.FromFile("BasicForm.pdf");
// Get form field collection
var form = FormDocument.Form;
// Set and Read the value of the "firstname" field
var FirstNameField = form.FindFormField("firstname");
FirstNameField.Value = "Minnie";
Console.WriteLine("FirstNameField value: {0}", FirstNameField.Value);
// Set and Read the value of the "lastname" field
var LastNameField = form.FindFormField("lastname");
LastNameField.Value = "Mouse";
Console.WriteLine("LastNameField value: {0}", LastNameField.Value);
// Set email field
var EmailField = form.FindFormField("email");
EmailField.Value = "minnie.mouse@example.com";
// Set checkbox
var NewsletterField = form.FindFormField("newsletter");
NewsletterField.Value = "yes";
// Set dropdown selection
var CountryField = form.FindFormField("country");
CountryField.Value = "usa";
// Save the form with filled values
FormDocument.SaveAs("FilledForm.pdf");
// Step 3. Flattening the form (making it non-editable)
FormDocument.Form.Flatten();
FormDocument.SaveAs("FlattenedForm.pdf");// PM> Install-Package IronPdf
using IronPdf;
using IronPdf.Rendering;
// Step 1. Creating a PDF with editable forms from HTML using form and input tags
var FormHtml = @"
<html>
<head>
<style>
body { font-family: Arial, sans-serif; margin: 40px; }
h2 { color: #333; }
form { background: #f4f4f4; padding: 20px; border-radius: 8px; }
input[type='text'] {
width: 100%;
padding: 8px;
margin: 10px 0;
border: 1px solid #ddd;
border-radius: 4px;
}
input[type='checkbox'] { margin-right: 10px; }
select { width: 100%; padding: 8px; margin: 10px 0; }
</style>
</head>
<body>
<h2>Editable PDF Form</h2>
<form>
First name:<br> <input type='text' name='firstname' value=''> <br>
Last name:<br> <input type='text' name='lastname' value=''>
<br><br>
Email:<br> <input type='text' name='email' value=''>
<br><br>
Subscribe to newsletter: <input type='checkbox' name='newsletter' value='yes'>
<br><br>
Country:
<select name='country'>
<option value='usa'>United States</option>
<option value='uk'>United Kingdom</option>
<option value='canada'>Canada</option>
</select>
</form>
</body>
</html>";
// Create a PDF renderer with form creation enabled
IronPdf.ChromePdfRenderer Renderer = new IronPdf.ChromePdfRenderer();
Renderer.RenderingOptions.CreatePdfFormsFromHtml = true;
Renderer.RenderingOptions.CssMediaType = PdfCssMediaType.Print;
Renderer.RenderingOptions.MarginTop = 20;
Renderer.RenderingOptions.MarginBottom = 20;
// Render the HTML as a PDF and save it
var pdfDocument = Renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf(FormHtml);
pdfDocument.SaveAs("BasicForm.pdf");
// Step 2. Reading and Writing PDF form values.
var FormDocument = PdfDocument.FromFile("BasicForm.pdf");
// Get form field collection
var form = FormDocument.Form;
// Set and Read the value of the "firstname" field
var FirstNameField = form.FindFormField("firstname");
FirstNameField.Value = "Minnie";
Console.WriteLine("FirstNameField value: {0}", FirstNameField.Value);
// Set and Read the value of the "lastname" field
var LastNameField = form.FindFormField("lastname");
LastNameField.Value = "Mouse";
Console.WriteLine("LastNameField value: {0}", LastNameField.Value);
// Set email field
var EmailField = form.FindFormField("email");
EmailField.Value = "minnie.mouse@example.com";
// Set checkbox
var NewsletterField = form.FindFormField("newsletter");
NewsletterField.Value = "yes";
// Set dropdown selection
var CountryField = form.FindFormField("country");
CountryField.Value = "usa";
// Save the form with filled values
FormDocument.SaveAs("FilledForm.pdf");
// Step 3. Flattening the form (making it non-editable)
FormDocument.Form.Flatten();
FormDocument.SaveAs("FlattenedForm.pdf");You start by creating a form with HTML formatting tags. The library handles the complexity when saving as PDF. Reading and writing form values is done using the FindFormField function. Your application can immediately use this feature to fill forms programmatically.
For advanced form handling, including digital signatures, see the Create PDF Forms tutorial.
How to Digitally Sign PDF Files
Remote work requires efficient document processing. Filling and signing forms, sending files, and processing documents are daily business activities. Signing PDF documents, portfolios, and forms replaces paper documents. Digital signatures enable companies to sign agreements and share PDF forms online.
Using XFINIUM.PDF
A signature field applies digital signatures in PDF files (PdfSignatureField class). Though the signature field appears on one page, the digital signature signs the entire document.
The signing process uses a PdfDigitalSignature object to set the signature attribute. The signature forms when saving the document based on the PDF file's binary layout.
PdfDigitalSignature provides the foundation for all XFINIUM signatures:
PdfCmsDigitalSignature– CMS standard signature (inherits fromPdfDigitalSignature)PdfPadesDigitalSignature– PADES standard signature (inherits fromPdfCmsDigitalSignature)PdfInteractiveCmsDigitalSignature– CMS signature using hardware smartcardPdfInteractivePadesDigitalSignature– PADES with hardware smartcard supportPdfDocumentTimeStamp– Document-level timestamp (inherits fromPdfDigitalSignature)
Using IronPDF
Developers frequently ask about programmatically adding signatures to PDFs with IronPDF and C#. This can mean:
- Adding graphical signature images from files
- Cryptographically signing to prevent tampering
- Adding handwritten signature icons with cryptographic signing
The first approach involves stamping a signature PNG onto existing PDF pages. Use it for signatures or company stamps:
// Open an existing PDF document or create a new one
var Pdf = PdfDocument.FromFile(@"C:\Path\To\ASPX to PDF.pdf");
// Define an HTML stamp with a signature image
var SignatureStamp = new HtmlStamp()
{
Html = "<img src='signature.png' />",
Width = 150,
Height = 50,
Bottom = 300,
Left = 85,
ZIndex = HtmlStamp.StampLayer.OnTopOfExistingPDFContent
};
// Advanced stamp with styling
var StyledSignatureStamp = new HtmlStamp()
{
Html = @"<div style='border: 2px solid #000; padding: 10px; background: rgba(255,255,255,0.9);'>
<img src='signature.png' style='width: 120px;' />
<p style='margin: 5px 0 0 0; font-size: 10px;'>Digitally Signed</p>
<p style='margin: 0; font-size: 8px;'>{date}</p>
</div>",
Width = 150,
Height = 100,
Bottom = 50,
Right = 50,
ZIndex = HtmlStamp.StampLayer.OnTopOfExistingPDFContent
};
// Stamp the signature on the first page of the PDF
Pdf.StampHTML(SignatureStamp, 1);
// Or apply to all pages
Pdf.StampHTML(StyledSignatureStamp);
// Save the stamped PDF
Pdf.SaveAs(@"C:\Path\To\Stamped_PDF.pdf");// Open an existing PDF document or create a new one
var Pdf = PdfDocument.FromFile(@"C:\Path\To\ASPX to PDF.pdf");
// Define an HTML stamp with a signature image
var SignatureStamp = new HtmlStamp()
{
Html = "<img src='signature.png' />",
Width = 150,
Height = 50,
Bottom = 300,
Left = 85,
ZIndex = HtmlStamp.StampLayer.OnTopOfExistingPDFContent
};
// Advanced stamp with styling
var StyledSignatureStamp = new HtmlStamp()
{
Html = @"<div style='border: 2px solid #000; padding: 10px; background: rgba(255,255,255,0.9);'>
<img src='signature.png' style='width: 120px;' />
<p style='margin: 5px 0 0 0; font-size: 10px;'>Digitally Signed</p>
<p style='margin: 0; font-size: 8px;'>{date}</p>
</div>",
Width = 150,
Height = 100,
Bottom = 50,
Right = 50,
ZIndex = HtmlStamp.StampLayer.OnTopOfExistingPDFContent
};
// Stamp the signature on the first page of the PDF
Pdf.StampHTML(SignatureStamp, 1);
// Or apply to all pages
Pdf.StampHTML(StyledSignatureStamp);
// Save the stamped PDF
Pdf.SaveAs(@"C:\Path\To\Stamped_PDF.pdf");Cryptographically sign PDFs using .pfx and .p12 X509Certificate2 digital certificates with one line:
// 123456 below represents the signature password
new IronPdf.PdfSignature("CertificateFile.p12", "123456").SignPdfFile("ASPX to PDF.pdf");
// Or with more control
var signature = new IronPdf.PdfSignature("CertificateFile.p12", "123456")
{
SigningContact = "john@example.com",
SigningLocation = "New York, USA",
SigningReason = "Contract Agreement"
};
// Load the PDF
var pdf = PdfDocument.FromFile("contract.pdf");
// Sign and save
pdf.SignPdfWithDigitalSignature(signature);
pdf.SaveAs("signed-contract.pdf");// 123456 below represents the signature password
new IronPdf.PdfSignature("CertificateFile.p12", "123456").SignPdfFile("ASPX to PDF.pdf");
// Or with more control
var signature = new IronPdf.PdfSignature("CertificateFile.p12", "123456")
{
SigningContact = "john@example.com",
SigningLocation = "New York, USA",
SigningReason = "Contract Agreement"
};
// Load the PDF
var pdf = PdfDocument.FromFile("contract.pdf");
// Sign and save
pdf.SignPdfWithDigitalSignature(signature);
pdf.SaveAs("signed-contract.pdf");This advanced example combines .pfx / .p12 X509Certificate2 digital ID signing with handwritten signatures:
// Create a digital signature using a certificate file
var Signature = new IronPdf.PdfSignature("Iron.pfx", "123456");
// Render a PDF document to be signed
var Renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();
Renderer.RenderingOptions.MarginBottom = 0;
Renderer.RenderingOptions.MarginTop = 0;
Renderer.RenderingOptions.EnableJavaScript = true;
Renderer.RenderingOptions.CssMediaType = IronPdf.Rendering.PdfCssMediaType.Print;
// Create PDF with security features
string html = @"<h1>Contract Agreement</h1>
<p>This document is digitally signed and encrypted.</p>
<p>Agreement Date: " + DateTime.Now.ToString("yyyy-MM-dd") + @"</p>";
PdfDocument doc = Renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf(html);
// Configure optional signing options and a handwritten signature graphic
Signature.SigningContact = "support@ironsoftware.com";
Signature.SigningLocation = "Chicago, USA";
Signature.SigningReason = "To show how to sign a PDF";
// Load a handwritten signature image
Signature.LoadSignatureImageFromFile("handwriting.png");
// Advanced security: Set permissions
doc.SecuritySettings.AllowUserPrinting = IronPdf.Security.PdfPrintSecurity.NoPrint;
doc.SecuritySettings.AllowUserEdits = IronPdf.Security.PdfEditSecurity.NoEdit;
doc.SecuritySettings.AllowUserCopyPasteContent = false;
// Sign the PDF document with the digital signature
doc.SignPdfWithDigitalSignature(Signature);
// Add password protection
doc.Password = "userpassword";
doc.OwnerPassword = "ownerpassword";
// Save the signed PDF document
doc.SaveAs("Signed_ASPX_to_PDF.pdf");// Create a digital signature using a certificate file
var Signature = new IronPdf.PdfSignature("Iron.pfx", "123456");
// Render a PDF document to be signed
var Renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();
Renderer.RenderingOptions.MarginBottom = 0;
Renderer.RenderingOptions.MarginTop = 0;
Renderer.RenderingOptions.EnableJavaScript = true;
Renderer.RenderingOptions.CssMediaType = IronPdf.Rendering.PdfCssMediaType.Print;
// Create PDF with security features
string html = @"<h1>Contract Agreement</h1>
<p>This document is digitally signed and encrypted.</p>
<p>Agreement Date: " + DateTime.Now.ToString("yyyy-MM-dd") + @"</p>";
PdfDocument doc = Renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf(html);
// Configure optional signing options and a handwritten signature graphic
Signature.SigningContact = "support@ironsoftware.com";
Signature.SigningLocation = "Chicago, USA";
Signature.SigningReason = "To show how to sign a PDF";
// Load a handwritten signature image
Signature.LoadSignatureImageFromFile("handwriting.png");
// Advanced security: Set permissions
doc.SecuritySettings.AllowUserPrinting = IronPdf.Security.PdfPrintSecurity.NoPrint;
doc.SecuritySettings.AllowUserEdits = IronPdf.Security.PdfEditSecurity.NoEdit;
doc.SecuritySettings.AllowUserCopyPasteContent = false;
// Sign the PDF document with the digital signature
doc.SignPdfWithDigitalSignature(Signature);
// Add password protection
doc.Password = "userpassword";
doc.OwnerPassword = "ownerpassword";
// Save the signed PDF document
doc.SaveAs("Signed_ASPX_to_PDF.pdf");For complete security implementations, explore Ironsecuredoc Documentation for advanced document protection features.## How Does Each Library Handle Modern CSS Frameworks and Bootstrap?
Modern web applications often rely on CSS frameworks like Bootstrap for quick UI development and responsive design. PDF generation tools must accurately preserve these framework layouts to ensure professional document quality.
IronPDF: Complete Bootstrap Framework Support
IronPDF's Chromium rendering engine fully supports modern CSS frameworks:
- Bootstrap 5: Full flexbox and CSS Grid rendering with all responsive components
- Bootstrap 4: Complete card systems, navigation bars, and utility classes
- Tailwind CSS: All utility-first classes and responsive variants
- Foundation and Other Frameworks: Full CSS3 support means all modern frameworks work correctly
- Advanced CSS: Flexbox, CSS Grid, custom properties, animations, and transforms
Real-world validation: The Bootstrap homepage and templates convert with browser-accurate fidelity.
Code Example: Event Schedule with Bootstrap Cards
using IronPdf;
var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();
// Configure rendering for optimal Bootstrap output
renderer.RenderingOptions.CssMediaType = IronPdf.Rendering.PdfCssMediaType.Print;
renderer.RenderingOptions.EnableJavaScript = true;
renderer.RenderingOptions.RenderDelay = 500; // Allow JS to fully load
renderer.RenderingOptions.ViewPortWidth = 1280; // Desktop viewport
renderer.RenderingOptions.MarginTop = 10;
renderer.RenderingOptions.MarginBottom = 10;
renderer.RenderingOptions.MarginLeft = 10;
renderer.RenderingOptions.MarginRight = 10;
string bootstrapSchedule = @"
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<link href='___PROTECTED_URL_135___ rel='stylesheet'>
<style>
@media print {
.pagebreak { page-break-after: always; }
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<div class='container my-5'>
<h1 class='text-center mb-5'>Tech Conference 2025 - Schedule</h1>
<div class='row g-4'>
<div class='col-md-6'>
<div class='card border-primary'>
<div class='card-header bg-primary text-white d-flex justify-content-between align-items-center'>
<h5 class='mb-0'>Keynote Session</h5>
<span class='badge bg-light text-primary'>9:00 AM</span>
</div>
<div class='card-body'>
<h6 class='card-subtitle mb-2 text-muted'>Main Auditorium</h6>
<p class='card-text'><strong>The Future of AI in Software Development</strong></p>
<p class='card-text'>Join us for an exploration of how artificial intelligence is transforming the software development environment.</p>
<div class='d-flex align-items-center'>
<img src='___PROTECTED_URL_136___ class='rounded-circle me-2' alt='Speaker'>
<div>
<div class='fw-bold'>Dr. Sarah Chen</div>
<small class='text-muted'>AI Research Lead</small>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class='col-md-6'>
<div class='card border-success'>
<div class='card-header bg-success text-white d-flex justify-content-between align-items-center'>
<h5 class='mb-0'>Workshop</h5>
<span class='badge bg-light text-success'>10:30 AM</span>
</div>
<div class='card-body'>
<h6 class='card-subtitle mb-2 text-muted'>Workshop Room A</h6>
<p class='card-text'><strong>Hands-On: Cloud-Native Architecture</strong></p>
<p class='card-text'>Learn practical techniques for building flexible, cloud-native applications with modern frameworks.</p>
<div class='d-flex align-items-center'>
<img src='___PROTECTED_URL_137___ class='rounded-circle me-2' alt='Speaker'>
<div>
<div class='fw-bold'>Michael Rodriguez</div>
<small class='text-muted'>Cloud Architect</small>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class='col-md-6'>
<div class='card border-warning'>
<div class='card-header bg-warning text-dark d-flex justify-content-between align-items-center'>
<h5 class='mb-0'>Panel Discussion</h5>
<span class='badge bg-dark'>2:00 PM</span>
</div>
<div class='card-body'>
<h6 class='card-subtitle mb-2 text-muted'>Main Auditorium</h6>
<p class='card-text'><strong>Security in Modern Web Applications</strong></p>
<p class='card-text'>Industry experts discuss current security challenges and best practices for protecting user data.</p>
<small class='text-muted'>Featuring 4 industry experts</small>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class='col-md-6'>
<div class='card border-info'>
<div class='card-header bg-info text-white d-flex justify-content-between align-items-center'>
<h5 class='mb-0'>Technical Talk</h5>
<span class='badge bg-light text-info'>3:30 PM</span>
</div>
<div class='card-body'>
<h6 class='card-subtitle mb-2 text-muted'>Room B</h6>
<p class='card-text'><strong>Performance Optimization Strategies</strong></p>
<p class='card-text'>Deep dive into advanced techniques for improve application performance and reducing latency.</p>
<div class='d-flex align-items-center'>
<img src='___PROTECTED_URL_138___ class='rounded-circle me-2' alt='Speaker'>
<div>
<div class='fw-bold'>Alex Kim</div>
<small class='text-muted'>Performance Engineer</small>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class='pagebreak'></div>
<h2 class='mt-5'>Additional Sessions</h2>
<div class='table-responsive'>
<table class='table table-striped'>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Time</th>
<th>Session</th>
<th>Speaker</th>
<th>Location</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>11:45 AM</td>
<td>Lightning Talks</td>
<td>Various</td>
<td>Room C</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1:00 PM</td>
<td>Networking Lunch</td>
<td>-</td>
<td>Cafeteria</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</div>
</body>
</html>";
// Generate the PDF
var pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf(bootstrapSchedule);
// Add metadata
pdf.MetaData.Author = "Tech Conference Team";
pdf.MetaData.Title = "Conference Schedule 2025";
pdf.MetaData.Subject = "Event Schedule";
// Save the PDF
pdf.SaveAs("conference-schedule.pdf");
// Example: Generate responsive invoice with Bootstrap
string bootstrapInvoice = @"
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<link href='___PROTECTED_URL_139___ rel='stylesheet'>
<link href='___PROTECTED_URL_140___ rel='stylesheet'>
</head>
<body>
<div class='container mt-5'>
<div class='row'>
<div class='col-12'>
<div class='card'>
<div class='card-body'>
<div class='row mb-4'>
<div class='col-sm-6'>
<h2 class='text-primary'><i class='fas fa-file-invoice'></i> INVOICE</h2>
<p class='mb-1'><strong>Invoice #:</strong> INV-2025-001</p>
<p class='mb-1'><strong>Date:</strong> " + DateTime.Now.ToString("MMMM dd, yyyy") + @"</p>
</div>
<div class='col-sm-6 text-sm-end'>
<h4>Your Company Name</h4>
<p class='mb-1'>123 Business St</p>
<p class='mb-1'>City, State 12345</p>
<p>contact@company.com</p>
</div>
</div>
<hr>
<div class='row mb-4'>
<div class='col-sm-6'>
<h5>Bill To:</h5>
<p class='mb-1'><strong>Client Company</strong></p>
<p class='mb-1'>456 Client Ave</p>
<p>City, State 67890</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class='table-responsive'>
<table class='table table-bordered'>
<thead class='table-primary'>
<tr>
<th>Description</th>
<th class='text-center'>Quantity</th>
<th class='text-end'>Price</th>
<th class='text-end'>Total</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Web Development Services</td>
<td class='text-center'>40</td>
<td class='text-end'>$150.00</td>
<td class='text-end'>$6,000.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>UI/UX Design</td>
<td class='text-center'>20</td>
<td class='text-end'>$125.00</td>
<td class='text-end'>$2,500.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
<tfoot>
<tr>
<td colspan='3' class='text-end'><strong>Subtotal:</strong></td>
<td class='text-end'><strong>$8,500.00</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan='3' class='text-end'>Tax (10%):</td>
<td class='text-end'>$850.00</td>
</tr>
<tr class='table-primary'>
<td colspan='3' class='text-end'><strong>Total Due:</strong></td>
<td class='text-end'><strong>$9,350.00</strong></td>
</tr>
</tfoot>
</table>
</div>
<div class='alert alert-info mt-4'>
<i class='fas fa-info-circle'></i> Payment is due within 30 days. Thank you for your business!
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</body>
</html>";
var invoicePdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf(bootstrapInvoice);
invoicePdf.SaveAs("bootstrap-invoice.pdf");using IronPdf;
var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();
// Configure rendering for optimal Bootstrap output
renderer.RenderingOptions.CssMediaType = IronPdf.Rendering.PdfCssMediaType.Print;
renderer.RenderingOptions.EnableJavaScript = true;
renderer.RenderingOptions.RenderDelay = 500; // Allow JS to fully load
renderer.RenderingOptions.ViewPortWidth = 1280; // Desktop viewport
renderer.RenderingOptions.MarginTop = 10;
renderer.RenderingOptions.MarginBottom = 10;
renderer.RenderingOptions.MarginLeft = 10;
renderer.RenderingOptions.MarginRight = 10;
string bootstrapSchedule = @"
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<link href='___PROTECTED_URL_135___ rel='stylesheet'>
<style>
@media print {
.pagebreak { page-break-after: always; }
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<div class='container my-5'>
<h1 class='text-center mb-5'>Tech Conference 2025 - Schedule</h1>
<div class='row g-4'>
<div class='col-md-6'>
<div class='card border-primary'>
<div class='card-header bg-primary text-white d-flex justify-content-between align-items-center'>
<h5 class='mb-0'>Keynote Session</h5>
<span class='badge bg-light text-primary'>9:00 AM</span>
</div>
<div class='card-body'>
<h6 class='card-subtitle mb-2 text-muted'>Main Auditorium</h6>
<p class='card-text'><strong>The Future of AI in Software Development</strong></p>
<p class='card-text'>Join us for an exploration of how artificial intelligence is transforming the software development environment.</p>
<div class='d-flex align-items-center'>
<img src='___PROTECTED_URL_136___ class='rounded-circle me-2' alt='Speaker'>
<div>
<div class='fw-bold'>Dr. Sarah Chen</div>
<small class='text-muted'>AI Research Lead</small>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class='col-md-6'>
<div class='card border-success'>
<div class='card-header bg-success text-white d-flex justify-content-between align-items-center'>
<h5 class='mb-0'>Workshop</h5>
<span class='badge bg-light text-success'>10:30 AM</span>
</div>
<div class='card-body'>
<h6 class='card-subtitle mb-2 text-muted'>Workshop Room A</h6>
<p class='card-text'><strong>Hands-On: Cloud-Native Architecture</strong></p>
<p class='card-text'>Learn practical techniques for building flexible, cloud-native applications with modern frameworks.</p>
<div class='d-flex align-items-center'>
<img src='___PROTECTED_URL_137___ class='rounded-circle me-2' alt='Speaker'>
<div>
<div class='fw-bold'>Michael Rodriguez</div>
<small class='text-muted'>Cloud Architect</small>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class='col-md-6'>
<div class='card border-warning'>
<div class='card-header bg-warning text-dark d-flex justify-content-between align-items-center'>
<h5 class='mb-0'>Panel Discussion</h5>
<span class='badge bg-dark'>2:00 PM</span>
</div>
<div class='card-body'>
<h6 class='card-subtitle mb-2 text-muted'>Main Auditorium</h6>
<p class='card-text'><strong>Security in Modern Web Applications</strong></p>
<p class='card-text'>Industry experts discuss current security challenges and best practices for protecting user data.</p>
<small class='text-muted'>Featuring 4 industry experts</small>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class='col-md-6'>
<div class='card border-info'>
<div class='card-header bg-info text-white d-flex justify-content-between align-items-center'>
<h5 class='mb-0'>Technical Talk</h5>
<span class='badge bg-light text-info'>3:30 PM</span>
</div>
<div class='card-body'>
<h6 class='card-subtitle mb-2 text-muted'>Room B</h6>
<p class='card-text'><strong>Performance Optimization Strategies</strong></p>
<p class='card-text'>Deep dive into advanced techniques for improve application performance and reducing latency.</p>
<div class='d-flex align-items-center'>
<img src='___PROTECTED_URL_138___ class='rounded-circle me-2' alt='Speaker'>
<div>
<div class='fw-bold'>Alex Kim</div>
<small class='text-muted'>Performance Engineer</small>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class='pagebreak'></div>
<h2 class='mt-5'>Additional Sessions</h2>
<div class='table-responsive'>
<table class='table table-striped'>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Time</th>
<th>Session</th>
<th>Speaker</th>
<th>Location</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>11:45 AM</td>
<td>Lightning Talks</td>
<td>Various</td>
<td>Room C</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1:00 PM</td>
<td>Networking Lunch</td>
<td>-</td>
<td>Cafeteria</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</div>
</body>
</html>";
// Generate the PDF
var pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf(bootstrapSchedule);
// Add metadata
pdf.MetaData.Author = "Tech Conference Team";
pdf.MetaData.Title = "Conference Schedule 2025";
pdf.MetaData.Subject = "Event Schedule";
// Save the PDF
pdf.SaveAs("conference-schedule.pdf");
// Example: Generate responsive invoice with Bootstrap
string bootstrapInvoice = @"
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<link href='___PROTECTED_URL_139___ rel='stylesheet'>
<link href='___PROTECTED_URL_140___ rel='stylesheet'>
</head>
<body>
<div class='container mt-5'>
<div class='row'>
<div class='col-12'>
<div class='card'>
<div class='card-body'>
<div class='row mb-4'>
<div class='col-sm-6'>
<h2 class='text-primary'><i class='fas fa-file-invoice'></i> INVOICE</h2>
<p class='mb-1'><strong>Invoice #:</strong> INV-2025-001</p>
<p class='mb-1'><strong>Date:</strong> " + DateTime.Now.ToString("MMMM dd, yyyy") + @"</p>
</div>
<div class='col-sm-6 text-sm-end'>
<h4>Your Company Name</h4>
<p class='mb-1'>123 Business St</p>
<p class='mb-1'>City, State 12345</p>
<p>contact@company.com</p>
</div>
</div>
<hr>
<div class='row mb-4'>
<div class='col-sm-6'>
<h5>Bill To:</h5>
<p class='mb-1'><strong>Client Company</strong></p>
<p class='mb-1'>456 Client Ave</p>
<p>City, State 67890</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class='table-responsive'>
<table class='table table-bordered'>
<thead class='table-primary'>
<tr>
<th>Description</th>
<th class='text-center'>Quantity</th>
<th class='text-end'>Price</th>
<th class='text-end'>Total</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Web Development Services</td>
<td class='text-center'>40</td>
<td class='text-end'>$150.00</td>
<td class='text-end'>$6,000.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>UI/UX Design</td>
<td class='text-center'>20</td>
<td class='text-end'>$125.00</td>
<td class='text-end'>$2,500.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
<tfoot>
<tr>
<td colspan='3' class='text-end'><strong>Subtotal:</strong></td>
<td class='text-end'><strong>$8,500.00</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan='3' class='text-end'>Tax (10%):</td>
<td class='text-end'>$850.00</td>
</tr>
<tr class='table-primary'>
<td colspan='3' class='text-end'><strong>Total Due:</strong></td>
<td class='text-end'><strong>$9,350.00</strong></td>
</tr>
</tfoot>
</table>
</div>
<div class='alert alert-info mt-4'>
<i class='fas fa-info-circle'></i> Payment is due within 30 days. Thank you for your business!
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</body>
</html>";
var invoicePdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf(bootstrapInvoice);
invoicePdf.SaveAs("bootstrap-invoice.pdf");Output: A professional conference schedule with Bootstrap's card grid, flexbox alignment, badge components, and responsive layout—all accurately rendered in the PDF.
XFINIUM.PDF: Limited HTML and Framework Support
XFINIUM.PDF focuses on PDF generation and manipulation rather than HTML-to-PDF conversion. The library has significant limitations for Bootstrap and modern CSS frameworks:
- No Native HTML Rendering: XFINIUM.PDF does not include a built-in HTML-to-PDF conversion engine
- Basic HTML Support Only: Limited to simple HTML structures without advanced CSS
- No Bootstrap Support: Modern Bootstrap frameworks (4/5) with flexbox and CSS Grid are not supported
- Workarounds Required: Developers must use low-level PDF APIs to manually recreate layouts
- External Tools Needed: May require integration with external HTML rendering engines
Development impact: Applications using Bootstrap or modern CSS frameworks cannot directly convert their UI to PDF with XFINIUM.PDF. Developers must either:
- Recreate layouts using XFINIUM.PDF's low-level drawing APIs (significant development time)
- Integrate external HTML rendering tools (added complexity and dependencies)
- Maintain separate PDF layout code parallel to web UI (maintenance overhead)
For projects requiring HTML-to-PDF conversion with modern frameworks, XFINIUM.PDF's limitations require significant additional development.
For complete Bootstrap and modern CSS framework support, see the Bootstrap & Flexbox CSS Guide.
What Are the Pricing and Licensing Options?
XFINIUM.PDF Pricing and Licensing
Each package comes in two editions: Generator Edition for PDF production/editing, and Viewer Edition containing all Generator features plus PDF rendering and viewing.
- Each developer needs a license.
- Royalty-free distribution to unlimited desktops/servers.
- Assistance Subscription includes one year of updates/support.
Pricing ranges from $290.00 to $872.00 per year.
IronPDF Pricing and Licensing
IronPDF is free for development and can be licensed for commercial use anytime. Options include single-project licenses, single developers, agencies, multinational organizations, and SaaS/OEM redistribution. All licenses include a 30-day money-back guarantee, one year of support/upgrades, dev/staging/production validity, and a perpetual license (one-time purchase). The Lite package starts at $799 with no recurring expenses.
Which PDF Library Should I Choose?
The IronPDF library simplifies PDF creation without proprietary APIs. "HTML-To-PDF" converts open standard documents like HTML, JS, CSS, JPG, PNG, GIF, and SVG into pixel-perfect PDFs. It builds on existing developer skills. You can download documents, email them, or save to cloud, creating bills, quotes, reports, contracts, and other paperwork. It works with ASP.NET, ASP.NET Core, web forms, MVC, .NET Framework, and .NET Core Web APIs.
XFINIUM.PDF provides functionality for novice and advanced PDF developers. Whether you need to create reports, fill PDF forms, construct portfolios, redact information, or convert PDFs to multipage TIFFs, it offers necessary tools. The basic object model follows PDF specifications. Code compiles on all platforms without modification.
XFINIUM.PDF licenses start at $290 (Generator) and $387 (Viewer) editions. IronPDF starts at $799. IronPDF offers both single and multi-user licenses, while XFINIUM.PDF requires licenses per developer. IronPDF's professional license ($799) supports unlimited users.
IronPDF requires fewer lines of code for PDF manipulation than XFINIUM.PDF, reducing programmer workload.
Iron Software offers its complete suite with two clicks. For the price of two libraries, you currently receive all five libraries with continuous support.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the key features of IronPDF for HTML to PDF conversion?
IronPDF leverages the .NET Chromium engine to convert HTML to PDF. It supports HTML5, CSS, JavaScript, and image integration, making it a comprehensive solution for creating PDFs from web content.
How does XFINIUM.PDF compare to other PDF libraries for .NET?
XFINIUM.PDF is a cross-platform library offering two editions: Generator and Viewer. It excels in PDF creation, editing, rendering, and includes features like security, digital signatures, and barcode support.
Can IronPDF be used on cloud platforms like Azure and AWS?
Yes, IronPDF is compatible with various platforms, including Azure and AWS, allowing for flexible deployment of PDF solutions in cloud environments.
What installation options are available for IronPDF in .NET projects?
IronPDF can be installed using Visual Studio's NuGet Package Manager, the Developer Command Prompt, or by directly downloading the NuGet package or the library DLL.
What are the PDF editing capabilities of IronPDF?
IronPDF allows for extensive PDF editing, including filling form fields, merging documents, and extracting text and images. It supports adding headers, footers, and annotations as well.
How do the licensing options differ between IronPDF and XFINIUM.PDF?
XFINIUM.PDF offers licenses starting at $290 per developer with royalty-free distribution. IronPDF provides broader licensing options, including a professional license for unlimited users.
What security features does XFINIUM.PDF provide?
XFINIUM.PDF supports security features like user and owner passwords, document access rights, RC4 and AES encryption, and content redaction to ensure document safety.
Why might developers choose IronPDF for their projects?
Developers might choose IronPDF for its simplified approach to PDF manipulation, requiring fewer lines of code, and its flexibility with single and multi-user licenses.
How does IronPDF handle form filling in PDFs?
IronPDF provides tools to fill form fields within PDFs, allowing for dynamic document creation and user interaction.
What digital signing capabilities are available in these PDF libraries?
Both IronPDF and XFINIUM.PDF support digital signatures, enabling secure validation of document authenticity and integrity.








