Aspose PDF Converter Tutorial and Comparison

Examine how to work with the Aspose PDF converter in .NET by comparing its programming structure, provided functions, licensing and pricing packages. Follow the step-by-step tutorials and use the code examples to see for yourself which library is best for working with PDFs in your C# project.

using IronPdf;
static void Main(string[] args)
{
	//Create rendering converter
	var converter = new HtmlToPdf();
	//HTML text
	string HTML = "<h1>Hello IronPDF!</h1> <h2>Welcome to PDF File</h2> ";
	//Convert HTML string to PDF file
	var PDF = converter.RenderHtmlAsPdf(HTML);
	//Save the file
	PDF.SaveAs("Sample.pdf");
	Console.WriteLine("PDF File Successfully Created....");
	Console.ReadKey();
}

Imports IronPdf
Shared Sub Main(ByVal args() As String)
	'Create rendering converter
	Dim converter = New HtmlToPdf()
	'HTML text
	Dim HTML As String = "<h1>Hello IronPDF!</h1> <h2>Welcome to PDF File</h2> "
	'Convert HTML string to PDF file
	Dim PDF = converter.RenderHtmlAsPdf(HTML)
	'Save the file
	PDF.SaveAs("Sample.pdf")
	Console.WriteLine("PDF File Successfully Created....")
	Console.ReadKey()
End Sub

using IronPdf;
static void Main(string[] args)
{
	//Create HTML to PDF converter
	var converter = new IronPdf.HtmlToPdf();
	//Render HTML file to PDF
	var PDF = converter.RenderHTMLFileAsPdf("MyHtmlFile.html");
	//Save to target location
	PDF.SaveAs("Sample.pdf");
	Console.WriteLine("PDF File Successfully Created....");
	Console.ReadKey();
}

Imports IronPdf
Shared Sub Main(ByVal args() As String)
	'Create HTML to PDF converter
	Dim converter = New IronPdf.HtmlToPdf()
	'Render HTML file to PDF
	Dim PDF = converter.RenderHTMLFileAsPdf("MyHtmlFile.html")
	'Save to target location
	PDF.SaveAs("Sample.pdf")
	Console.WriteLine("PDF File Successfully Created....")
	Console.ReadKey()
End Sub

using IronPdf;
static void Main(string[] args)
{
	//Create HTML to PDF converter
	var converter = new IronPdf.HtmlToPdf();
	//Add Header
	converter.PrintOptions.Header = new SimpleHeaderFooter()
	{
		LeftText = "Header Text",
		RightText = "{date} {time}",
	};
	//Add Footer
	converter.PrintOptions.Footer = new SimpleHeaderFooter()
	{
		RightText = "Footer Text"
	 };
	//Add Page Content
	var PDF = converter.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<h1>Page Content</h2>");
	//save to target location
	PDF.SaveAs("Sample.pdf");
	Console.WriteLine("PDF File Successfully Created....");
	Console.ReadKey();
}

Imports IronPdf
Shared Sub Main(ByVal args() As String)
	'Create HTML to PDF converter
	Dim converter = New IronPdf.HtmlToPdf()
	'Add Header
	converter.PrintOptions.Header = New SimpleHeaderFooter() With {
		.LeftText = "Header Text",
		.RightText = "{date} {time}"
	}
	'Add Footer
	converter.PrintOptions.Footer = New SimpleHeaderFooter() With {.RightText = "Footer Text"}
	'Add Page Content
	Dim PDF = converter.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<h1>Page Content</h2>")
	'save to target location
	PDF.SaveAs("Sample.pdf")
	Console.WriteLine("PDF File Successfully Created....")
	Console.ReadKey()
End Sub

using IronPdf;
static void Main(string[] args)
{
	//Create HTML to PDF converter
	var converter = new IronPdf.HtmlToPdf();
	//add header
	converter.PrintOptions.Header = new SimpleHeaderFooter()
	{
		RightText = "Page {page} of {total-pages}",           
	};
	//Source HTML string
	string html = "<h1 style='text-align:center'>Welcome To IronPdf</h1>";
	//Convert string to PDF file
	var PDF = converter.RenderHtmlAsPdf(html);
	//Save to target location
	PDF.SaveAs("Sample.pdf");
	Console.WriteLine("successfully created..!");
}

Imports IronPdf
Shared Sub Main(ByVal args() As String)
	'Create HTML to PDF converter
	Dim converter = New IronPdf.HtmlToPdf()
	'add header
	converter.PrintOptions.Header = New SimpleHeaderFooter() With {.RightText = "Page {page} of {total-pages}"}
	'Source HTML string
	Dim html As String = "<h1 style='text-align:center'>Welcome To IronPdf</h1>"
	'Convert string to PDF file
	Dim PDF = converter.RenderHtmlAsPdf(html)
	'Save to target location
	PDF.SaveAs("Sample.pdf")
	Console.WriteLine("successfully created..!")
End Sub

using IronPdf;
static void Main(string[] args)
{
	//Create HTML to PDF converter 
	var converter = new IronPdf.HtmlToPdf();
	//Create source HTML string
	string html = "<h1 style='text-align:center'>Welcome To IronPdf</h1><h2 style='text-align:center'>Page Content</h2>";
	//Add string as PDF file content
	var PDF = converter.RenderHtmlAsPdf(html);
	//Create string for Watermark
	string WMStr = "<h1 style='color:red'>Sample WaterMark</h1>";
	//Add Watermark 
	PDF.WatermarkPage(WMStr, 0, PdfDocument.WaterMarkLocation.MiddleCenter,100,-45, "");
	//save the document
	PDF.SaveAs("sample.pdf");
	Console.WriteLine("successfully created..!");
}

Imports IronPdf
Shared Sub Main(ByVal args() As String)
	'Create HTML to PDF converter 
	Dim converter = New IronPdf.HtmlToPdf()
	'Create source HTML string
	Dim html As String = "<h1 style='text-align:center'>Welcome To IronPdf</h1><h2 style='text-align:center'>Page Content</h2>"
	'Add string as PDF file content
	Dim PDF = converter.RenderHtmlAsPdf(html)
	'Create string for Watermark
	Dim WMStr As String = "<h1 style='color:red'>Sample WaterMark</h1>"
	'Add Watermark 
	PDF.WatermarkPage(WMStr, 0, PdfDocument.WaterMarkLocation.MiddleCenter,100,-45, "")
	'save the document
	PDF.SaveAs("sample.pdf")
	Console.WriteLine("successfully created..!")
End Sub

Compare Aspose PDF Functions

• Compare Pricing & Licensing options
• Convert HTML String to PDF
• Convert HTML File to PDF document
• Add headers, footers, and styling
• Add a watermark and more functions

Overview

About Aspose PDF API

Aspose API provider is a file format component provider company. The specialized component Aspose PDF DLL is used to deal with PDF files. It allows developers to create and set the properties of PDF documents programmatically. We can also use it to add Watermarks, Text Stamps, Bookmarks, and compress PDF files.

About IronPDF

IronPDF C# Library is provided by Iron Software for generating, editing, and manipulating PDF files in .NET projects. It is known well becuase it requires only a few lines of code with a simple programming structure to get the required PDF files. By using it, we can easily generate PDF files from many sources (such as HTML String, HTML Files, or URLs), and then set its properties (such as Page Number, Headers, Page Margins or Watermarks and more).

1. Aspose PDF Licensing and Pricing

When we need to purchase APIs for our project, pricing and licensing packages can play a very important role in the selection.

Here we compare the main 4 perpetual licenses provided by Aspose PDF to their IronPDF counterparts.

While Aspose offers multiple tiers of support pricing, IronPDF offers more affordable licenses, customizable options, and free support for all coverage.

Aspose PDF Supported Platforms

Let's look at the supported framework and platforms of Aspose.PDF.

Aspose PDF Supported Frameworks

• .NET Framework 2.0 or above
• .NET Core 2.0
• .NET Core 2.1

Aspose PDF Supported Platforms

• Windows
• MacOS
• Linux
• Azure

Aspose PDF Dependencies

If we want to use the Aspose.PDF component in our project, then we need to make sure that we fulfill the dependencies in our Visual Studio Project:

Aspose PDF for .NET Framework 4.0

• No dependencies.

Aspose PDF For .NET Standard 2.0

• Microsoft.Extensions.DependencyModel (>= 2.0.4)
• System.Diagnostics.PerformanceCounter (>= 4.5.0)
• System.Drawing.Common (>= 4.7.0)
• System.Reflection.Emit (>= 4.7.0)
• System.Security.Cryptography.Pkcs (>= 4.7.0)
• System.Security.Permissions (>= 4.5.0)
• System.Text.Encoding.CodePages (>= 4.5.0)

Aspose PDF For .NET Standard 2.1

• Microsoft.Extensions.DependencyModel (>= 2.0.4)
• System.Diagnostics.PerformanceCounter (>= 4.5.0)
• System.Drawing.Common (>= 4.7.0)
• System.Security.Cryptography.Pkcs (>= 4.7.0)
• System.Security.Permissions (>= 4.5.0)
• System.Text.Encoding.CodePages (>= 4.5.0)

IronPDF Supported Platforms

.Net framework 4.0 or above for

• Windows
• Azure

.NET Standard 2.0 & Core 2 & 3 for

• Windows
• MacOS
• Linux
• Azure

Cloud hosting services included

• Microsoft Azure
• Docker
• AWS

IronPDF can be used with:

• ASP.Net MVC Application
• ASP.Net Web Forms Application
• Console Application
• Cloud Application
• Service
• Function
• Desktop Application.

IronPDF Dependencies

IronPDFPDF for .NET Framework 4.0

• Iron.Assets.Rendering.Windows (>= 20.0.0)

IronPDFPDF for .NET Standard 2.0 or above

• Iron.Assets.Rendering.Universal (>= 20.0.0)
• System.Drawing.Common (>= 4.7.0)

Step 1: Installation

Aspose PDF Download

There are two possible ways that we can use Aspose.PDF components in our project, and there is no difference whichever one you choose.

Aspose.PDF Download via NuGet Package

Open the NuGet Package Manager of your project in Visual Studio and browse Aspose.Pdf, then install it.

PM > Install-Package Aspose.Pdf

Install with Aspose.PDF.dll

You can also download Aspose.PDF.dll and extract the downloaded file. It will create some folder and files.

• Go to Bin folder
• Go to the required .Net Framework folder, which includes Aspose.PDF.dll.
• Add the reference of this file in your Visual Studio project.

Now, you can use Aspose.PDF functions and classes using Aspose.Pdf namespace.

Install IronPDF

We can also install IronPDF in our project using two different ways.

Install IronPDF with NuGet

The easiest technique is to add IronPDF in the project.

• Go to NuGet Package Manager in Visual Studio project and browse IronPDF
• Install IronPDF

PM > Install-Package IronPdf

Download IronPDF.dll

Another option is to download IronPDF.dll, then add its reference to the project. After this, we can use IronPDF classes and provided functions from the using IronPdf namespace.

How To Tutorials

2. HTML String to PDF

Let's take the first major use case: that we want to create a PDF file by HTML string and save it in the target location. Let's compare the code required and start with IronPDF.

2.1. IronPDF Convert HTML String to PDF

using IronPdf;
static void Main(string[] args)
{
    //Create rendering converter
    var converter = new HtmlToPdf();
    //HTML text
    string HTML = "<h1>Hello IronPDF!</h1> <h2>Welcome to PDF File</h2> ";
    //Convert HTML string to PDF file
    var PDF = converter.RenderHtmlAsPdf(HTML);
    //Save the file
    PDF.SaveAs("Sample.pdf");
    Console.WriteLine("PDF File Successfully Created....");
    Console.ReadKey();
}

using IronPdf;
static void Main(string[] args)
{
    //Create rendering converter
    var converter = new HtmlToPdf();
    //HTML text
    string HTML = "<h1>Hello IronPDF!</h1> <h2>Welcome to PDF File</h2> ";
    //Convert HTML string to PDF file
    var PDF = converter.RenderHtmlAsPdf(HTML);
    //Save the file
    PDF.SaveAs("Sample.pdf");
    Console.WriteLine("PDF File Successfully Created....");
    Console.ReadKey();
}

Imports IronPdf
Shared Sub Main(ByVal args() As String)
	'Create rendering converter
	Dim converter = New HtmlToPdf()
	'HTML text
	Dim HTML As String = "<h1>Hello IronPDF!</h1> <h2>Welcome to PDF File</h2> "
	'Convert HTML string to PDF file
	Dim PDF = converter.RenderHtmlAsPdf(HTML)
	'Save the file
	PDF.SaveAs("Sample.pdf")
	Console.WriteLine("PDF File Successfully Created....")
	Console.ReadKey()
End Sub

The above code will create a PDF file Sample.pdf and save it in the target location.

Note:

• If you do not give the full path and just give the file name as we do in the above example, then the PDF file will be created in the bin\Debug folder of your project.
• In the case that you want to generate the Sample.pdf file in Local Disk E then you can write: PDF.SaveAs("E:\\Sample.pdf");

Read more about how to create PDF from HTML and working with PDF files using IronPDF.

2.2. Aspose PDF Convert HTML String to PDF

using Aspose.Pdf;
static void Main(string[] args)
{
    //Create new document object
    Document doc = new Document();
    //Add a page in document object
    Page page = doc.Pages.Add();
    //Generate HTML String
    string HtmlStr = "<h1>Hello Aspose.PDF!</h1> <h2>Welcome to PDF File</h2> ";
    //Create html fragment by above HTML string
    HtmlFragment HtmlFrg= new HtmlFragment(HtmlStr);
    //Add html fragment as paragraph in document page
    page.Paragraphs.Add(HtmlFrg);        
    //Save the file on target location
    doc.Save("Sample.pdf");
    Console.WriteLine("PDF File Successfully Created....");
    Console.ReadKey();
}

using Aspose.Pdf;
static void Main(string[] args)
{
    //Create new document object
    Document doc = new Document();
    //Add a page in document object
    Page page = doc.Pages.Add();
    //Generate HTML String
    string HtmlStr = "<h1>Hello Aspose.PDF!</h1> <h2>Welcome to PDF File</h2> ";
    //Create html fragment by above HTML string
    HtmlFragment HtmlFrg= new HtmlFragment(HtmlStr);
    //Add html fragment as paragraph in document page
    page.Paragraphs.Add(HtmlFrg);        
    //Save the file on target location
    doc.Save("Sample.pdf");
    Console.WriteLine("PDF File Successfully Created....");
    Console.ReadKey();
}

Imports Aspose.Pdf
Shared Sub Main(ByVal args() As String)
	'Create new document object
	Dim doc As New Document()
	'Add a page in document object
	Dim page As Page = doc.Pages.Add()
	'Generate HTML String
	Dim HtmlStr As String = "<h1>Hello Aspose.PDF!</h1> <h2>Welcome to PDF File</h2> "
	'Create html fragment by above HTML string
	Dim HtmlFrg As New HtmlFragment(HtmlStr)
	'Add html fragment as paragraph in document page
	page.Paragraphs.Add(HtmlFrg)
	'Save the file on target location
	doc.Save("Sample.pdf")
	Console.WriteLine("PDF File Successfully Created....")
	Console.ReadKey()
End Sub

The above code will create a new PDF file Sample.pdf, just like we created using IronPDF.

2.3. Difference between Aspose and IronPDF

Using Aspose.PDF, we first need to create a new Page, HtmlFragment, and add it into the page paragraph, and then save it to the target location. IronPDF has no such type of coding structure and provides a way with many fewer lines of code.

Read more about how to Convert PDF with Aspose PDF DLL and working with Aspose.PDF in .NET applications.

3. HTML File to PDF

Now, let's take another use case: create a PDF file from an existing HTML file.

Note: Assume that we have an HTML file MyHtmlFile.html which exists in the bin\Debug folder of the project and we want to create a PDF file from it.

3.1.IronPDF Convert HTML File to PDF

using IronPdf;
static void Main(string[] args)
{
    //Create HTML to PDF converter
    var converter = new IronPdf.HtmlToPdf();
    //Render HTML file to PDF
    var PDF = converter.RenderHTMLFileAsPdf("MyHtmlFile.html");
    //Save to target location
    PDF.SaveAs("Sample.pdf");
    Console.WriteLine("PDF File Successfully Created....");
    Console.ReadKey();
}

using IronPdf;
static void Main(string[] args)
{
    //Create HTML to PDF converter
    var converter = new IronPdf.HtmlToPdf();
    //Render HTML file to PDF
    var PDF = converter.RenderHTMLFileAsPdf("MyHtmlFile.html");
    //Save to target location
    PDF.SaveAs("Sample.pdf");
    Console.WriteLine("PDF File Successfully Created....");
    Console.ReadKey();
}

Imports IronPdf
Shared Sub Main(ByVal args() As String)
	'Create HTML to PDF converter
	Dim converter = New IronPdf.HtmlToPdf()
	'Render HTML file to PDF
	Dim PDF = converter.RenderHTMLFileAsPdf("MyHtmlFile.html")
	'Save to target location
	PDF.SaveAs("Sample.pdf")
	Console.WriteLine("PDF File Successfully Created....")
	Console.ReadKey()
End Sub

The above code will create a new PDF file Sample.pdf from the MyHtmlFile.html file.

3.2. Aspose PDF Convert HTML File to PDF

using Aspose.Pdf;
static void Main(string[] args)
{
    //create HTML load option object 
    HtmlLoadOptions options = new HtmlLoadOptions();
    //load HTML file in document object
    Document pdfDocument = new Document("MyHtmlFile.html", options);
    //save to the target location
    pdfDocument.Save("Sample.pdf");
    Console.WriteLine("PDF File Successfully Created....");
    Console.ReadKey();
}

using Aspose.Pdf;
static void Main(string[] args)
{
    //create HTML load option object 
    HtmlLoadOptions options = new HtmlLoadOptions();
    //load HTML file in document object
    Document pdfDocument = new Document("MyHtmlFile.html", options);
    //save to the target location
    pdfDocument.Save("Sample.pdf");
    Console.WriteLine("PDF File Successfully Created....");
    Console.ReadKey();
}

Imports Aspose.Pdf
Shared Sub Main(ByVal args() As String)
	'create HTML load option object 
	Dim options As New HtmlLoadOptions()
	'load HTML file in document object
	Dim pdfDocument As New Document("MyHtmlFile.html", options)
	'save to the target location
	pdfDocument.Save("Sample.pdf")
	Console.WriteLine("PDF File Successfully Created....")
	Console.ReadKey()
End Sub

The above code will also create a new PDF file Sample.pdf from MyHtmlFile.html, but here we need to specify HtmlLoadOptions.

4. Work with Headers and Footers

It is a common requirement that we need to add Headers and Footers on PDF pages for different purposes such as including the document name, page numbers, references, date and time, or other similar functions. Both components provide different types of functions to accomplish these:

4.1. IronPDF Headers and Footers Functions

IronPDF has the following properties by which we can easily set Headers and Footers of newly created PDF file pages.

• LeftText to write text on the left side of the Header or Footer.
• RightText to write text on the right side of the Header or Footer.
• CenterText to write text in the center of the Header or Footer.
• FontSize to specify the font size of the text of the Header of Footer.
• FontFamily to specify the font family of the Header or Footer.
• DrawDividerLine to draw a line that separates page content and the Header or Footer.
• Spacing to specify the space between page content and the Header or Footer.

The following example showcases how to use the above properties.

using IronPdf;
static void Main(string[] args)
{
    //Create HTML to PDF converter
    var converter = new IronPdf.HtmlToPdf();
    //Add Header
    converter.PrintOptions.Header = new SimpleHeaderFooter()
    {
        LeftText = "Header Text",
        RightText = "{date} {time}",
    };
    //Add Footer
    converter.PrintOptions.Footer = new SimpleHeaderFooter()
    {
        RightText = "Footer Text"
     };
    //Add Page Content
    var PDF = converter.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<h1>Page Content</h2>");
    //save to target location
    PDF.SaveAs("Sample.pdf");
    Console.WriteLine("PDF File Successfully Created....");
    Console.ReadKey();
}

using IronPdf;
static void Main(string[] args)
{
    //Create HTML to PDF converter
    var converter = new IronPdf.HtmlToPdf();
    //Add Header
    converter.PrintOptions.Header = new SimpleHeaderFooter()
    {
        LeftText = "Header Text",
        RightText = "{date} {time}",
    };
    //Add Footer
    converter.PrintOptions.Footer = new SimpleHeaderFooter()
    {
        RightText = "Footer Text"
     };
    //Add Page Content
    var PDF = converter.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<h1>Page Content</h2>");
    //save to target location
    PDF.SaveAs("Sample.pdf");
    Console.WriteLine("PDF File Successfully Created....");
    Console.ReadKey();
}

Imports IronPdf
Shared Sub Main(ByVal args() As String)
	'Create HTML to PDF converter
	Dim converter = New IronPdf.HtmlToPdf()
	'Add Header
	converter.PrintOptions.Header = New SimpleHeaderFooter() With {
		.LeftText = "Header Text",
		.RightText = "{date} {time}"
	}
	'Add Footer
	converter.PrintOptions.Footer = New SimpleHeaderFooter() With {.RightText = "Footer Text"}
	'Add Page Content
	Dim PDF = converter.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<h1>Page Content</h2>")
	'save to target location
	PDF.SaveAs("Sample.pdf")
	Console.WriteLine("PDF File Successfully Created....")
	Console.ReadKey()
End Sub

The above code will create a PDF file, Sample.pdf, and print Header Text on the left side of the Header, Date Time on the right side of the Header, and Footer Text on the right side of the Footer.

Read more about how to [Add Header and Footers in an HTML to PDF conversion]](https://ironpdf.com/tutorials/html-to-pdf/) with full list of functions provided by IronPDF.

4.2. Aspose PDF Headers and Footers Functions

To deal with Headers and Footers, Aspose.PDF introduced the TextStamp class. By using it, we can easily add Headers and Footers on PDF file pages and set their properties. There are many subclasses of TextStamp, but here we will discuss the basic three classes and their properties which are commonly used in our daily work.

VerticalAlignment (used to set the vertical alignment of TextStamp and has the following properties)

• None for no vertical alignment.
• Top sets the vertical alignment to the top.
• Center sets vertical alignment in the center.
• Bottom sets vertical alignment the bottom.

HorizontalAlignment (used to set the horizontal alignment of TextStamp and has the following properties)

• None for no horizontal alignment.
• Left sets horizontal alignment to left.
• Right sets horizontal alignment to right.
• Center sets horizontal alignment in the center.
• Justify Text will be aligned on both left and right margins.
• FullJustify all lines will be left-aligned and right-aligned

TextState (used to set the properties of the text, and has some basic properties)

• Font sets the font of the text
• FontStyles sets the font style of the text.
• FontSize sets the font size of the text.
• Color sets the color of the text.
• Underline sets the underline for the text.
• StrikeOut sets the strikeout style for the text.

See the following example for how to use the above properties to set Header and Footer.

using Aspose.Pdf;
static void Main(string[] args)
{
    Document doc = new Document();
    Page page = doc.Pages.Add();
    HtmlFragment html = new HtmlFragment("<h1>Page Content</h2>");
    page.Paragraphs.Add(html);

    //Add Header text
    TextStamp title = new TextStamp("Header Text");
    title.VerticalAlignment = VerticalAlignment.Top;
    title.HorizontalAlignment = HorizontalAlignment.Left;
    title.TextState.FontSize = 20;
    doc.Pages[1].AddStamp(title);

    //Add Header Datetime
    TextStamp datetime = new TextStamp(System.DateTime.Now.ToString());
    datetime.VerticalAlignment = VerticalAlignment.Top;
    datetime.HorizontalAlignment = HorizontalAlignment.Right;
    datetime.TextState.FontSize = 20;
    doc.Pages[1].AddStamp(datetime);

    //Add Footer text
    TextStamp footer = new TextStamp("Footer Text");
    footer.VerticalAlignment = VerticalAlignment.Bottom;
    footer.HorizontalAlignment = HorizontalAlignment.Right;
    footer.TextState.FontSize = 20;
    doc.Pages[1].AddStamp(footer);

    doc.Save("Sample.pdf");
    Console.WriteLine("PDF File Successfully Created....");
    Console.ReadKey();
}

using Aspose.Pdf;
static void Main(string[] args)
{
    Document doc = new Document();
    Page page = doc.Pages.Add();
    HtmlFragment html = new HtmlFragment("<h1>Page Content</h2>");
    page.Paragraphs.Add(html);

    //Add Header text
    TextStamp title = new TextStamp("Header Text");
    title.VerticalAlignment = VerticalAlignment.Top;
    title.HorizontalAlignment = HorizontalAlignment.Left;
    title.TextState.FontSize = 20;
    doc.Pages[1].AddStamp(title);

    //Add Header Datetime
    TextStamp datetime = new TextStamp(System.DateTime.Now.ToString());
    datetime.VerticalAlignment = VerticalAlignment.Top;
    datetime.HorizontalAlignment = HorizontalAlignment.Right;
    datetime.TextState.FontSize = 20;
    doc.Pages[1].AddStamp(datetime);

    //Add Footer text
    TextStamp footer = new TextStamp("Footer Text");
    footer.VerticalAlignment = VerticalAlignment.Bottom;
    footer.HorizontalAlignment = HorizontalAlignment.Right;
    footer.TextState.FontSize = 20;
    doc.Pages[1].AddStamp(footer);

    doc.Save("Sample.pdf");
    Console.WriteLine("PDF File Successfully Created....");
    Console.ReadKey();
}

Imports System
Imports Aspose.Pdf
Shared Sub Main(ByVal args() As String)
	Dim doc As New Document()
	Dim page As Page = doc.Pages.Add()
	Dim html As New HtmlFragment("<h1>Page Content</h2>")
	page.Paragraphs.Add(html)

	'Add Header text
	Dim title As New TextStamp("Header Text")
	title.VerticalAlignment = VerticalAlignment.Top
	title.HorizontalAlignment = HorizontalAlignment.Left
	title.TextState.FontSize = 20
	doc.Pages(1).AddStamp(title)

	'Add Header Datetime
	Dim datetime As New TextStamp(DateTime.Now.ToString())
	datetime.VerticalAlignment = VerticalAlignment.Top
	datetime.HorizontalAlignment = HorizontalAlignment.Right
	datetime.TextState.FontSize = 20
	doc.Pages(1).AddStamp(datetime)

	'Add Footer text
	Dim footer As New TextStamp("Footer Text")
	footer.VerticalAlignment = VerticalAlignment.Bottom
	footer.HorizontalAlignment = HorizontalAlignment.Right
	footer.TextState.FontSize = 20
	doc.Pages(1).AddStamp(footer)

	doc.Save("Sample.pdf")
	Console.WriteLine("PDF File Successfully Created....")
	Console.ReadKey()
End Sub

This will create the same PDF file Sample.pdf as we created using IronPDF: Header Text on the left side of the Header, Date Time on the right side of the Header and Footer Text on the right side of page bottom.

You can compare the ease of working with IronPDF and their simple functions to the list provided by Aspose.

Read more about using Aspose Manage Header and Footer of PDF File.

5. Add Page Numbers to PDF File

Let's suppose that we want to create a PDF file from an HTML string, and then add a page number to the Header of the page.

5.1. IronPDF Add Page Numbers to PDF File

using IronPdf;
static void Main(string[] args)
{
    //Create HTML to PDF converter
    var converter = new IronPdf.HtmlToPdf();
    //add header
    converter.PrintOptions.Header = new SimpleHeaderFooter()
    {
        RightText = "Page {page} of {total-pages}",           
    };
    //Source HTML string
    string html = "<h1 style='text-align:center'>Welcome To IronPdf</h1>";
    //Convert string to PDF file
    var PDF = converter.RenderHtmlAsPdf(html);
    //Save to target location
    PDF.SaveAs("Sample.pdf");
    Console.WriteLine("successfully created..!");
}

using IronPdf;
static void Main(string[] args)
{
    //Create HTML to PDF converter
    var converter = new IronPdf.HtmlToPdf();
    //add header
    converter.PrintOptions.Header = new SimpleHeaderFooter()
    {
        RightText = "Page {page} of {total-pages}",           
    };
    //Source HTML string
    string html = "<h1 style='text-align:center'>Welcome To IronPdf</h1>";
    //Convert string to PDF file
    var PDF = converter.RenderHtmlAsPdf(html);
    //Save to target location
    PDF.SaveAs("Sample.pdf");
    Console.WriteLine("successfully created..!");
}

Imports IronPdf
Shared Sub Main(ByVal args() As String)
	'Create HTML to PDF converter
	Dim converter = New IronPdf.HtmlToPdf()
	'add header
	converter.PrintOptions.Header = New SimpleHeaderFooter() With {.RightText = "Page {page} of {total-pages}"}
	'Source HTML string
	Dim html As String = "<h1 style='text-align:center'>Welcome To IronPdf</h1>"
	'Convert string to PDF file
	Dim PDF = converter.RenderHtmlAsPdf(html)
	'Save to target location
	PDF.SaveAs("Sample.pdf")
	Console.WriteLine("successfully created..!")
End Sub

The above code will create a PDF file Sample.pdf, insert the HTML data, and add the Page Number in the page Header.

Output: Here's a screenshot of our newly created sample.pdf file.

5.2. Aspose PDF Add Page Numbers to PDF File

Aspose.PDF does not provide the predefined function to set Headers and Footers, unlike IronPDF. Using Aspose.PDF, we would need to work with PageNumberStamp and set its alignment for the Header and Footer on the PDF page. See the example below.

using Aspose.Pdf;
static void Main(string[] args)
{
    //Create new document
    Document doc = new Document();
    //New new page of document
    Page page = doc.Pages.Add();
    //Source HTML string
    string html = "<h1 style='text-align:center'>Welcome To Aspose.PDF</h1>";
    //Create HTML fragment for source string
    HtmlFragment frag = new HtmlFragment(html);
    //Add fragment as page paragraph
    page.Paragraphs.Add(frag);
    //Create PageNumberStamp
    PageNumberStamp pageNumberStamp = new PageNumberStamp();
    //Setting its txt to print
    pageNumberStamp.Format = "Page # of " + doc.Pages.Count;
    pageNumberStamp.VerticalAlignment = VerticalAlignment.Top;
    pageNumberStamp.HorizontalAlignment = HorizontalAlignment.Right;
    // Add PageNumberStamp to page
    page.AddStamp(pageNumberStamp);
    //Save document to the target location
    doc.Save("sample.pdf");
    Console.WriteLine("PDF File Successfully Created....");
    Console.ReadKey();
}

using Aspose.Pdf;
static void Main(string[] args)
{
    //Create new document
    Document doc = new Document();
    //New new page of document
    Page page = doc.Pages.Add();
    //Source HTML string
    string html = "<h1 style='text-align:center'>Welcome To Aspose.PDF</h1>";
    //Create HTML fragment for source string
    HtmlFragment frag = new HtmlFragment(html);
    //Add fragment as page paragraph
    page.Paragraphs.Add(frag);
    //Create PageNumberStamp
    PageNumberStamp pageNumberStamp = new PageNumberStamp();
    //Setting its txt to print
    pageNumberStamp.Format = "Page # of " + doc.Pages.Count;
    pageNumberStamp.VerticalAlignment = VerticalAlignment.Top;
    pageNumberStamp.HorizontalAlignment = HorizontalAlignment.Right;
    // Add PageNumberStamp to page
    page.AddStamp(pageNumberStamp);
    //Save document to the target location
    doc.Save("sample.pdf");
    Console.WriteLine("PDF File Successfully Created....");
    Console.ReadKey();
}

Imports Aspose.Pdf
Shared Sub Main(ByVal args() As String)
	'Create new document
	Dim doc As New Document()
	'New new page of document
	Dim page As Page = doc.Pages.Add()
	'Source HTML string
	Dim html As String = "<h1 style='text-align:center'>Welcome To Aspose.PDF</h1>"
	'Create HTML fragment for source string
	Dim frag As New HtmlFragment(html)
	'Add fragment as page paragraph
	page.Paragraphs.Add(frag)
	'Create PageNumberStamp
	Dim pageNumberStamp As New PageNumberStamp()
	'Setting its txt to print
	pageNumberStamp.Format = "Page # of " & doc.Pages.Count
	pageNumberStamp.VerticalAlignment = VerticalAlignment.Top
	pageNumberStamp.HorizontalAlignment = HorizontalAlignment.Right
	' Add PageNumberStamp to page
	page.AddStamp(pageNumberStamp)
	'Save document to the target location
	doc.Save("sample.pdf")
	Console.WriteLine("PDF File Successfully Created....")
	Console.ReadKey()
End Sub

Output: Here is the screenshot of newly created sample.pdf file.

6. Add Watermarks

We often need to add Watermarks on our PDF file pages for advertisement, security, or copyright issues. Let's create a PDF file from an HTML string, and then add Watermark using both components.

6.1. IronPDF Add Watermark

To add a watermark on the PDF page, IronPDF provides the WatermarkPage class.

WatermarkPage Definition: WatermarkPage (WatermarkText, PageIndex, WaterMarkLocation, Opacity, Rotation, Hyperlink);

• WatermarkText = the actual text written in HTML which displays as Watermark text.
• PageIndex = write the page number as the Watermark.
• Opacity = set the opacity of the Watermark.
• Rotation = set the rotation of the Watermark content clockwise.
• Hyperlink = hyperlink that the Watermark will link to.
• WaterMarkLocation = set the position of the Watermark, which we can set using the following positions:
  • TopLeft
  • TopCenter
  • TopRight
  • MiddleLeft
  • MiddleCenter
  • MiddleRight
  • BottomLeft
  • BottomCenter
  • BottomRight

Let's see the following example, where we will understand how to use the above functions in our project.

using IronPdf;
static void Main(string[] args)
{
    //Create HTML to PDF converter 
    var converter = new IronPdf.HtmlToPdf();
    //Create source HTML string
    string html = "<h1 style='text-align:center'>Welcome To IronPdf</h1><h2 style='text-align:center'>Page Content</h2>";
    //Add string as PDF file content
    var PDF = converter.RenderHtmlAsPdf(html);
    //Create string for Watermark
    string WMStr = "<h1 style='color:red'>Sample WaterMark</h1>";
    //Add Watermark 
    PDF.WatermarkPage(WMStr, 0, PdfDocument.WaterMarkLocation.MiddleCenter,100,-45, "");
    //save the document
    PDF.SaveAs("sample.pdf");
    Console.WriteLine("successfully created..!");
}

using IronPdf;
static void Main(string[] args)
{
    //Create HTML to PDF converter 
    var converter = new IronPdf.HtmlToPdf();
    //Create source HTML string
    string html = "<h1 style='text-align:center'>Welcome To IronPdf</h1><h2 style='text-align:center'>Page Content</h2>";
    //Add string as PDF file content
    var PDF = converter.RenderHtmlAsPdf(html);
    //Create string for Watermark
    string WMStr = "<h1 style='color:red'>Sample WaterMark</h1>";
    //Add Watermark 
    PDF.WatermarkPage(WMStr, 0, PdfDocument.WaterMarkLocation.MiddleCenter,100,-45, "");
    //save the document
    PDF.SaveAs("sample.pdf");
    Console.WriteLine("successfully created..!");
}

Imports IronPdf
Shared Sub Main(ByVal args() As String)
	'Create HTML to PDF converter 
	Dim converter = New IronPdf.HtmlToPdf()
	'Create source HTML string
	Dim html As String = "<h1 style='text-align:center'>Welcome To IronPdf</h1><h2 style='text-align:center'>Page Content</h2>"
	'Add string as PDF file content
	Dim PDF = converter.RenderHtmlAsPdf(html)
	'Create string for Watermark
	Dim WMStr As String = "<h1 style='color:red'>Sample WaterMark</h1>"
	'Add Watermark 
	PDF.WatermarkPage(WMStr, 0, PdfDocument.WaterMarkLocation.MiddleCenter,100,-45, "")
	'save the document
	PDF.SaveAs("sample.pdf")
	Console.WriteLine("successfully created..!")
End Sub

Output: Here is the screenshot of the newly created sample.pdf file with watermark.

If we want to add a Watermark on multiple pages, but not all, then we can use the WatermarkPages() function as follows:

WatermarkPages(WaterMark Text, new[] { PageIndex 1, PageIndex 2,...., PageIndex N }, WaterMarkLocation, Opacity, rotation)

If we do want to add a Watermark on all pages, then we can use the WatermarkAllPages() function like this:WatermarkAllPages(WaterMark Text,WaterMarkLocation, opacity, rotation);

Read more about how to add a watermark to PDFs.

6.2. Aspose PDF Add Watermark

Aspose.PDF does not provide a special function to add text as a Watermark, unlike IronPDF. Instead, we need to use the TextStamp class. Let's see how that works.

using Aspose.Pdf;
using Aspose.Pdf.Text;
static void Main(string[] args)
{
    //create new document
    Document pdfDocument = new Document();
    //add new page to document
    Page page = pdfDocument.Pages.Add();
    //source HTML string
    string HtmlStr = "<h1 style='text-align:center'>Welcome To Aspose.PDF</h1><h2 style='text-align:center'>Page Content</h2>";
    //create HTML fragment by source HTML string
    HtmlFragment HtmlFrg = new HtmlFragment(HtmlStr);   
    //add HTML fragment as page paragraph
    page.Paragraphs.Add(HtmlFrg);
    //Watermark string
    string WMStr = "Sample WaterMark";
    //create TextStamp of above string
    TextStamp textStamp = new TextStamp(WMStr);
    //setting TextStamp properties
    textStamp.HorizontalAlignment = HorizontalAlignment.Center;
    textStamp.VerticalAlignment = VerticalAlignment.Center;
    textStamp.RotateAngle = 45;
    textStamp.TextState.Font = FontRepository.FindFont("Times New Roman");
    textStamp.TextState.FontSize = 15F;
    textStamp.TextState.FontStyle = FontStyles.Bold;
    textStamp.TextState.ForegroundColor = Aspose.Pdf.Color.FromRgb(System.Drawing.Color.Red);
    //add to the specific page
    pdfDocument.Pages[1].AddStamp(textStamp);
    //save to the target location
    pdfDocument.Save("sample.pdf");
    Console.WriteLine("PDF File Successfully Created....");
    Console.ReadKey();
}

using Aspose.Pdf;
using Aspose.Pdf.Text;
static void Main(string[] args)
{
    //create new document
    Document pdfDocument = new Document();
    //add new page to document
    Page page = pdfDocument.Pages.Add();
    //source HTML string
    string HtmlStr = "<h1 style='text-align:center'>Welcome To Aspose.PDF</h1><h2 style='text-align:center'>Page Content</h2>";
    //create HTML fragment by source HTML string
    HtmlFragment HtmlFrg = new HtmlFragment(HtmlStr);   
    //add HTML fragment as page paragraph
    page.Paragraphs.Add(HtmlFrg);
    //Watermark string
    string WMStr = "Sample WaterMark";
    //create TextStamp of above string
    TextStamp textStamp = new TextStamp(WMStr);
    //setting TextStamp properties
    textStamp.HorizontalAlignment = HorizontalAlignment.Center;
    textStamp.VerticalAlignment = VerticalAlignment.Center;
    textStamp.RotateAngle = 45;
    textStamp.TextState.Font = FontRepository.FindFont("Times New Roman");
    textStamp.TextState.FontSize = 15F;
    textStamp.TextState.FontStyle = FontStyles.Bold;
    textStamp.TextState.ForegroundColor = Aspose.Pdf.Color.FromRgb(System.Drawing.Color.Red);
    //add to the specific page
    pdfDocument.Pages[1].AddStamp(textStamp);
    //save to the target location
    pdfDocument.Save("sample.pdf");
    Console.WriteLine("PDF File Successfully Created....");
    Console.ReadKey();
}

Imports Aspose.Pdf
Imports Aspose.Pdf.Text
Shared Sub Main(ByVal args() As String)
	'create new document
	Dim pdfDocument As New Document()
	'add new page to document
	Dim page As Page = pdfDocument.Pages.Add()
	'source HTML string
	Dim HtmlStr As String = "<h1 style='text-align:center'>Welcome To Aspose.PDF</h1><h2 style='text-align:center'>Page Content</h2>"
	'create HTML fragment by source HTML string
	Dim HtmlFrg As New HtmlFragment(HtmlStr)
	'add HTML fragment as page paragraph
	page.Paragraphs.Add(HtmlFrg)
	'Watermark string
	Dim WMStr As String = "Sample WaterMark"
	'create TextStamp of above string
	Dim textStamp As New TextStamp(WMStr)
	'setting TextStamp properties
	textStamp.HorizontalAlignment = HorizontalAlignment.Center
	textStamp.VerticalAlignment = VerticalAlignment.Center
	textStamp.RotateAngle = 45
	textStamp.TextState.Font = FontRepository.FindFont("Times New Roman")
	textStamp.TextState.FontSize = 15F
	textStamp.TextState.FontStyle = FontStyles.Bold
	textStamp.TextState.ForegroundColor = Aspose.Pdf.Color.FromRgb(System.Drawing.Color.Red)
	'add to the specific page
	pdfDocument.Pages(1).AddStamp(textStamp)
	'save to the target location
	pdfDocument.Save("sample.pdf")
	Console.WriteLine("PDF File Successfully Created....")
	Console.ReadKey()
End Sub

Output: And here is the screenshot of the stamped sample.pdf file.

Read more about using Aspose PDF add stamp and watermark in your files and projects.

6.3. Difference between Aspose and IronPDF Watermarking

When talking about Watermarks on selected pages or multiple pages, there are no specified functions when using Aspose.PDF. But we can do it using page iteration of a PDF file with For Loop, While Loop, or ForEach Loop etc. This does create bulky code and requires us to add different conditions if we want to add a Watermark only on select pages.

Licensing and Pricing

7. Compare License Options

As developers, we all want to complete our projects with minimal cost and resources, and budget can be espeically important. Review the chart to compare what license is right for your needs and budget.

IronPDF offers licenses with a customizable # of developers, projects, and locations so you can meet the needs of your project and pay only for the coverage you need. Check out the HTML to PDF licenses or contact the support team to get a custom quote and free 30 day deployment trial.

Summary

8. Aspose PDF and IronPDF Takeaways

More from Aspose

9. Aspose Components Overview

Aspose provides a range of components to suit your project needs. See the full list below and compare to other IronPDF products for competitive pricing and clear & condensed code functions.

Tutorial Quick Access

Explore the IronPDF Object Reference

Explore the Object Reference for IronPDF C# Library, including details of all of IronPDF’s features, classes, method fields, namespaces, and enums.

View the Object Reference

Ubaid

Ubaid is a full-stack developer. He has spent many years in ERP development using different technologies and platforms. He evaluated many market-leading products and found the best Iron product from all.