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A comparison between IronPDF and Apache PDFBox for HTML to PDF in Java

In this tutorial, we delve into comparing two renowned Java libraries, IronPDF and Apache PDFBox, for HTML to PDF conversion. The process begins with setting up a Maven project and integrating Apache PDFBox by adding its dependency to the pom.xml file. The tutorial walks through the code in the app.java file, illustrating how to create a basic PDF document. The process involves creating a new PDPage, adding content using a PDPageContentStream, and saving the document. Although effective, this method requires numerous lines of code.

The comparisn highlights that while Apache PDFBox is robust, it demands more coding effort. Conversely, IronPDF offers a more seamless and straightforward approach, making it suitable for projects requiring efficient HTML to PDF conversions. This tutorial provides insights into selecting the right library based on your project's complexity and requirements. To stay updated on more tutorials from Iron Software, subscribing is recommended.

Further Reading: A comparison between IronPDF and Apache PDFBox for HTML to PDF in Java

Darrius Serrant
Full Stack Software Engineer (WebOps)

Darrius Serrant holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Miami and works as a Full Stack WebOps Marketing Engineer at Iron Software. Drawn to coding from a young age, he saw computing as both mysterious and accessible, making it the perfect medium for creativity and problem-solving.

At Iron Software, Darrius enjoys creating new things and simplifying complex concepts to make them more understandable. As one of our resident developers, he has also volunteered to teach students, sharing his expertise with the next generation.

For Darrius, his work is fulfilling because it is valued and has a real impact.

Install with Maven

Version: 2025.6.5

<dependency>
  <groupId>com.ironsoftware</groupId>
  <artifactId>ironpdf</artifactId>
  <version>2025.6.5</version>
</dependency>

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