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IronPDF vs iTextSharp MVC View to PDF File in C#

Published:December 3, 2025

Converting ASP.NET MVC Views to PDF Documents

Converting ASP.NET MVC views to PDF documents is a fundamental requirement in modern ASP.NET Core web applications. Whether you're generating invoices, reports, or certificates, the challenge remains: how do you transform your carefully crafted Razor views into professional PDF files while preserving formatting and style? This process requires understanding the complete code needed to generate PDF content from HTML files. This tutorial explores two popular approaches—the legacy iTextSharp library and the modern IronPDF solution—helping you choose the right tool for your PDF generation needs.

IronPDF vs iTextSharp MVC View to PDF File in C#: Image 1 - IronPDF

Why Convert ASP.NET MVC Views to PDF Documents?

Businesses rely on PDF generation for countless critical operations. Invoice systems need to create tamper-proof billing documents. HR departments generate employment certificates and contracts. Sales teams produce quotes and proposals. Educational platforms issue completion certificates. Each scenario demands server-side PDF generation that maintains consistent formatting across all devices and platforms. According to ASP.NET Core documentation, Razor views provide the perfect template system for generating dynamic content that can be converted to PDF.

IronPDF vs iTextSharp MVC View to PDF File in C#: Image 2 - Features

How Does iTextSharp Handle MVC to PDF Conversion?

iTextSharp has been a staple in .NET PDF generation for over a decade. Originally ported from the Java iText library, it provides low-level control over PDF creation. However, its approach to HTML conversion shows its age, particularly when dealing with modern web content.

Installing iTextSharp

To add iTextSharp to your ASP.NET Core MVC project, install the NuGet package:

Install-Package iTextSharp

IronPDF vs iTextSharp MVC View to PDF File in C#: Image 3 - Install iTextSharp

Basic Implementation with iTextSharp

Here's a complete example showing how to convert an MVC view to PDF using iTextSharp's XMLWorkerHelper class in your ASP.NET MVC project:

using iTextSharp.text;
using iTextSharp.tool.xml;
using iTextSharp.text.pdf;
using System.IO;

public class HomeController : Controller
{
    public ActionResult Index()
    {
        return View();
    }

    public ActionResult GeneratePDF()
    {
        // First step: Create a simple invoice HTML
        string invoiceHtml = @"
            <h1>Invoice #1001</h1>
            <p>Date: " + DateTime.Now.ToString("MM/dd/yyyy") + @"</p>
            <table border='1'>
                <tr><th>Item</th><th>Price</th></tr>
                <tr><td>Product A</td><td>$99.99</td></tr>
                <tr><td>Product B</td><td>$149.99</td></tr>
            </table>
            <p><strong>Total: $249.98</strong></p>";
        // Create PDF document using iTextSharp
        using (var stream = new MemoryStream())
        {
            var document = new Document(PageSize.A4);
            PdfWriter writer = PdfWriter.GetInstance(document, stream);
            document.Open();
            using (var srHtml = new StringReader(invoiceHtml))
            {
                XMLWorkerHelper.GetInstance().ParseXHtml(writer, document, srHtml);
            }
            document.Close();
            // Return the PDF file with binary data
            return new FileContentResult(stream.ToArray(), "application/pdf")
            {
                FileDownloadName = "invoice.pdf"
            };
        }
    }
}

using iTextSharp.text;
using iTextSharp.tool.xml;
using iTextSharp.text.pdf;
using System.IO;

public class HomeController : Controller
{
    public ActionResult Index()
    {
        return View();
    }

    public ActionResult GeneratePDF()
    {
        // First step: Create a simple invoice HTML
        string invoiceHtml = @"
            <h1>Invoice #1001</h1>
            <p>Date: " + DateTime.Now.ToString("MM/dd/yyyy") + @"</p>
            <table border='1'>
                <tr><th>Item</th><th>Price</th></tr>
                <tr><td>Product A</td><td>$99.99</td></tr>
                <tr><td>Product B</td><td>$149.99</td></tr>
            </table>
            <p><strong>Total: $249.98</strong></p>";
        // Create PDF document using iTextSharp
        using (var stream = new MemoryStream())
        {
            var document = new Document(PageSize.A4);
            PdfWriter writer = PdfWriter.GetInstance(document, stream);
            document.Open();
            using (var srHtml = new StringReader(invoiceHtml))
            {
                XMLWorkerHelper.GetInstance().ParseXHtml(writer, document, srHtml);
            }
            document.Close();
            // Return the PDF file with binary data
            return new FileContentResult(stream.ToArray(), "application/pdf")
            {
                FileDownloadName = "invoice.pdf"
            };
        }
    }
}

IRON VB CONVERTER ERROR developers@ironsoftware.com

$vbLabelText $csharpLabel

This complete code creates a basic PDF document from HTML content in your Visual Studio project. The XMLWorkerHelper class processes the HTML string and adds elements to the PDF document using the object model. The PdfWriter handles the actual PDF generation process, while the Document manages the page structure. Note that this example uses the newer approach recommended for better results.

Output

IronPDF vs iTextSharp MVC View to PDF File in C#: Image 4 - PDF Output

Understanding iTextSharp's Limitations

The XMLWorkerHelper class supports basic HTML tags and inline CSS. Modern CSS3 properties, flexbox layouts, and grid systems don't render. JavaScript-dependent content disappears entirely. Complex styling like gradients, shadows, and transforms are ignored. Even standard Bootstrap classes fail to apply, leaving your carefully designed views looking plain and unprofessional. Many developers have reported these limitations on Stack Overflow, leading to frustration when trying to convert MVC views to PDF with iTextSharp.

Perhaps more concerning is iTextSharp's licensing model. The library uses the AGPL license, which requires you to open-source your entire application if you use the free version. Commercial licenses start at several thousand dollars per year, making it expensive for many businesses. This licensing restriction has pushed many developers to seek alternatives that better align with commercial development needs. As discussed in Microsoft's .NET documentation, choosing libraries with appropriate licenses is crucial for commercial projects.

IronPDF vs iTextSharp MVC View to PDF File in C#: Image 5 - IronPDF vs iTextSharp MVC View to PDF

How Does IronPDF Transform MVC Views to PDF?

IronPDF represents a modern approach to PDF generation in ASP.NET Core MVC. Built on the Chromium rendering engine, it converts HTML to PDF exactly as it appears in Google Chrome, preserving all styling, JavaScript execution, and responsive design elements.

Installing IronPDF

Add IronPDF to your project with a simple NuGet command:

Install-Package IronPdf

IronPDF vs iTextSharp MVC View to PDF File in C#: Image 6 - Installation

Modern Implementation with IronPDF

Let's create the same invoice with enhanced styling using IronPDF in your ASP.NET MVC web application:

using IronPdf;
public class HomeController : Controller
{
    // Action method to display the index view
    public ActionResult Index()
    {
        return View();
    }
    public ActionResult GenerateModernPDF()
    {
        // Create a styled invoice HTML file content with modern CSS
        string invoiceHtml = @"
            <style>
                body { font-family: 'Segoe UI', Arial; padding: 40px; }
                .invoice-header {
                    background: linear-gradient(135deg, #667eea 0%, #764ba2 100%);
                    color: white;
                    padding: 30px;
                    border-radius: 10px;
                }
                table {
                    width: 100%;
                    border-collapse: collapse;
                    margin: 20px 0;
                }
                th {
                    background-color: #f3f4f6;
                    padding: 12px;
                    text-align: left;
                }
                td {
                    padding: 12px;
                    border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e7eb;
                }
                .total {
                    font-size: 24px;
                    color: #10b981;
                    text-align: right;
                    margin-top: 20px;
                }
            </style>
            <div class='invoice-header'>
                <h1>Invoice #1001</h1>
                <p>Date: " + DateTime.Now.ToString("MMMM dd, yyyy") + @"</p>
            </div>
            <table>
                <tr><th>Item</th><th>Quantity</th><th>Price</th></tr>
                <tr><td>Premium Package</td><td>1</td><td>$99.99</td></tr>
                <tr><td>Professional Services</td><td>2</td><td>$149.99</td></tr>
            </table>
            <div class='total'>Total: $249.98</div>
            <p>Page numbers and additional content can be added to each page.</p>";
        // Create PDF with Chrome rendering engine
        var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();
        var pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf(invoiceHtml);
        // Set content disposition for download in browser
        Response.Headers.Append("Content-Disposition", "attachment; filename=modern-invoice.pdf");
        // Return the PDF file with binary data to the user
        return new FileContentResult(pdf.BinaryData, "application/pdf");
    }
}

using IronPdf;
public class HomeController : Controller
{
    // Action method to display the index view
    public ActionResult Index()
    {
        return View();
    }
    public ActionResult GenerateModernPDF()
    {
        // Create a styled invoice HTML file content with modern CSS
        string invoiceHtml = @"
            <style>
                body { font-family: 'Segoe UI', Arial; padding: 40px; }
                .invoice-header {
                    background: linear-gradient(135deg, #667eea 0%, #764ba2 100%);
                    color: white;
                    padding: 30px;
                    border-radius: 10px;
                }
                table {
                    width: 100%;
                    border-collapse: collapse;
                    margin: 20px 0;
                }
                th {
                    background-color: #f3f4f6;
                    padding: 12px;
                    text-align: left;
                }
                td {
                    padding: 12px;
                    border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e7eb;
                }
                .total {
                    font-size: 24px;
                    color: #10b981;
                    text-align: right;
                    margin-top: 20px;
                }
            </style>
            <div class='invoice-header'>
                <h1>Invoice #1001</h1>
                <p>Date: " + DateTime.Now.ToString("MMMM dd, yyyy") + @"</p>
            </div>
            <table>
                <tr><th>Item</th><th>Quantity</th><th>Price</th></tr>
                <tr><td>Premium Package</td><td>1</td><td>$99.99</td></tr>
                <tr><td>Professional Services</td><td>2</td><td>$149.99</td></tr>
            </table>
            <div class='total'>Total: $249.98</div>
            <p>Page numbers and additional content can be added to each page.</p>";
        // Create PDF with Chrome rendering engine
        var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();
        var pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf(invoiceHtml);
        // Set content disposition for download in browser
        Response.Headers.Append("Content-Disposition", "attachment; filename=modern-invoice.pdf");
        // Return the PDF file with binary data to the user
        return new FileContentResult(pdf.BinaryData, "application/pdf");
    }
}

IRON VB CONVERTER ERROR developers@ironsoftware.com

$vbLabelText $csharpLabel

This implementation leverages IronPDF's ChromePdfRenderer to convert the HTML exactly as it would appear in Chrome. The gradient backgrounds, modern fonts, and sophisticated styling all render perfectly. The renderer handles complex CSS properties that iTextSharp cannot process, including flexbox, grid layouts, transforms, and animations (rendered as static frames). The RenderHtmlAsPdf method makes converting HTML to PDF in MVC remarkably straightforward.

Output

IronPDF vs iTextSharp MVC View to PDF File in C#: Image 7 - IronPDF Output

Start your free trial and experience modern PDF generation with IronPDF's Chrome-powered rendering engine.

IronPDF vs iTextSharp MVC View to PDF File in C#: Image 8 - Cross-platform compatibility

Which Library Provides Better PDF Generation?

When comparing iTextSharp and IronPDF for .NET MVC view conversion, several critical factors emerge that clearly differentiate these libraries.

Feature Comparison

Feature	iTextSharp	IronPDF
HTML5 Support	Limited	Full
CSS3 Rendering	Basic only	Complete
JavaScript Execution	No	Yes
Flexbox/Grid Support	No	Yes
Bootstrap Compatibility	Partial	Full
Web Font Support	Limited	Complete
SVG Graphics	No	Yes
Responsive Design	No	Yes
Learning Curve	Steep	Gentle
API Complexity	Low-level	High-level

Licensing Considerations

The licensing difference between these libraries significantly impacts commercial development. iTextSharp's AGPL license creates legal obligations that many businesses cannot accept. Using the free version requires open-sourcing your entire application, including proprietary business logic. This restriction makes iTextSharp unsuitable for most commercial projects unless you purchase an expensive commercial license.

IronPDF offers straightforward commercial licensing starting at $749 for a single developer. The license includes one year of updates and support, with no obligation to open-source your application. This transparent pricing model aligns with typical software development budgets, making professional PDF generation accessible to businesses of all sizes when converting MVC views to PDF in C#.

IronPDF vs iTextSharp MVC View to PDF File in C#: Image 9 - Licensing

Output Quality Analysis

The rendering quality difference becomes immediately apparent when comparing outputs. iTextSharp produces basic PDFs that resemble documents from the early 2000s. Tables lack proper styling, fonts default to system standards, and modern design elements disappear entirely. The resulting PDFs look unprofessional and fail to match your application's branding.

IronPDF generates pixel-perfect PDFs that exactly match your web design. Gradients render smoothly, custom fonts display correctly, and complex layouts maintain their structure. The Chromium engine ensures that your PDFs look identical to the web view, preserving your brand identity and professional appearance across all generated documents.

What Advanced Features Does IronPDF Offer?

Beyond basic HTML conversion, IronPDF provides enterprise-grade features that streamline professional PDF generation. The complete API documentation demonstrates the library's extensive capabilities for converting MVC views to PDF.

Headers and Footers

Add professional headers and footers with dynamic content:

var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer
{
    RenderingOptions = new ChromePdfRenderOptions
    {
        HtmlHeader = new HtmlHeaderFooter
        {
            MaxHeight = 25,
            HtmlFragment = "<div style='text-align: center'>Company Name</div>"
        },
        HtmlFooter = new HtmlHeaderFooter
        {
            MaxHeight = 20,
            HtmlFragment = "<center>Page {page} of {total-pages}</center>"
        }
    }
};

var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer
{
    RenderingOptions = new ChromePdfRenderOptions
    {
        HtmlHeader = new HtmlHeaderFooter
        {
            MaxHeight = 25,
            HtmlFragment = "<div style='text-align: center'>Company Name</div>"
        },
        HtmlFooter = new HtmlHeaderFooter
        {
            MaxHeight = 20,
            HtmlFragment = "<center>Page {page} of {total-pages}</center>"
        }
    }
};

IRON VB CONVERTER ERROR developers@ironsoftware.com

$vbLabelText $csharpLabel

This configuration adds consistent branding to every page. The placeholders {page} and {total-pages} automatically populate with the correct values, ensuring accurate pagination throughout your document.

Security and Encryption

Protect sensitive documents with passwords and permissions using IronPDF's comprehensive security features:

var pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf(html);
// Add password protection
pdf.SecuritySettings.UserPassword = "user123";
pdf.SecuritySettings.OwnerPassword = "owner456";
// Set permissions
pdf.SecuritySettings.AllowUserPrinting = IronPdf.Security.PdfPrintSecurity.FullPrintRights;
pdf.SecuritySettings.AllowUserCopyPasteContent = false;

var pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf(html);
// Add password protection
pdf.SecuritySettings.UserPassword = "user123";
pdf.SecuritySettings.OwnerPassword = "owner456";
// Set permissions
pdf.SecuritySettings.AllowUserPrinting = IronPdf.Security.PdfPrintSecurity.FullPrintRights;
pdf.SecuritySettings.AllowUserCopyPasteContent = false;

IRON VB CONVERTER ERROR developers@ironsoftware.com

$vbLabelText $csharpLabel

These security settings prevent unauthorized access and control how recipients can interact with your PDFs when you convert MVC views to PDF. You can restrict printing, copying, and editing while maintaining full owner control for administrative purposes.

Output

IronPDF vs iTextSharp MVC View to PDF File in C#: Image 10 - Secure PDF Output

Form Field Handling

IronPDF seamlessly converts HTML forms into interactive PDF forms:

string formHtml = @"
    <form>
        <label>Name:</label>
        <input type='checkbox'> Accept Terms
        <select name='country'>
            <option>USA</option>
            <option>Canada</option>
        </select>
    </form>";
var pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf(formHtml);

string formHtml = @"
    <form>
        <label>Name:</label>
        <input type='checkbox'> Accept Terms
        <select name='country'>
            <option>USA</option>
            <option>Canada</option>
        </select>
    </form>";
var pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf(formHtml);

IRON VB CONVERTER ERROR developers@ironsoftware.com

$vbLabelText $csharpLabel

The resulting PDF maintains form interactivity, allowing users to fill fields directly in their PDF reader. This feature eliminates the need for separate form creation tools, streamlining your document workflow.

Output

IronPDF vs iTextSharp MVC View to PDF File in C#: Image 11 - Form Output

How to Resolve Common PDF Generation Issues?

Even with modern libraries and tools in Visual Studio, certain challenges require specific solutions to ensure optimal PDF output. This article will explain the following code patterns to help you generate PDFs effectively.

CSS Rendering Optimization

For best results with complex CSS when you convert HTML files to PDF format, use print media queries:

renderer.RenderingOptions.CssMediaType = IronPdf.Rendering.PdfCssMediaType.Print;

renderer.RenderingOptions.CssMediaType = IronPdf.Rendering.PdfCssMediaType.Print;

renderer.RenderingOptions.CssMediaType = IronPdf.Rendering.PdfCssMediaType.Print

$vbLabelText $csharpLabel

This setting applies print-specific CSS rules, optimizing layouts for PDF output rather than screen display in the browser. The method ensures your document renders correctly.

JavaScript Execution Timing

When converting dynamic content and working with data from your database, allow time for JavaScript execution in your MVC project. This process ensures complete rendering:

renderer.RenderingOptions.EnableJavaScript = true;
renderer.RenderingOptions.WaitFor.RenderDelay = 500; // milliseconds

renderer.RenderingOptions.EnableJavaScript = true;
renderer.RenderingOptions.WaitFor.RenderDelay = 500; // milliseconds

IRON VB CONVERTER ERROR developers@ironsoftware.com

$vbLabelText $csharpLabel

This configuration ensures that AJAX calls complete and DOM manipulations finish before PDF generation begins, capturing the fully rendered state of your MVC view to PDF. Note that this is the first step in handling dynamic content when you generate the PDF file.

Output

IronPDF vs iTextSharp MVC View to PDF File in C#: Image 12 - JavaScript Execution Output

Font Embedding and Document Formatting

Ensure custom fonts render correctly by embedding them in your HTML. This example shows how to create a new paragraph with custom fonts in your source code:

@font-face {
    font-family: 'CustomFont';
    src: url(data:font/woff2;base64,[base64-encoded-font]) format('woff2');
}

Embedding fonts directly in the HTML guarantees consistent rendering across all environments, eliminating missing font issues in generated PDF documents. Using iTextSharp might require additional configuration for the same result. Simply write the proper CSS and render to produce professional PDFs with perfect formatting. Remember to download and test the final version on different systems to ensure compatibility.

Conclusion

While iTextSharp served the .NET community well for many years, modern web development demands more sophisticated PDF generation capabilities. The process to create and generate PDF files has evolved significantly. IronPDF's Chrome-based rendering engine delivers the pixel-perfect accuracy and CSS3 support that today's ASP.NET MVC applications require. Its straightforward API, comprehensive documentation, and business-friendly licensing make it the clear choice for ASP.NET Core MVC projects.

Get started with IronPDF today to download the library and transform your MVC views into stunning PDF documents with just a few lines of code. Submit your first project and experience the power of modern PDF generation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of converting MVC views to PDF?

Converting MVC views to PDF allows developers to generate printable and easily shareable documents directly from web applications, preserving the layout and design of the original view.

What is IronPDF?

IronPDF is a .NET library that facilitates the creation, editing, and conversion of PDF documents within .NET applications, offering an easy way to integrate PDF functionality.

How does IronPDF simplify the conversion of MVC views to PDF?

IronPDF simplifies the process by allowing developers to render HTML and MVC views directly to PDF format without extensive coding requirements, preserving the original layout and design.

What are the benefits of using iTextSharp for PDF conversion?

iTextSharp is a robust PDF library that provides extensive functionalities for creating and manipulating PDF documents. It's widely used for its reliability and comprehensive feature set.

Can IronPDF and iTextSharp be used together?

Yes, IronPDF and iTextSharp can be used together to leverage the strengths of both libraries, enhancing PDF creation and manipulation capabilities within .NET applications.

What are the system requirements for using IronPDF?

IronPDF requires .NET Framework 4.0 or higher, and it is compatible with Windows, Linux, and Mac operating systems, allowing it to be used in various development environments.

Is it possible to customize the PDF output when converting MVC views?

Yes, using IronPDF, developers can customize the PDF output by adjusting settings such as page size, orientation, margins, and more to match specific requirements.

Does IronPDF support CSS styling for PDF conversion?

IronPDF supports CSS styling, ensuring that the converted PDF maintains the visual appearance of the original HTML or MVC view, including fonts, colors, and layout.

How does the performance of IronPDF compare to other PDF libraries?

IronPDF is designed for high performance, providing fast and efficient PDF processing capabilities that make it suitable for applications requiring quick document generation.

Where can I find documentation for IronPDF?

Comprehensive documentation for IronPDF can be found on the official Iron Software website, including guides, tutorials, and API references to assist developers in implementation.

Curtis Chau

Chat with engineering team now

Technical Writer

Curtis Chau holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science (Carleton University) and specializes in front-end development with expertise in Node.js, TypeScript, JavaScript, and React. Passionate about crafting intuitive and aesthetically pleasing user interfaces, Curtis enjoys working with modern frameworks and creating well-structured, visually appealing manuals.

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