IronPDF Advanced Installation
Starting from version 2022.1 and above, users have some advanced tools to install IronPDF for specific platforms.
Instead of installing the IronPDF NuGet Package, we can search NuGet for other IronPDF packages specific to your use case. The API remains the same, but they deploy differently.
Interestingly, even if we load a specific package such as IronPdf.Linux for a Linux-optimized deployment, you can still develop for it on your normal OS such as Windows with Visual Studio!
IronPDF NuGet Package
Most commonly used. Configured to get you up and running in Visual Studio as quickly as possible. Suitable for most projects.
- Contains IronPdf.Slim
- Contains Windows-specific dependencies for Chrome (default) renderer
- Default package which will download Windows-specific dependencies at runtime
- Defaults to Chrome renderer
- Supports ALL platforms, but Windows platform will work without any additional downloads
- Useful for Windows users or default users
- OK TO USE ON ALL PLATFORMS
IronPdf.Slim NuGet Package
Ideal for the smallest disk footprint or applications which may be distributed to many different operating system targets. The precise Chromium / WebKit rendering engine for your application will be downloaded on demand at runtime on the target machine.
PM > Install-Package IronPdf.Slim
- ALL other packages reference this package
- Contains the actual IronPdf.dll
- Does NOT include Windows, Linux, or macOS specific dependencies
- Windows, Linux, or macOS dependencies will be downloaded at run-time
- Defaults to Chrome renderer on all platforms unless otherwise specified
- Useful for cross-platform solutions which want to download platform-specific dependencies at run-time
- Supports ALL platforms, but platform-specific dependencies will be downloaded the first time the program is run
- Requires internet access and disk access at runtime if used stand-alone.
- Requires the installation of the IronSoftware.Native.PdfModel package.
- Useful for highly portable applications where the target platform is unknown
IronPdf.Linux & IronPdf.Linux.ARM NuGet Packages
Ideal for Deploying IronPDF on Linux. Designed with the cloud in mind. Works very well for AWS & Lambda, Azure Functions and WebApps in Linux mode. For users who are currently running an ARM processor with Linux, IronPDF tailors a specific package for it as well.
PM > Install-Package IronPdf.Linux
PM > Install-Package IronPdf.Linux.ARM
- Contains IronPdf.Slim
- Contains Linux-specific dependencies for Chrome (default) renderer
- Defaults to Chrome renderer
- Supports ALL platforms, but Linux platform will work without any additional downloads
- Useful for Linux power-users, specifically docker and cloud users
IronPdf.MacOs & IronPdf.MacOs.ARM NuGet Packages
NuGet Packages available for specific deployments for IronPDF Compatibility on macOS
PM > Install-Package IronPdf.MacOs
PM > Install-Package IronPdf.MacOs.ARM
- Contains IronPdf.Slim
- Contains Mac-specific dependencies for Chrome (default) renderer
- Defaults to Chrome renderer
- Useful for macOS developers
IronPdf.UpdatedChrome NuGet Package
Users who want to use the latest compatible version of Chromium should install the following package. These are especially useful for those who need support for the most recent Chromium updates.
PM > Install-Package IronPdf.UpdatedChrome
- contains IronPdf.Slim
- contains IronSoftware.Native.PdfModel
- contains IronPdf.Native.UpdatedChrome.Windows
- New settings and security updates.
- May have compatibility issues.
- SingleProcess is not available.
- Windows Server 2012 is not supported.
- 32-bit processes are no longer supported.
IronPdf.UpdatedChrome.Linux & IronPdf.UpdatedChrome.Linux.ARM NuGet Packages
Users who want to use the latest compatible version of Chromium should install the following package. These are especially useful for those who need support for the most recent Chromium updates.
PM > Install-Package IronPdf.UpdatedChrome.Linux
PM > Install-Package IronPdf.UpdatedChrome.Linux.ARM
- contains IronPdf.Slim
- contains IronSoftware.Native.PdfModel
- contains IronPdf.Native.UpdatedChrome.Linux
- New settings and security updates.
- May have compatibility issues.
- SingleProcess is not available.
- 32-bit processes are no longer supported.
IronPdf.UpdatedChrome.MacOs & IronPdf.UpdatedChrome.MacOs.ARM NuGet Package
Users who want to use the latest compatible version of Chromium should install the following packages. These are especially useful for those who need support for the most recent Chromium updates.
PM > Install-Package IronPdf.UpdatedChrome.MacOs
PM > Install-Package IronPdf.UpdatedChrome.MacOs.ARM
- contains IronPdf.Slim
- contains IronSoftware.Native.Model
- contains IronPdf.Native.UpdatedChrome.MacOS or contains IronPdf.Native.UpdatedChrome.MacOS.ARM
- New settings and security updates.
- May have a compatibility issues.
- SingleProcess is not available.
- 32-bit processes are no longer supported.
IronPdf.Classic NuGet Package
Useful for Legacy customers using IronPDF before August 2021 who wish their existing HtmlToPdf rendering to go unchanged. Uses our 2020-2021 WebKit renderer.
PM > Install-Package IronPdf.Classic
- Contains IronPdf.Slim and IronPdf.Native.WebKit.
- Contains Windows, Linux, and Mac dependencies for the (legacy) WebKit "HTML to PDF" renderer
- Will use legacy WebKit renderer by default
If you would like to use the newer version of Chromium, please refer to the following troubleshooting article: IronPdf.Native.UpdatedChrome.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary benefit of using the IronPdf NuGet Package?
The IronPdf NuGet Package is configured to get you up and running quickly in Visual Studio, with support for all platforms but optimized for Windows, where it works without additional downloads.
How does the IronPdf.Slim package differ from the standard IronPdf NuGet Package?
The IronPdf.Slim package is optimized for a small disk footprint and supports all platforms by downloading platform-specific dependencies on-demand during runtime, making it ideal for cross-platform solutions.
Why would you choose IronPdf.Linux or IronPdf.Linux.ARM for deployment?
IronPdf.Linux and IronPdf.Linux.ARM packages are tailored for Linux environments, especially for cloud services like AWS, Azure, and Linux operating systems, providing Linux-specific dependencies.
What is the purpose of IronPdf.MacOs and IronPdf.MacOs.ARM packages?
These packages provide MacOS-specific dependencies and are ideal for macOS developers who need Chrome rendering capabilities optimized for their platform.
When should developers use IronPdf.UpdatedChrome packages?
Developers should use the IronPdf.UpdatedChrome packages if they need the latest Chromium updates and security features, although there may be compatibility considerations.
What should legacy users consider when using IronPdf.Classic?
Legacy users who want to maintain their established HTML to PDF rendering from before August 2021 should use IronPdf.Classic, as it employs the WebKit renderer from that period.
Are there any platform dependency considerations with IronPdf.Slim?
Yes, while IronPdf.Slim supports all platforms, it requires internet access to download platform-specific dependencies during the first runtime if used independently.
What are the limitations of using the IronPdf.UpdatedChrome on Windows?
IronPdf.UpdatedChrome on Windows does not support Windows Server 2012, 32-bit processes, or SingleProcess mode, which need to be considered before installation.
How can IronPDF be utilized in Docker environments?
IronPDF can be utilized in Docker environments by using the Linux-specific packages like IronPdf.Linux and IronPdf.Linux.ARM, which are designed with cloud and container usage in mind.
Why might developers need the IronSoftware.Native.PdfModel package with IronPdf.Slim?
The IronSoftware.Native.PdfModel package is required with IronPdf.Slim to support its runtime functionality across different platforms, ensuring the necessary core features are present.

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.