產品比較

ActivePDF vs IronPDF：HTML到PDF教程和全面對比

Q: 如何使用 C# 將 HTML 轉換為 PDF？

您可以使用 IronPDF 的 RenderHtmlAsPdf 方法快速將 HTML 字串轉換為 PDF。對於基於文件的轉換，可使用 RenderHtmlFileAsPdf 方法，兩者都提供高保真，支持 CSS3 和 JavaScript。

Q: 我可以用 IronPDF 自動批量 PDF 處理嗎？

可以，IronPDF 通過 async/await 模式支持批量處理，允許您使用如 RenderHtmlFileAsPdfAsync 等方法同時處理多個 PDF 轉換。

Q: IronPDF 如何在 PDF 中處理數字簽名？

IronPDF 提供了一個 PdfSignature 類，用於在 PDF 文檔中添加數字簽名。它支持基於證書的簽名，並允許自定義簽名的外觀和元數據。

Q: 如何使用 IronPDF 向 PDF 添加標題和頁腳？

IronPDF 提供 TextHeaderFooter 和 HtmlHeaderFooter 類，允許您使用簡單文本和複雜的 HTML/CSS 佈局添加標題和頁腳。

Q: 在 PDF 轉換過程中是否支持 JavaScript 執行？

是的，IronPDF 在渲染 PDF 之前完全執行 JavaScript，並有選項通過 WaitFor.JavaScript() 和 RenderDelay() 控制時機，確保完整和準確的轉換。

Jacob Mellor

更新日期:8月 5, 2025

How do IronPDF and ActivePDF compare for PDF generation in .NET?

When developers need robust PDF generation capabilities in their .NET applications, two prominent solutions often emerge: IronPDF and ActivePDF. Both libraries offer powerful features for creating, converting, and manipulating PDF documents, but they differ significantly in their approach, pricing, and implementation complexity.

IronPDF stands out with its intuitive API design and comprehensive HTML-to-PDF conversion using a Chrome rendering engine, while ActivePDF provides enterprise-focused solutions through multiple specialized components like WebGrabber for HTML conversion and DocConverter for document transformation. This article provides an in-depth comparison to help you make an informed decision for your PDF processing needs.

Product Comparison Overview

Comparison of IronPDF and ActivePDF for .NET Development

Category	Feature/Aspect	IronPDF	ActivePDF	Key Advantage
Core Architecture	Design Philosophy	All-in-one library, developer-friendly	Modular components, enterprise-focused	IronPDF: Simpler integration
	API Complexity	Intuitive methods like `RenderHtmlAsPdf()`	Component-specific APIs	IronPDF: Fewer lines of code
	Learning Curve	1-2 days typical	1-2 weeks typical	IronPDF: Faster adoption
Platform Support	Cross-Platform	Windows, Linux, macOS, Docker	Windows Server primarily	IronPDF: True cross-platform
	.NET Versions	.NET 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, Core, Framework 4.6.2+	.NET Framework 4.5+, Core 1.0, Standard 1.0	IronPDF: Modern .NET support
	Cloud Platforms	Azure, AWS, Google Cloud optimized	Limited cloud support	IronPDF: Cloud-native ready
HTML to PDF	Rendering Engine	Chrome V8 engine	Native and IE engines	IronPDF: Modern rendering
	CSS3/HTML5 Support	Full support	Partial support	IronPDF: Modern web standards
	JavaScript Execution	Full JavaScript support	Limited JavaScript support	IronPDF: Dynamic content
	Web Fonts	Google Fonts, system fonts	System fonts only	IronPDF: Typography flexibility
Document Conversion	Supported Formats	HTML, DOCX, Images, RTF, MD	300+ formats (DocConverter)	ActivePDF: More formats
	DOCX to PDF	Built-in `DocxToPdfRenderer`	Native Office conversion	ActivePDF: Better fidelity
	Batch Processing	Programmatic approach	Watched folders support	ActivePDF: Enterprise automation
Performance	HTML Rendering Speed	125ms typical, 835ms complex	Variable by engine	IronPDF: Consistent performance
	Memory Usage	Under 10MB typical	Service-based overhead	IronPDF: Lower footprint
	Threading Support	Native async/await optimized	Multi-threaded service	IronPDF: Better .NET integration
PDF Features	Form Handling	Create, fill, flatten forms	Advanced form features (Toolkit)	ActivePDF: Complex forms
	PDF/A Compliance	PDF/A-3B support	Multiple PDF/A levels	ActivePDF: More compliance options
	OCR Capabilities	Via IronOCR integration	Dedicated OCR component	Both: Available solutions
	Digital Signatures	Integrated, visual signatures	Advanced signature options	ActivePDF: Enterprise signatures
Developer Experience	Documentation	Comprehensive tutorials, examples	Traditional API docs	IronPDF: Better learning resources
	Code Examples	100+ ready-to-run samples	Basic examples on GitHub	IronPDF: Extensive resources
	Error Messages	Descriptive, actionable	Service-level messages	IronPDF: Better debugging
Licensing & Pricing	Entry Level	Lite: $799 (1 dev, 1 project)	WebGrabber: $2,499+ per component	IronPDF: 70% lower entry
	Team License	Professional: $2,399 (10 devs)	Multiple components needed	IronPDF: All-inclusive
	Suite Option	Iron Suite: $1,498 (9 products)	No suite option	IronPDF: Exceptional value
Support	Support Included	Yes, 24/5 engineering support	Support portal access	IronPDF: Direct engineering support
	Response Time	24-48 hours typical	Varies by issue	IronPDF: Predictable SLA
Best For	Use Cases	Modern web apps, rapid development	Enterprise automation, legacy systems	Context-dependent
	Project Types	SaaS, web apps, microservices	Document management, batch processing	Based on requirements

Note. Comparison based on current versions as of 2025. ActivePDF offers modular components for specific enterprise needs, while IronPDF provides an integrated solution. Pricing varies significantly based on component selection for ActivePDF.

Compare IronPDF to ActivePDF Components

Get the IronPDF C# PDF Library
Compare IronPDF and ActivePDF Features
Compare code for URL to PDF
Compare code for HTML string to PDF
Compare licensing, free software options, and more

class="tutorial-segment-title">概述

About the IronPDF C# Library

Iron Software is a market-leading component provider offering IronPDF for comprehensive PDF manipulation. IronPDF provides an all-inclusive solution for generating PDF files from various formats while offering complete programmatic control over document properties. Developers favor IronPDF for its consistent, reliable output and intuitive API that requires minimal code.

IronPDF supports C#, VB.NET, ASP.NET, MVC, .NET Core, .NET 9, and .NET 10. It runs seamlessly on Windows, Linux, macOS, Docker, Azure, AWS, and other cloud platforms.

About ActivePDF Components

ActivePDF (now part of Apryse) provides enterprise-focused PDF solutions through multiple specialized components. Unlike IronPDF's unified approach, ActivePDF offers separate products for different PDF tasks:

ActivePDF WebGrabber for HTML to PDF Conversion

ActivePDF WebGrabber is specifically designed to convert HTML sources (URLs, HTML files, or HTML strings) to PDF format. It provides configuration options for page properties including headers, footers, margins, watermarks, and bookmarks. WebGrabber supports both Native and Internet Explorer rendering engines.

ActivePDF DocConverter for Document Transformation

ActivePDF DocConverter handles conversion of over 300 file formats to PDF, including Microsoft Office documents, images, CAD files, and more. It features watched folder automation, batch processing capabilities, and enterprise-grade document management features.

Modern CSS Framework Rendering: Bootstrap and Beyond

Contemporary web applications increasingly depend on CSS frameworks like Bootstrap, Foundation, and Tailwind CSS for consistent, responsive UI development. PDF generation libraries must accurately render these frameworks to maintain professional document quality and design fidelity.

IronPDF: Complete Bootstrap and Modern Framework Support

IronPDF's Chromium rendering engine ensures comprehensive support for all modern CSS frameworks and specifications:

Bootstrap 5: Full flexbox and CSS Grid rendering with responsive utilities
Bootstrap 4: Complete card systems, navigation components, and form layouts
Tailwind CSS: All utility-first classes and responsive variants render correctly
Foundation: Complete grid and component system support
Modern CSS3: Flexbox, CSS Grid, custom properties, animations, transitions, and transforms
JavaScript Execution: Full support for dynamic content and framework interactivity

Validated with production examples: Bootstrap homepage and official templates convert with browser-accurate fidelity.

Code Example: Service Pricing Table with Bootstrap

using IronPdf;

var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();

string bootstrapPricing = @"
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
    <link href='https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/bootstrap@5.3.0/dist/css/bootstrap.min.css' rel='stylesheet'>
</head>
<body>
    <div class='container my-5'>
        <h1 class='text-center mb-5'>Service Plans</h1>

        <div class='row g-4'>
            <div class='col-md-4'>
                <div class='card h-100 shadow-sm'>
                    <div class='card-header bg-light text-center py-3'>
                        <h3>Starter</h3>
                    </div>
                    <div class='card-body d-flex flex-column'>
                        <div class='text-center mb-4'>
                            <span class='h2'>$29</span>
                            <span class='text-muted'>/month</span>
                        </div>
                        <ul class='list-unstyled flex-grow-1'>
                            <li class='mb-2'><i class='bi bi-check-circle text-success'></i> 100 PDF conversions/month</li>
                            <li class='mb-2'><i class='bi bi-check-circle text-success'></i> Basic templates</li>
                            <li class='mb-2'><i class='bi bi-check-circle text-success'></i> Email support</li>
                            <li class='mb-2'><i class='bi bi-check-circle text-success'></i> 5 GB storage</li>
                            <li class='mb-2 text-muted'><i class='bi bi-x-circle'></i> Priority processing</li>
                        </ul>
                        <button class='btn btn-outline-primary w-100 mt-auto'>Get Started</button>
                    </div>
                </div>
            </div>

            <div class='col-md-4'>
                <div class='card h-100 shadow border-primary'>
                    <div class='position-absolute top-0 start-50 translate-middle'>
                        <span class='badge bg-primary'>Most Popular</span>
                    </div>
                    <div class='card-header bg-primary text-white text-center py-3'>
                        <h3>Professional</h3>
                    </div>
                    <div class='card-body d-flex flex-column'>
                        <div class='text-center mb-4'>
                            <span class='h2'>$99</span>
                            <span class='text-muted'>/month</span>
                        </div>
                        <ul class='list-unstyled flex-grow-1'>
                            <li class='mb-2'><i class='bi bi-check-circle text-success'></i> 1,000 PDF conversions/month</li>
                            <li class='mb-2'><i class='bi bi-check-circle text-success'></i> Premium templates</li>
                            <li class='mb-2'><i class='bi bi-check-circle text-success'></i> Priority support</li>
                            <li class='mb-2'><i class='bi bi-check-circle text-success'></i> 50 GB storage</li>
                            <li class='mb-2'><i class='bi bi-check-circle text-success'></i> Priority processing</li>
                        </ul>
                        <button class='btn btn-primary w-100 mt-auto'>Get Started</button>
                    </div>
                </div>
            </div>

            <div class='col-md-4'>
                <div class='card h-100 shadow-sm'>
                    <div class='card-header bg-dark text-white text-center py-3'>
                        <h3>Enterprise</h3>
                    </div>
                    <div class='card-body d-flex flex-column'>
                        <div class='text-center mb-4'>
                            <span class='h2'>$299</span>
                            <span class='text-muted'>/month</span>
                        </div>
                        <ul class='list-unstyled flex-grow-1'>
                            <li class='mb-2'><i class='bi bi-check-circle text-success'></i> Unlimited conversions</li>
                            <li class='mb-2'><i class='bi bi-check-circle text-success'></i> Custom templates</li>
                            <li class='mb-2'><i class='bi bi-check-circle text-success'></i> Dedicated support</li>
                            <li class='mb-2'><i class='bi bi-check-circle text-success'></i> Unlimited storage</li>
                            <li class='mb-2'><i class='bi bi-check-circle text-success'></i> SLA guarantee</li>
                        </ul>
                        <button class='btn btn-dark w-100 mt-auto'>Contact Sales</button>
                    </div>
                </div>
            </div>
        </div>
    </div>
</body>
</html>";

var pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf(bootstrapPricing);
pdf.SaveAs("pricing-table.pdf");

using IronPdf;

var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();

string bootstrapPricing = @"
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
    <link href='https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/bootstrap@5.3.0/dist/css/bootstrap.min.css' rel='stylesheet'>
</head>
<body>
    <div class='container my-5'>
        <h1 class='text-center mb-5'>Service Plans</h1>

        <div class='row g-4'>
            <div class='col-md-4'>
                <div class='card h-100 shadow-sm'>
                    <div class='card-header bg-light text-center py-3'>
                        <h3>Starter</h3>
                    </div>
                    <div class='card-body d-flex flex-column'>
                        <div class='text-center mb-4'>
                            <span class='h2'>$29</span>
                            <span class='text-muted'>/month</span>
                        </div>
                        <ul class='list-unstyled flex-grow-1'>
                            <li class='mb-2'><i class='bi bi-check-circle text-success'></i> 100 PDF conversions/month</li>
                            <li class='mb-2'><i class='bi bi-check-circle text-success'></i> Basic templates</li>
                            <li class='mb-2'><i class='bi bi-check-circle text-success'></i> Email support</li>
                            <li class='mb-2'><i class='bi bi-check-circle text-success'></i> 5 GB storage</li>
                            <li class='mb-2 text-muted'><i class='bi bi-x-circle'></i> Priority processing</li>
                        </ul>
                        <button class='btn btn-outline-primary w-100 mt-auto'>Get Started</button>
                    </div>
                </div>
            </div>

            <div class='col-md-4'>
                <div class='card h-100 shadow border-primary'>
                    <div class='position-absolute top-0 start-50 translate-middle'>
                        <span class='badge bg-primary'>Most Popular</span>
                    </div>
                    <div class='card-header bg-primary text-white text-center py-3'>
                        <h3>Professional</h3>
                    </div>
                    <div class='card-body d-flex flex-column'>
                        <div class='text-center mb-4'>
                            <span class='h2'>$99</span>
                            <span class='text-muted'>/month</span>
                        </div>
                        <ul class='list-unstyled flex-grow-1'>
                            <li class='mb-2'><i class='bi bi-check-circle text-success'></i> 1,000 PDF conversions/month</li>
                            <li class='mb-2'><i class='bi bi-check-circle text-success'></i> Premium templates</li>
                            <li class='mb-2'><i class='bi bi-check-circle text-success'></i> Priority support</li>
                            <li class='mb-2'><i class='bi bi-check-circle text-success'></i> 50 GB storage</li>
                            <li class='mb-2'><i class='bi bi-check-circle text-success'></i> Priority processing</li>
                        </ul>
                        <button class='btn btn-primary w-100 mt-auto'>Get Started</button>
                    </div>
                </div>
            </div>

            <div class='col-md-4'>
                <div class='card h-100 shadow-sm'>
                    <div class='card-header bg-dark text-white text-center py-3'>
                        <h3>Enterprise</h3>
                    </div>
                    <div class='card-body d-flex flex-column'>
                        <div class='text-center mb-4'>
                            <span class='h2'>$299</span>
                            <span class='text-muted'>/month</span>
                        </div>
                        <ul class='list-unstyled flex-grow-1'>
                            <li class='mb-2'><i class='bi bi-check-circle text-success'></i> Unlimited conversions</li>
                            <li class='mb-2'><i class='bi bi-check-circle text-success'></i> Custom templates</li>
                            <li class='mb-2'><i class='bi bi-check-circle text-success'></i> Dedicated support</li>
                            <li class='mb-2'><i class='bi bi-check-circle text-success'></i> Unlimited storage</li>
                            <li class='mb-2'><i class='bi bi-check-circle text-success'></i> SLA guarantee</li>
                        </ul>
                        <button class='btn btn-dark w-100 mt-auto'>Contact Sales</button>
                    </div>
                </div>
            </div>
        </div>
    </div>
</body>
</html>";

var pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf(bootstrapPricing);
pdf.SaveAs("pricing-table.pdf");

IRON VB CONVERTER ERROR developers@ironsoftware.com

$vbLabelText $csharpLabel

Output: A professional pricing table with Bootstrap's card grid, flexbox layouts, badge positioning, and responsive utilities—all accurately preserved in the PDF.

ActivePDF WebGrabber: Limited Modern Framework Support

ActivePDF WebGrabber provides HTML-to-PDF conversion but uses older rendering engines with significant limitations for modern CSS frameworks:

Native Engine: Custom rendering with limited CSS3 support
Internet Explorer Engine: Legacy IE rendering, no modern CSS features
No Bootstrap 4/5 Support: Flexbox and CSS Grid features not supported
Bootstrap 3 Limitations: Only table-based layouts work reliably
JavaScript Limitations: Limited JavaScript execution compared to modern browsers
Workarounds Required: Complex Bootstrap components need significant CSS modifications

Common issues reported by developers:

Bootstrap navigation bars rendering with layout problems
Card components with flexbox not displaying correctly
Responsive grid systems breaking in PDF output
Need to simplify or rewrite Bootstrap components for compatibility

Development impact: Applications built with modern Bootstrap versions (4+) require substantial additional work with ActivePDF WebGrabber. Teams must either:

Maintain parallel simplified CSS for PDF generation (double maintenance burden)
Limit web UI to Bootstrap 3 or older (sacrifices modern responsive features)
Manually test and fix each Bootstrap component (time-consuming and error-prone)

For projects heavily invested in Bootstrap or modern CSS frameworks, Active PDF WebGrabber's rendering limitations can significantly increase development costs and reduce design flexibility.

For comprehensive Bootstrap framework compatibility guidance, see the Bootstrap & Flexbox CSS Guide.

Why do developers choose IronPDF over ActivePDF?

IronPDF's rendering speed completes HTML-to-PDF conversion in 835 milliseconds for static sites, offering consistent performance across different content types. The library's memory usage has been optimized to use less than 10MB typically, with 75% reduction in memory usage when rendering headers and footers.

Developers appreciate IronPDF's straightforward API design that enables PDF generation with just three lines of code, compared to ActivePDF's more complex multi-step process. The comprehensive documentation includes over 100 code examples and detailed tutorials, making it easier for teams to get started quickly.

When might ActivePDF be the better choice?

ActivePDF excels in enterprise environments requiring:

Automated batch processing with watched folders
Support for 300+ file format conversions (via DocConverter)
Legacy system integration on Windows Server
Advanced form field manipulation and XFA form support
Multiple PDF/A compliance levels for archival requirements

Organizations with existing ActivePDF infrastructure or specific enterprise workflow requirements may find ActivePDF's modular approach beneficial, despite the higher cost and complexity.

Comparison

1. ActivePDF vs IronPDF Feature Comparison

Which library offers better HTML to PDF conversion capabilities?

IronPDF uses a full Chrome V8 rendering engine, providing 98%+ browser fidelity with complete support for HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, and web fonts. ActivePDF WebGrabber offers both Native and Internet Explorer engines, but with limited JavaScript execution and CSS3 support. The Native Engine doesn't honor CSS stylesheets, and the IE Engine relies on deprecated Internet Explorer 11, which lacks modern web standards.

How do the libraries compare for document format support?

While IronPDF focuses on common formats (HTML, DOCX, Images, RTF, Markdown), ActivePDF DocConverter supports over 300 file formats including CAD files, legacy document formats, and specialized enterprise formats. This makes ActivePDF more suitable for organizations dealing with diverse document types.

What about PDF manipulation features?

Both libraries offer comprehensive PDF manipulation capabilities:

IronPDF provides:

Built-in watermarking with HTML/CSS styling
Simple API for headers/footers with predefined merge fields
One-line methods for common tasks
Integrated form creation and filling
Digital signatures with visual representation

ActivePDF offers:

Advanced form field manipulation (through Toolkit)
More granular control over PDF internals
Enterprise-grade redaction capabilities
Multiple PDF/A compliance levels
Specialized components for specific tasks

class="tutorial-segment-title">步骤 1: 安装

2. How to Install IronPDF

Which installation method should I use for IronPDF?

You can install IronPDF through multiple methods, with NuGet Package Manager being the most convenient:

NuGet Package Manager

Open the NuGet Package Manager in Visual Studio and search for IronPDF:

:InstallCmd

:InstallCmd

SHELL

Download IronPDF.dll manually

Alternatively, download IronPDF.dll and add its reference to your project.

Once installed, verify access by adding:

using IronPdf;

using IronPdf;

Imports IronPdf

$vbLabelText $csharpLabel

IronPDF supports .NET 9 and 10, along with all modern .NET versions including Core, Standard, and Framework 4.6.2+.

How to Install ActivePDF Components

How do I install ActivePDF WebGrabber?

ActivePDF WebGrabber requires a more complex installation process:

Download the installer from the ActivePDF website
Request a license key from ActivePDF sales (evaluation keys available)
Run the installer with administrator privileges
Configure the WebGrabber service during installation
For Windows Server 2012+, create a dedicated user account for the service

After installation, add the WebGrabber reference from: C:\Program Files\ActivePDF\WebGrabber\bin\APWebGrabber.Net45.dll

How do I install ActivePDF DocConverter?

DocConverter follows a similar installation pattern:

Download the DocConverter installer
Install with administrator rights
Configure watched folders if using drag-and-drop conversion
Set up the Configuration Manager for batch processing

Note: ActivePDF components require Windows Server and don't support cross-platform deployment like IronPDF.

How to Tutorials

3. Convert HTML String to PDF File

Let's compare how both libraries handle a common task: converting an HTML string to a PDF file.

3.1. HTML String with IronPDF

/**
 * HTML String to PDF
 * anchor-html-string-with-ironpdf
 **/
using IronPdf;

static void Main(string[] args)
{
    // Create rendering converter
    var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();

    // HTML Source
    string html = "<h1>Hello World!</h1> <h2>Welcome to IronPDF</h2> ";

    // Convert HTML string to PDF file
    var pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf(html);

    // Save the file
    pdf.SaveAs("E:/sample.pdf");
}

/**
 * HTML String to PDF
 * anchor-html-string-with-ironpdf
 **/
using IronPdf;

static void Main(string[] args)
{
    // Create rendering converter
    var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();

    // HTML Source
    string html = "<h1>Hello World!</h1> <h2>Welcome to IronPDF</h2> ";

    // Convert HTML string to PDF file
    var pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf(html);

    // Save the file
    pdf.SaveAs("E:/sample.pdf");
}

'''
''' * HTML String to PDF
''' * anchor-html-string-with-ironpdf
''' *
Imports IronPdf

Shared Sub Main(ByVal args() As String)
	' Create rendering converter
	Dim renderer = New ChromePdfRenderer()

	' HTML Source
	Dim html As String = "<h1>Hello World!</h1> <h2>Welcome to IronPDF</h2> "

	' Convert HTML string to PDF file
	Dim pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf(html)

	' Save the file
	pdf.SaveAs("E:/sample.pdf")
End Sub

$vbLabelText $csharpLabel

Key advantages of IronPDF's approach:

Only 3 lines of code for the conversion
Automatic handling of encoding and rendering
Built-in Chrome engine ensures accurate rendering
No need for separate file path and name configuration

3.2. HTML String with ActivePDF WebGrabber

using APWebGrabber;

static void Main(string[] args)
{
    // Instantiate Object
    WebGrabber wg = new WebGrabber();

    // HTML Source
    string html = "<h1>Hello World!</h1> <h2>Welcome to ActivePDF WebGrabber</h2>";

    // Assign source HTML to WebGrabber
    wg.CreateFromHTMLText = html;

    // Specify file directory
    wg.OutputDirectory = "E:/";

    // File name
    wg.NewDocumentName = "sample.pdf";

    // Convert source HTML to PDF file
    wg.ConvertToPDF();
}

using APWebGrabber;

static void Main(string[] args)
{
    // Instantiate Object
    WebGrabber wg = new WebGrabber();

    // HTML Source
    string html = "<h1>Hello World!</h1> <h2>Welcome to ActivePDF WebGrabber</h2>";

    // Assign source HTML to WebGrabber
    wg.CreateFromHTMLText = html;

    // Specify file directory
    wg.OutputDirectory = "E:/";

    // File name
    wg.NewDocumentName = "sample.pdf";

    // Convert source HTML to PDF file
    wg.ConvertToPDF();
}

Imports APWebGrabber

Shared Sub Main(ByVal args() As String)
	' Instantiate Object
	Dim wg As New WebGrabber()

	' HTML Source
	Dim html As String = "<h1>Hello World!</h1> <h2>Welcome to ActivePDF WebGrabber</h2>"

	' Assign source HTML to WebGrabber
	wg.CreateFromHTMLText = html

	' Specify file directory
	wg.OutputDirectory = "E:/"

	' File name
	wg.NewDocumentName = "sample.pdf"

	' Convert source HTML to PDF file
	wg.ConvertToPDF()
End Sub

$vbLabelText $csharpLabel

3.3. Advanced HTML String Example with Both Libraries

Let's see how both libraries handle more complex HTML with CSS styling:

IronPDF Advanced Example:

using IronPdf;

var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();

// Configure rendering options
renderer.RenderingOptions.CssMediaType = PdfCssMediaType.Print;
renderer.RenderingOptions.PrintHtmlBackgrounds = true;
renderer.RenderingOptions.CreatePdfFormsFromHtml = true;

string advancedHtml = @"
    <html>
    <head>
        <style>
            body { font-family: Arial, sans-serif; }
            .invoice { border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 20px; }
            .header { background-color: #f0f0f0; padding: 10px; }
        </style>
    </head>
    <body>
        <div class='invoice'>
            <div class='header'>
                <h1>Invoice #12345</h1>
            </div>
            <form>
                <input type='text' name='customer' placeholder='Customer Name'>
            </form>
        </div>
    </body>
    </html>";

var pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf(advancedHtml);
pdf.SaveAs("advanced-invoice.pdf");

using IronPdf;

var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();

// Configure rendering options
renderer.RenderingOptions.CssMediaType = PdfCssMediaType.Print;
renderer.RenderingOptions.PrintHtmlBackgrounds = true;
renderer.RenderingOptions.CreatePdfFormsFromHtml = true;

string advancedHtml = @"
    <html>
    <head>
        <style>
            body { font-family: Arial, sans-serif; }
            .invoice { border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 20px; }
            .header { background-color: #f0f0f0; padding: 10px; }
        </style>
    </head>
    <body>
        <div class='invoice'>
            <div class='header'>
                <h1>Invoice #12345</h1>
            </div>
            <form>
                <input type='text' name='customer' placeholder='Customer Name'>
            </form>
        </div>
    </body>
    </html>";

var pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf(advancedHtml);
pdf.SaveAs("advanced-invoice.pdf");

Imports IronPdf

Private renderer = New ChromePdfRenderer()

' Configure rendering options
renderer.RenderingOptions.CssMediaType = PdfCssMediaType.Print
renderer.RenderingOptions.PrintHtmlBackgrounds = True
renderer.RenderingOptions.CreatePdfFormsFromHtml = True

Dim advancedHtml As String = "
    <html>
    <head>
        <style>
            body { font-family: Arial, sans-serif; }
            .invoice { border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 20px; }
            .header { background-color: #f0f0f0; padding: 10px; }
        </style>
    </head>
    <body>
        <div class='invoice'>
            <div class='header'>
                <h1>Invoice #12345</h1>
            </div>
            <form>
                <input type='text' name='customer' placeholder='Customer Name'>
            </form>
        </div>
    </body>
    </html>"

Dim pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf(advancedHtml)
pdf.SaveAs("advanced-invoice.pdf")

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The ChromePdfRenderer class provides extensive control over the rendering process, including CSS media type selection, background rendering, and automatic form field creation from HTML input elements.

4. Convert HTML File to PDF File

4.1. HTML File with IronPDF

/**
 * HTML File to PDF
 * anchor-html-file-with-ironpdf
 **/
using IronPdf;

static void Main(string[] args)
{
    // Create rendering converter
    var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();

    // Render HTML file to PDF
    var pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlFileAsPdf("E:/myHtmlFile.html");

    // Save to target location
    pdf.SaveAs("E:/Sample.pdf");
}

/**
 * HTML File to PDF
 * anchor-html-file-with-ironpdf
 **/
using IronPdf;

static void Main(string[] args)
{
    // Create rendering converter
    var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();

    // Render HTML file to PDF
    var pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlFileAsPdf("E:/myHtmlFile.html");

    // Save to target location
    pdf.SaveAs("E:/Sample.pdf");
}

'''
''' * HTML File to PDF
''' * anchor-html-file-with-ironpdf
''' *
Imports IronPdf

Shared Sub Main(ByVal args() As String)
	' Create rendering converter
	Dim renderer = New ChromePdfRenderer()

	' Render HTML file to PDF
	Dim pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlFileAsPdf("E:/myHtmlFile.html")

	' Save to target location
	pdf.SaveAs("E:/Sample.pdf")
End Sub

$vbLabelText $csharpLabel

IronPDF automatically handles:

External CSS and JavaScript files
Image references
Font loading
Relative path resolution

4.2. HTML File with ActivePDF WebGrabber

using APWebGrabber;

static void Main(string[] args)
{
    // Instantiate Object
    WebGrabber wg = new WebGrabber();

    // Specify file path to be converted
    wg.URL = "E:/myHtmlFile.html";

    // Specify the directory for newly generated file
    wg.OutputDirectory = "E:/";

    // Newly generated file name
    wg.NewDocumentName = "Sample.pdf";

    // Convert HTML file to PDF
    wg.ConvertToPDF();
}

using APWebGrabber;

static void Main(string[] args)
{
    // Instantiate Object
    WebGrabber wg = new WebGrabber();

    // Specify file path to be converted
    wg.URL = "E:/myHtmlFile.html";

    // Specify the directory for newly generated file
    wg.OutputDirectory = "E:/";

    // Newly generated file name
    wg.NewDocumentName = "Sample.pdf";

    // Convert HTML file to PDF
    wg.ConvertToPDF();
}

Imports APWebGrabber

Shared Sub Main(ByVal args() As String)
	' Instantiate Object
	Dim wg As New WebGrabber()

	' Specify file path to be converted
	wg.URL = "E:/myHtmlFile.html"

	' Specify the directory for newly generated file
	wg.OutputDirectory = "E:/"

	' Newly generated file name
	wg.NewDocumentName = "Sample.pdf"

	' Convert HTML file to PDF
	wg.ConvertToPDF()
End Sub

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Note that ActivePDF WebGrabber uses the URL property for local files, which can be confusing for developers expecting a file-specific method.

5. Convert URL to PDF File

5.1. URL with IronPDF

/**
 * URL to PDF
 * anchor-url-with-ironpdf
 **/
using IronPdf;

static void Main(string[] args)
{
    // Create rendering converter
    var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();

    // Specify URL
    var pdf = renderer.RenderUrlAsPdf("https://ironpdf.com");

    // Save the file
    pdf.SaveAs("E:/Sample.pdf");
}

/**
 * URL to PDF
 * anchor-url-with-ironpdf
 **/
using IronPdf;

static void Main(string[] args)
{
    // Create rendering converter
    var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();

    // Specify URL
    var pdf = renderer.RenderUrlAsPdf("https://ironpdf.com");

    // Save the file
    pdf.SaveAs("E:/Sample.pdf");
}

'''
''' * URL to PDF
''' * anchor-url-with-ironpdf
''' *
Imports IronPdf

Shared Sub Main(ByVal args() As String)
	' Create rendering converter
	Dim renderer = New ChromePdfRenderer()

	' Specify URL
	Dim pdf = renderer.RenderUrlAsPdf("https://ironpdf.com")

	' Save the file
	pdf.SaveAs("E:/Sample.pdf")
End Sub

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5.2. Async URL Conversion with IronPDF

IronPDF provides excellent async support for better performance:

using IronPdf;
using System.Threading.Tasks;

static async Task Main(string[] args)
{
    var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();

    // Configure for complex pages
    renderer.RenderingOptions.WaitFor.RenderDelay(2000); // Wait 2 seconds
    renderer.RenderingOptions.WaitFor.JavaScript(1500); // Wait for JS

    // Async conversion
    var pdf = await renderer.RenderUrlAsPdfAsync("https://complex-spa.com");
    await pdf.SaveAsAsync("E:/async-sample.pdf");
}

using IronPdf;
using System.Threading.Tasks;

static async Task Main(string[] args)
{
    var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();

    // Configure for complex pages
    renderer.RenderingOptions.WaitFor.RenderDelay(2000); // Wait 2 seconds
    renderer.RenderingOptions.WaitFor.JavaScript(1500); // Wait for JS

    // Async conversion
    var pdf = await renderer.RenderUrlAsPdfAsync("https://complex-spa.com");
    await pdf.SaveAsAsync("E:/async-sample.pdf");
}

Imports IronPdf
Imports System.Threading.Tasks

Shared Async Function Main(ByVal args() As String) As Task
	Dim renderer = New ChromePdfRenderer()

	' Configure for complex pages
	renderer.RenderingOptions.WaitFor.RenderDelay(2000) ' Wait 2 seconds
	renderer.RenderingOptions.WaitFor.JavaScript(1500) ' Wait for JS

	' Async conversion
	Dim pdf = Await renderer.RenderUrlAsPdfAsync("https://complex-spa.com")
	Await pdf.SaveAsAsync("E:/async-sample.pdf")
End Function

$vbLabelText $csharpLabel

The WaitFor class provides precise control over rendering timing, essential for JavaScript-heavy applications. You can wait for specific elements, network idle states, or custom JavaScript events.

5.3. URL with ActivePDF WebGrabber

using APWebGrabber;

static void Main(string[] args)
{
    // Instantiate Object
    WebGrabber wg = new WebGrabber();

    // Specify URL 
    wg.URL = "https://www.example.com/";

    // Specify the directory for newly generated file
    wg.OutputDirectory = "E:/";

    // Specify file name
    wg.NewDocumentName = "Sample.pdf";

    // Set timeout for conversion
    wg.TimeoutSpan = new TimeSpan(0, 0, 30);

    // Convert specified URL webpage to PDF
    wg.ConvertToPDF();
}

using APWebGrabber;

static void Main(string[] args)
{
    // Instantiate Object
    WebGrabber wg = new WebGrabber();

    // Specify URL 
    wg.URL = "https://www.example.com/";

    // Specify the directory for newly generated file
    wg.OutputDirectory = "E:/";

    // Specify file name
    wg.NewDocumentName = "Sample.pdf";

    // Set timeout for conversion
    wg.TimeoutSpan = new TimeSpan(0, 0, 30);

    // Convert specified URL webpage to PDF
    wg.ConvertToPDF();
}

Imports APWebGrabber

Shared Sub Main(ByVal args() As String)
	' Instantiate Object
	Dim wg As New WebGrabber()

	' Specify URL 
	wg.URL = "https://www.example.com/"

	' Specify the directory for newly generated file
	wg.OutputDirectory = "E:/"

	' Specify file name
	wg.NewDocumentName = "Sample.pdf"

	' Set timeout for conversion
	wg.TimeoutSpan = New TimeSpan(0, 0, 30)

	' Convert specified URL webpage to PDF
	wg.ConvertToPDF()
End Sub

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6. Create a Watermark on PDF

6.1. Watermark with IronPDF

IronPDF provides flexible watermarking through HTML/CSS:

/**
 * Watermark PDF
 * anchor-watermark-with-ironpdf
 **/
using IronPdf;

static void Main(string[] args)
{
    var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();

    // Source HTML string
    string html = "<h1 style='text-align:center'>WaterMark Example</h1>";

    // Create PDF
    var pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf(html);

    // Apply watermark with HTML/CSS
    pdf.ApplyWatermark("<h2 style='color:red; opacity:0.5'>CONFIDENTIAL</h2>", 
        rotation: 30, 
        opacity: 50);

    // Save the document
    pdf.SaveAs("E:/Sample.pdf");
}

/**
 * Watermark PDF
 * anchor-watermark-with-ironpdf
 **/
using IronPdf;

static void Main(string[] args)
{
    var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();

    // Source HTML string
    string html = "<h1 style='text-align:center'>WaterMark Example</h1>";

    // Create PDF
    var pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf(html);

    // Apply watermark with HTML/CSS
    pdf.ApplyWatermark("<h2 style='color:red; opacity:0.5'>CONFIDENTIAL</h2>", 
        rotation: 30, 
        opacity: 50);

    // Save the document
    pdf.SaveAs("E:/Sample.pdf");
}

'''
''' * Watermark PDF
''' * anchor-watermark-with-ironpdf
''' *
Imports IronPdf

Shared Sub Main(ByVal args() As String)
	Dim renderer = New ChromePdfRenderer()

	' Source HTML string
	Dim html As String = "<h1 style='text-align:center'>WaterMark Example</h1>"

	' Create PDF
	Dim pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf(html)

	' Apply watermark with HTML/CSS
	pdf.ApplyWatermark("<h2 style='color:red; opacity:0.5'>CONFIDENTIAL</h2>", rotation:= 30, opacity:= 50)

	' Save the document
	pdf.SaveAs("E:/Sample.pdf")
End Sub

$vbLabelText $csharpLabel

Advanced watermarking with IronPDF:

// Image watermark
pdf.ApplyWatermark($@"<img src='logo.png' style='width:200px'>", 
    rotation: 0, 
    opacity: 30, 
    verticalAlignment: VerticalAlignment.Middle);

// Complex HTML watermark with positioning
string complexWatermark = @"
    <div style='text-align:center; font-family:Arial'>
        <h1 style='color:#ff0000'>DRAFT</h1>
        <p>Generated: " + DateTime.Now.ToString() + @"</p>
    </div>";

pdf.ApplyWatermark(complexWatermark, rotation: 45, opacity: 25);

// Image watermark
pdf.ApplyWatermark($@"<img src='logo.png' style='width:200px'>", 
    rotation: 0, 
    opacity: 30, 
    verticalAlignment: VerticalAlignment.Middle);

// Complex HTML watermark with positioning
string complexWatermark = @"
    <div style='text-align:center; font-family:Arial'>
        <h1 style='color:#ff0000'>DRAFT</h1>
        <p>Generated: " + DateTime.Now.ToString() + @"</p>
    </div>";

pdf.ApplyWatermark(complexWatermark, rotation: 45, opacity: 25);

' Image watermark
pdf.ApplyWatermark($"<img src='logo.png' style='width:200px'>", rotation:= 0, opacity:= 30, verticalAlignment:= VerticalAlignment.Middle)

' Complex HTML watermark with positioning
Dim complexWatermark As String = "
    <div style='text-align:center; font-family:Arial'>
        <h1 style='color:#ff0000'>DRAFT</h1>
        <p>Generated: " & DateTime.Now.ToString() & "</p>
    </div>"

pdf.ApplyWatermark(complexWatermark, rotation:= 45, opacity:= 25)

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6.2. Watermark with ActivePDF WebGrabber

ActivePDF requires using text stamps as a workaround:

using APWebGrabber;

static void Main(string[] args)
{
    WebGrabber wg = new WebGrabber();

    string html = "<h1 style='text-align:center'>WaterMark Example</h1>";
    wg.CreateFromHTMLText = html;

    // Add text stamp as watermark
    wg.AddStampText(270.0f, 350.0f, "WaterMark");

    // Configure stamp appearance
    wg.StampFontSize = 20;
    wg.StampFont = "Times New Roman";
    wg.StampFontTransparency = 1f;
    wg.StampRotation = 45.0f;
    wg.StampColorNET = new ADK.PDF.Color() 
    { 
        Red = 255, 
        Green = 0, 
        Blue = 0, 
        Gray = 0 
    };

    wg.OutputDirectory = "E:/";
    wg.NewDocumentName = "Sample.pdf";
    wg.ConvertToPDF();
}

using APWebGrabber;

static void Main(string[] args)
{
    WebGrabber wg = new WebGrabber();

    string html = "<h1 style='text-align:center'>WaterMark Example</h1>";
    wg.CreateFromHTMLText = html;

    // Add text stamp as watermark
    wg.AddStampText(270.0f, 350.0f, "WaterMark");

    // Configure stamp appearance
    wg.StampFontSize = 20;
    wg.StampFont = "Times New Roman";
    wg.StampFontTransparency = 1f;
    wg.StampRotation = 45.0f;
    wg.StampColorNET = new ADK.PDF.Color() 
    { 
        Red = 255, 
        Green = 0, 
        Blue = 0, 
        Gray = 0 
    };

    wg.OutputDirectory = "E:/";
    wg.NewDocumentName = "Sample.pdf";
    wg.ConvertToPDF();
}

Imports APWebGrabber

Shared Sub Main(ByVal args() As String)
	Dim wg As New WebGrabber()

	Dim html As String = "<h1 style='text-align:center'>WaterMark Example</h1>"
	wg.CreateFromHTMLText = html

	' Add text stamp as watermark
	wg.AddStampText(270.0F, 350.0F, "WaterMark")

	' Configure stamp appearance
	wg.StampFontSize = 20
	wg.StampFont = "Times New Roman"
	wg.StampFontTransparency = 1F
	wg.StampRotation = 45.0F
	wg.StampColorNET = New ADK.PDF.Color() With {
		.Red = 255,
		.Green = 0,
		.Blue = 0,
		.Gray = 0
	}

	wg.OutputDirectory = "E:/"
	wg.NewDocumentName = "Sample.pdf"
	wg.ConvertToPDF()
End Sub

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The ActivePDF approach is limited to text-only watermarks and requires manual positioning calculations.

7. Set Headers and Footers for PDFs

7.1. Headers and Footers with IronPDF

IronPDF offers both simple text and complex HTML headers/footers:

/**
 * Set Header Footers
 * anchor-headers-and-footers-with-ironpdf
 **/
using IronPdf;

static void Main(string[] args)
{
    var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();

    // Configure text header/footer
    renderer.RenderingOptions.TextHeader = new TextHeaderFooter()
    {
        LeftText = "Company Name",
        CenterText = "{page} of {total-pages}",
        RightText = "{date} {time}",
        DrawDividerLine = true,
        FontSize = 12,
        FontFamily = "Arial"
    };

    renderer.RenderingOptions.TextFooter = new TextHeaderFooter()
    {
        CenterText = "Copyright © 2025",
        RightText = "Page {page}",
        FontSize = 10
    };

    // HTML content
    string html = "<h1>Document Content</h1><p>Lorem ipsum...</p>";
    var pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf(html);
    pdf.SaveAs("E:/document.pdf");
}

/**
 * Set Header Footers
 * anchor-headers-and-footers-with-ironpdf
 **/
using IronPdf;

static void Main(string[] args)
{
    var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();

    // Configure text header/footer
    renderer.RenderingOptions.TextHeader = new TextHeaderFooter()
    {
        LeftText = "Company Name",
        CenterText = "{page} of {total-pages}",
        RightText = "{date} {time}",
        DrawDividerLine = true,
        FontSize = 12,
        FontFamily = "Arial"
    };

    renderer.RenderingOptions.TextFooter = new TextHeaderFooter()
    {
        CenterText = "Copyright © 2025",
        RightText = "Page {page}",
        FontSize = 10
    };

    // HTML content
    string html = "<h1>Document Content</h1><p>Lorem ipsum...</p>";
    var pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf(html);
    pdf.SaveAs("E:/document.pdf");
}

'''
''' * Set Header Footers
''' * anchor-headers-and-footers-with-ironpdf
''' *
Imports IronPdf

Shared Sub Main(ByVal args() As String)
	Dim renderer = New ChromePdfRenderer()

	' Configure text header/footer
	renderer.RenderingOptions.TextHeader = New TextHeaderFooter() With {
		.LeftText = "Company Name",
		.CenterText = "{page} of {total-pages}",
		.RightText = "{date} {time}",
		.DrawDividerLine = True,
		.FontSize = 12,
		.FontFamily = "Arial"
	}

	renderer.RenderingOptions.TextFooter = New TextHeaderFooter() With {
		.CenterText = "Copyright © 2025",
		.RightText = "Page {page}",
		.FontSize = 10
	}

	' HTML content
	Dim html As String = "<h1>Document Content</h1><p>Lorem ipsum...</p>"
	Dim pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf(html)
	pdf.SaveAs("E:/document.pdf")
End Sub

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For more complex headers/footers using HTML:

// HTML headers with dynamic content
renderer.RenderingOptions.HtmlHeader = new HtmlHeaderFooter()
{
    HtmlFragment = @"
        <div style='display: flex; justify-content: space-between; padding: 10px;'>
            <img src='logo.png' style='height: 30px;'>
            <div>{page} / {total-pages}</div>
        </div>",
    Height = 50
};

// HTML headers with dynamic content
renderer.RenderingOptions.HtmlHeader = new HtmlHeaderFooter()
{
    HtmlFragment = @"
        <div style='display: flex; justify-content: space-between; padding: 10px;'>
            <img src='logo.png' style='height: 30px;'>
            <div>{page} / {total-pages}</div>
        </div>",
    Height = 50
};

' HTML headers with dynamic content
renderer.RenderingOptions.HtmlHeader = New HtmlHeaderFooter() With {
	.HtmlFragment = "
        <div style='display: flex; justify-content: space-between; padding: 10px;'>
            <img src='logo.png' style='height: 30px;'>
            <div>{page} / {total-pages}</div>
        </div>",
	.Height = 50
}

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The predefined merge fields available in IronPDF include:

{page} - Current page number
{total-pages} - Total number of pages
{url} - Source URL (if applicable)
{date} - Current date
{time} - Current time
{html-title} - Title from HTML document
{pdf-title} - PDF metadata title

7.2. Headers and Footers with ActivePDF WebGrabber

using APWebGrabber;

static void Main(string[] args)
{
    WebGrabber wg = new WebGrabber();

    string html = @"<h1 style='text-align:center;'>Page Content</h1>";
    wg.CreateFromHTMLText = html;

    // Configure header
    wg.HeaderHeight = 0.5f;
    wg.HeaderHTML = "<div style='float: left;'>Header Text</div>";
    wg.HeaderHTML += $"<div style='float: right;'>{DateTime.Now.ToShortDateString()}</div>";

    // Configure footer
    wg.FooterHeight = 0.5f;
    wg.FooterHTML = "<div style='text-align: right;'>%cp% of %tp%</div>";

    wg.OutputDirectory = "E:/";
    wg.NewDocumentName = "Sample.pdf";
    wg.ConvertToPDF();
}

using APWebGrabber;

static void Main(string[] args)
{
    WebGrabber wg = new WebGrabber();

    string html = @"<h1 style='text-align:center;'>Page Content</h1>";
    wg.CreateFromHTMLText = html;

    // Configure header
    wg.HeaderHeight = 0.5f;
    wg.HeaderHTML = "<div style='float: left;'>Header Text</div>";
    wg.HeaderHTML += $"<div style='float: right;'>{DateTime.Now.ToShortDateString()}</div>";

    // Configure footer
    wg.FooterHeight = 0.5f;
    wg.FooterHTML = "<div style='text-align: right;'>%cp% of %tp%</div>";

    wg.OutputDirectory = "E:/";
    wg.NewDocumentName = "Sample.pdf";
    wg.ConvertToPDF();
}

Imports APWebGrabber

Shared Sub Main(ByVal args() As String)
	Dim wg As New WebGrabber()

	Dim html As String = "<h1 style='text-align:center;'>Page Content</h1>"
	wg.CreateFromHTMLText = html

	' Configure header
	wg.HeaderHeight = 0.5F
	wg.HeaderHTML = "<div style='float: left;'>Header Text</div>"
	wg.HeaderHTML += $"<div style='float: right;'>{DateTime.Now.ToShortDateString()}</div>"

	' Configure footer
	wg.FooterHeight = 0.5F
	wg.FooterHTML = "<div style='text-align: right;'>%cp% of %tp%</div>"

	wg.OutputDirectory = "E:/"
	wg.NewDocumentName = "Sample.pdf"
	wg.ConvertToPDF()
End Sub

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Note: ActivePDF uses proprietary placeholders (%cp% for current page, %tp% for total pages) and requires manual HTML construction.

8. Advanced PDF Features Comparison

8.1. PDF Form Creation and Manipulation

IronPDF Form Example

using IronPdf;

// Create a PDF with form fields
var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();
renderer.RenderingOptions.CreatePdfFormsFromHtml = true;

string formHtml = @"
    <form>
        <label>Name: <input type='text' name='fullname'></label><br>
        <label>Email: <input type='email' name='email'></label><br>
        <label>Subscribe: <input type='checkbox' name='subscribe'></label><br>
        <label>
            Plan:
            <select name='plan'>
                <option>Basic</option>
                <option>Premium</option>
            </select>
        </label>
    </form>";

var pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf(formHtml);

// Fill form fields programmatically
pdf.Form.FindFormField("fullname").Value = "John Doe";
pdf.Form.FindFormField("email").Value = "john@example.com";
pdf.Form.FindFormField("subscribe").Value = "Yes";

pdf.SaveAs("filled-form.pdf");

using IronPdf;

// Create a PDF with form fields
var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();
renderer.RenderingOptions.CreatePdfFormsFromHtml = true;

string formHtml = @"
    <form>
        <label>Name: <input type='text' name='fullname'></label><br>
        <label>Email: <input type='email' name='email'></label><br>
        <label>Subscribe: <input type='checkbox' name='subscribe'></label><br>
        <label>
            Plan:
            <select name='plan'>
                <option>Basic</option>
                <option>Premium</option>
            </select>
        </label>
    </form>";

var pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf(formHtml);

// Fill form fields programmatically
pdf.Form.FindFormField("fullname").Value = "John Doe";
pdf.Form.FindFormField("email").Value = "john@example.com";
pdf.Form.FindFormField("subscribe").Value = "Yes";

pdf.SaveAs("filled-form.pdf");

Imports IronPdf

' Create a PDF with form fields
Private renderer = New ChromePdfRenderer()
renderer.RenderingOptions.CreatePdfFormsFromHtml = True

Dim formHtml As String = "
    <form>
        <label>Name: <input type='text' name='fullname'></label><br>
        <label>Email: <input type='email' name='email'></label><br>
        <label>Subscribe: <input type='checkbox' name='subscribe'></label><br>
        <label>
            Plan:
            <select name='plan'>
                <option>Basic</option>
                <option>Premium</option>
            </select>
        </label>
    </form>"

Dim pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf(formHtml)

' Fill form fields programmatically
pdf.Form.FindFormField("fullname").Value = "John Doe"
pdf.Form.FindFormField("email").Value = "john@example.com"
pdf.Form.FindFormField("subscribe").Value = "Yes"

pdf.SaveAs("filled-form.pdf")

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ActivePDF Toolkit Form Example

// ActivePDF requires separate Toolkit component for forms
APToolkitNET.Toolkit toolkit = new APToolkitNET.Toolkit();

// Open existing PDF
toolkit.OpenInputFile("form-template.pdf");

// Set form field values
toolkit.SetFormFieldData("fullname", "John Doe", -997);
toolkit.SetFormFieldData("email", "john@example.com", -997);

// Save filled form
toolkit.CopyForm(0, 0);
toolkit.SaveAs("filled-form.pdf");

// ActivePDF requires separate Toolkit component for forms
APToolkitNET.Toolkit toolkit = new APToolkitNET.Toolkit();

// Open existing PDF
toolkit.OpenInputFile("form-template.pdf");

// Set form field values
toolkit.SetFormFieldData("fullname", "John Doe", -997);
toolkit.SetFormFieldData("email", "john@example.com", -997);

// Save filled form
toolkit.CopyForm(0, 0);
toolkit.SaveAs("filled-form.pdf");

' ActivePDF requires separate Toolkit component for forms
Dim toolkit As New APToolkitNET.Toolkit()

' Open existing PDF
toolkit.OpenInputFile("form-template.pdf")

' Set form field values
toolkit.SetFormFieldData("fullname", "John Doe", -997)
toolkit.SetFormFieldData("email", "john@example.com", -997)

' Save filled form
toolkit.CopyForm(0, 0)
toolkit.SaveAs("filled-form.pdf")

$vbLabelText $csharpLabel

8.2. PDF/A Compliance

Both libraries support PDF/A, but with different approaches:

IronPDF PDF/A

using IronPdf;

var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();
var pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<h1>Archival Document</h1>");

// Convert to PDF/A-3B
pdf.SaveAsPdfA("archive.pdf", PdfAVersions.PdfA3B);

using IronPdf;

var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();
var pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<h1>Archival Document</h1>");

// Convert to PDF/A-3B
pdf.SaveAsPdfA("archive.pdf", PdfAVersions.PdfA3B);

Imports IronPdf

Private renderer = New ChromePdfRenderer()
Private pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<h1>Archival Document</h1>")

' Convert to PDF/A-3B
pdf.SaveAsPdfA("archive.pdf", PdfAVersions.PdfA3B)

$vbLabelText $csharpLabel

ActivePDF DocConverter PDF/A

// Requires DocConverter component
DocConverter dc = new DocConverter();
dc.SetPDFACompliance(PDFACompliance.PDFA2B);
dc.ConvertToPDF("input.html", "output.pdf");

// Requires DocConverter component
DocConverter dc = new DocConverter();
dc.SetPDFACompliance(PDFACompliance.PDFA2B);
dc.ConvertToPDF("input.html", "output.pdf");

' Requires DocConverter component
Dim dc As New DocConverter()
dc.SetPDFACompliance(PDFACompliance.PDFA2B)
dc.ConvertToPDF("input.html", "output.pdf")

$vbLabelText $csharpLabel

8.3. Digital Signatures

IronPDF Digital Signature

using IronPdf;
using IronPdf.Signing;

// Load or create PDF
var pdf = PdfDocument.FromFile("document.pdf");

// Create signature with certificate
var signature = new PdfSignature("certificate.pfx", "password");

// Configure signature appearance
signature.SignatureImage = new PdfSignatureImage("signature.png");
signature.SigningContact = "john@company.com";
signature.SigningReason = "Document Approval";

// Apply signature
pdf.Sign(signature);
pdf.SaveAs("signed.pdf");

using IronPdf;
using IronPdf.Signing;

// Load or create PDF
var pdf = PdfDocument.FromFile("document.pdf");

// Create signature with certificate
var signature = new PdfSignature("certificate.pfx", "password");

// Configure signature appearance
signature.SignatureImage = new PdfSignatureImage("signature.png");
signature.SigningContact = "john@company.com";
signature.SigningReason = "Document Approval";

// Apply signature
pdf.Sign(signature);
pdf.SaveAs("signed.pdf");

Imports IronPdf
Imports IronPdf.Signing

' Load or create PDF
Private pdf = PdfDocument.FromFile("document.pdf")

' Create signature with certificate
Private signature = New PdfSignature("certificate.pfx", "password")

' Configure signature appearance
signature.SignatureImage = New PdfSignatureImage("signature.png")
signature.SigningContact = "john@company.com"
signature.SigningReason = "Document Approval"

' Apply signature
pdf.Sign(signature)
pdf.SaveAs("signed.pdf")

$vbLabelText $csharpLabel

8.4. Batch Processing Comparison

IronPDF Batch Processing

using IronPdf;
using System.Threading.Tasks;
using System.IO;

static async Task BatchConvertAsync()
{
    var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();
    var tasks = new List<Task>();

    foreach (var file in Directory.GetFiles("input", "*.html"))
    {
        tasks.Add(Task.Run(async () =>
        {
            var pdf = await renderer.RenderHtmlFileAsPdfAsync(file);
            var outputPath = Path.Combine("output", 
                Path.GetFileNameWithoutExtension(file) + ".pdf");
            await pdf.SaveAsAsync(outputPath);
        }));
    }

    await Task.WhenAll(tasks);
}

using IronPdf;
using System.Threading.Tasks;
using System.IO;

static async Task BatchConvertAsync()
{
    var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();
    var tasks = new List<Task>();

    foreach (var file in Directory.GetFiles("input", "*.html"))
    {
        tasks.Add(Task.Run(async () =>
        {
            var pdf = await renderer.RenderHtmlFileAsPdfAsync(file);
            var outputPath = Path.Combine("output", 
                Path.GetFileNameWithoutExtension(file) + ".pdf");
            await pdf.SaveAsAsync(outputPath);
        }));
    }

    await Task.WhenAll(tasks);
}

Imports IronPdf
Imports System.Threading.Tasks
Imports System.IO

Shared Async Function BatchConvertAsync() As Task
	Dim renderer = New ChromePdfRenderer()
	Dim tasks = New List(Of Task)()

	For Each file In Directory.GetFiles("input", "*.html")
		tasks.Add(Task.Run(Async Function()
			Dim pdf = Await renderer.RenderHtmlFileAsPdfAsync(file)
			Dim outputPath = Path.Combine("output", Path.GetFileNameWithoutExtension(file) & ".pdf")
			Await pdf.SaveAsAsync(outputPath)
		End Function))
	Next file

	Await Task.WhenAll(tasks)
End Function

$vbLabelText $csharpLabel

ActivePDF DocConverter Batch Processing

// DocConverter supports watched folders for automatic conversion
DocConverter dc = new DocConverter();

// Configure watched folder
dc.AddWatchedFolder(@"C:\Input", @"C:\Output", "*.html");
dc.StartWatching();

// Files dropped in the input folder are automatically converted

// DocConverter supports watched folders for automatic conversion
DocConverter dc = new DocConverter();

// Configure watched folder
dc.AddWatchedFolder(@"C:\Input", @"C:\Output", "*.html");
dc.StartWatching();

// Files dropped in the input folder are automatically converted

' DocConverter supports watched folders for automatic conversion
Dim dc As New DocConverter()

' Configure watched folder
dc.AddWatchedFolder("C:\Input", "C:\Output", "*.html")
dc.StartWatching()

' Files dropped in the input folder are automatically converted

$vbLabelText $csharpLabel

9. Performance and Resource Comparison

How do the libraries compare in terms of performance?

Based on benchmark testing and real-world usage:

IronPDF Performance Metrics

HTML rendering: ~125ms for simple content
Complex sites: 835ms (tested on static websites)
Memory usage: Under 10MB typical
Initial startup: 2-3 seconds (Chrome engine initialization)
75% reduction in memory usage for headers/footers
80% reduction in loading time for large documents

ActivePDF Performance Characteristics

Variable based on rendering engine selected
Native engine: Faster for simple HTML
IE engine: Slower but better compatibility with legacy content
Service-based architecture adds overhead
Better suited for batch processing scenarios

Memory Management Best Practices

IronPDF Memory Optimization

// Dispose of resources properly
using (var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer())
{
    using (var pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf(html))
    {
        pdf.SaveAs("output.pdf");
    }
}

// For large documents, use streaming
await pdf.Stream.CopyToAsync(fileStream);

// Dispose of resources properly
using (var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer())
{
    using (var pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf(html))
    {
        pdf.SaveAs("output.pdf");
    }
}

// For large documents, use streaming
await pdf.Stream.CopyToAsync(fileStream);

' Dispose of resources properly
Using renderer = New ChromePdfRenderer()
	Using pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf(html)
		pdf.SaveAs("output.pdf")
	End Using
End Using

' For large documents, use streaming
Await pdf.Stream.CopyToAsync(fileStream)

$vbLabelText $csharpLabel

ActivePDF Memory Considerations

Service-based architecture isolates memory usage
Automatic cleanup between conversions
Configure service memory limits in Windows

10. ActivePDF Components Overview

What other ActivePDF components are available?

元件	用途與功能
ActivePDF DocConverter	將300多種文件類型轉換為PDF。功能包括監控文件夾、批量處理和企業自動化。
ActivePDF WebGrabber	支持URL、文件和HTML字符串的HTML到PDF轉換。包含原生和IE渲染引擎。
ActivePDF Toolkit	高級PDF操作，包括表單、註釋、安全性和低級PDF操作。
ActivePDF Server	基於伺服器的網路環境PDF列印解決方案。
ActivePDF Meridian	網路PDF打印機，用於將文件列印到PDF而無需逐用戶費用。
ActivePDF OCR	光學字符識別，使掃描PDF可搜索。
ActivePDF Xtractor	從PDF文件中提取文本和圖像以進行數據處理。
ActivePDF Redactor	永久刪除PDF文檔中的敏感信息。

請注意許多這些元件需要單獨許可證，增加了全面PDF功能的總成本。

11. 許可證和定價比較

IronPDF和ActivePDF之間的許可證成本如何比較？

IronPDF 許可證（透明定價，截至2025年）

Lite許可證：$799（1位開發人員，1個地點，1個項目）
Plus許可證：$1,199（3位開發人員，3個地點，3個項目）
專業許可證：$2,399（10位開發人員，10個地點，10個項目）
無限制許可證：自訂定價（無限開發者/項目）
Iron Suite：$1,498（包含所有10個Iron Software產品）

ActivePDF 許可證（每個元件）

WebGrabber：起價$2,499（一次性付款）
DocConverter：起價$2,999（一次性付款）
Toolkit：起價$1,500+（功能不同價格不同）
支持：高級支持需額外費用
多個元件：成本迅速增加

總擁有成本示例

情境：小型開發團隊（3位開發人員）

IronPDF Plus 許可證：$1,499（包含所有功能）
ActivePDF WebGrabber + DocConverter：至少$5,498
IronPDF節省：73%

情境：企業團隊（10位開發人員）

IronPDF 專業版：$2,999（包含所有功能）
ActivePDF 套件（多個元件）：$10,000+
IronPDF節省：70%+

12. 支持和文檔

哪個庫提供更好的開發者支持？

IronPDF 支持

24/5 工程支持包含在所有許可證內
直接訪問開發團隊
全面的文檔，包含100多個示例
活躍的社區和論壇
定期更新和改進
回應時間：約24-48小時

ActivePDF 支持

支持門戶網站訪問
知識庫文章
社區論壇
額外費用提供高級支持
舊版本的遺留文檔

結論：您應該選擇哪個PDF庫？

何時選擇IronPDF：

現代.NET 開發：完全支持.NET 9/10和跨平台部署
快速開發：直觀的API，所需代碼最小
Web應用程序：出色的HTML/CSS/JavaScript渲染，使用Chrome引擎
雲部署：為Azure、AWS和容器化環境優化
預算考量：較低的進入成本，包含所有功能
學習曲線：全面的文檔和示例，有助於快速採用

何時選擇ActivePDF：

遺留系統：現有的ActivePDF基礎設施或Windows伺服器環境
多樣的文件格式：需要將300多種文件類型轉換為PDF
企業工作流：監控文件夾和自動批量處理
高級表單：複雜的XFA表單或專門的表單要求
合規要求：多個PDF/A級別以滿足特定行業需求

最終建議

在大多數現代.NET開發情境中，IronPDF提供了最佳的功能、性能和價值的組合。其直觀的API、全面的文檔和透明定價使其非常適合希望快速高效地實現PDF功能的團隊。

ActivePDF仍然是企業在文件格式支持、遺留系統集成或現有ActivePDF基礎設施方面具備特定要求時的可行選擇。然而，模塊化的定價模式和複雜的安裝過程可能對小型團隊或新項目造成挑戰。

準備開始了嗎？

立即開始在您的項目中使用 IronPDF 並免費試用。

第一步：

請注意ActivePDF 是其各自所有者的註冊商標。本網站與ActivePDF無關，亦未受其贊助或支持。所有產品名稱、徽標和品牌均為其各自所有者的財產。比較僅供信息參考，並反映撰寫時公開可用的信息。

常見問題解答

IronPDF 和 ActivePDF 在 .NET 中的 PDF 生成比較如何？

IronPDF 提供了一種精簡的 PDF 生成方法，使用基於 Chrome 的渲染引擎和直觀的 API，支持現代 .NET 版本，包括 .NET 9 和 10。ActivePDF 提供了模塊化的組件，如 WebGrabber 和 DocConverter，用於企業場景，但需要更多的配置。

如何使用 C# 將 HTML 轉換為 PDF？

您可以使用 IronPDF 的 RenderHtmlAsPdf 方法快速將 HTML 字串轉換為 PDF。對於基於文件的轉換，可使用 RenderHtmlFileAsPdf 方法，兩者都提供高保真，支持 CSS3 和 JavaScript。

IronPDF 的性能基準是什麼？

IronPDF 展示了快速的 HTML 到 PDF 渲染，完成任務約需 125-835 毫秒，內存使用率低於 10MB。它還提供了標題和頁腳內存和處理的顯著提升。

我可以用 IronPDF 自動批量 PDF 處理嗎？

可以，IronPDF 通過 async/await 模式支持批量處理，允許您使用如 RenderHtmlFileAsPdfAsync 等方法同時處理多個 PDF 轉換。

IronPDF 如何在 PDF 中處理數字簽名？

IronPDF 提供了一個 PdfSignature 類，用於在 PDF 文檔中添加數字簽名。它支持基於證書的簽名，並允許自定義簽名的外觀和元數據。

在 .NET 開發中使用 IronPDF 的成本考量是什麼？

IronPDF 許可證從 $749 起，面向單個開發人員，包括所有功能。相比之下，ActivePDF 組件單獨定價，導致類似功能的總成本更高。

IronPDF 如何確保跨平台兼容性？

IronPDF 支持跨平台部署，包括 Windows、Linux、macOS 和 Docker 環境，適合多樣化的開發需求和基於雲的應用程序。

如何使用 IronPDF 向 PDF 添加標題和頁腳？

IronPDF 提供 TextHeaderFooter 和 HtmlHeaderFooter 類，允許您使用簡單文本和複雜的 HTML/CSS 佈局添加標題和頁腳。

IronPDF 與現代 .NET 版本的集成效果如何？

IronPDF 完全支持現代 .NET 版本，包括 .NET 9 和 10，以及 .NET Core、.NET Standard 和 .NET Framework 4.6.2+，確保廣泛的兼容性和未來的開發。

在 PDF 轉換過程中是否支持 JavaScript 執行？

是的，IronPDF 在渲染 PDF 之前完全執行 JavaScript，並有選項通過 WaitFor.JavaScript() 和 RenderDelay() 控制時機，確保完整和準確的轉換。

Jacob Mellor

立即與工程團隊聊天

首席技术官

Jacob Mellor 是 Iron Software 的首席技術官，作為 C# PDF 技術的先鋒工程師。作為 Iron Software 核心代碼的原作者，他自開始以來塑造了公司產品架構，與 CEO Cameron Rimington 一起將其轉變為一家擁有超過 50 名員工的公司，為 NASA、特斯拉和全世界政府機構服務。

Jacob 持有曼徹斯特大學土木工程一級榮譽学士工程學位(BEng) (1998-2001)。他於 1999 年在倫敦開設了他的第一家軟件公司，並於 2005 年製作了他的首個 .NET 組件，專注於解決 Microsoft 生態系統內的複雜問題。

他的旗艦產品 IronPDF & IronSuite .NET 庫在全球 NuGet 被安裝超過 3000 萬次，其基礎代碼繼續為世界各地的開發工具提供動力。擁有 25 年的商業經驗和 41 年的編碼專業知識，Jacob 仍專注於推動企業級 C#、Java 及 Python PDF 技術的創新，同時指導新一代技術領袖。