wkhtmltopdf

Pros of pdf2htmlEX

• Converts PDF to HTML, preserving layout and formatting
• Supports complex PDF features like forms and annotations
• Generates responsive output for various screen sizes

Cons of pdf2htmlEX

• May have issues with some complex PDF structures
• Requires more dependencies and setup compared to wkhtmltopdf
• Less actively maintained (last commit in 2019)

Code Comparison

pdf2htmlEX:

pdf2htmlEX input.pdf output.html

wkhtmltopdf:

wkhtmltopdf input.html output.pdf

The main difference is that pdf2htmlEX converts PDF to HTML, while wkhtmltopdf converts HTML to PDF. This fundamental difference in functionality makes a direct code comparison less relevant.

pdf2htmlEX is ideal for making PDF content accessible on the web, while wkhtmltopdf is better suited for generating PDF documents from web content. The choice between the two depends on the specific use case and requirements of the project.

Both tools have their strengths and weaknesses, and the selection should be based on the desired input and output formats, as well as the specific features needed for the conversion process.

Pros of Puppeteer

• More powerful and flexible, allowing for complex interactions and manipulations of web pages
• Supports modern web technologies and JavaScript execution
• Actively maintained with frequent updates and improvements

Cons of Puppeteer

• Heavier resource usage due to running a full browser instance
• Steeper learning curve, especially for those unfamiliar with Node.js

Code Comparison

wkhtmltopdf:

wkhtmltopdf https://example.com output.pdf

Puppeteer:

const browser = await puppeteer.launch();
const page = await browser.newPage();
await page.goto('https://example.com');
await page.pdf({path: 'output.pdf'});
await browser.close();

Puppeteer offers more programmatic control and flexibility, allowing for complex operations before generating PDFs. wkhtmltopdf provides a simpler command-line interface for basic PDF generation from URLs or HTML files.

Puppeteer is better suited for dynamic content and scenarios requiring JavaScript execution, while wkhtmltopdf is more lightweight and easier to use for simple PDF generation tasks. The choice between the two depends on the specific requirements of your project, such as the complexity of the web pages you're working with and the level of customization needed in the PDF output.

Pros of OpenHTMLToPDF

• Pure Java implementation, making it more portable and easier to integrate into Java applications
• Better support for CSS3 and HTML5 features
• More actively maintained with regular updates and bug fixes

Cons of OpenHTMLToPDF

• Slower rendering speed compared to wkhtmltopdf
• Less widespread adoption and community support
• May have compatibility issues with some complex web layouts

Code Comparison

OpenHTMLToPDF:

PdfRendererBuilder builder = new PdfRendererBuilder();
builder.withUri("https://example.com");
builder.toStream(outputStream);
builder.run();

wkhtmltopdf:

import pdfkit
pdfkit.from_url('https://example.com', 'output.pdf')

Both libraries offer straightforward ways to convert HTML to PDF, but OpenHTMLToPDF provides more fine-grained control over the rendering process within Java applications. wkhtmltopdf, being a command-line tool, is often used through wrapper libraries in various programming languages, making it more versatile for different development environments.

While OpenHTMLToPDF excels in CSS3 and HTML5 support, wkhtmltopdf generally offers faster rendering and broader compatibility with complex web layouts. The choice between the two depends on specific project requirements, such as the need for Java integration, rendering speed, or advanced CSS support.

Pros of python-pdfkit

• Python-specific wrapper, making it easier to integrate with Python projects
• Provides a higher-level API for PDF generation from HTML
• Supports multiple input types (URL, file, string) out of the box

Cons of python-pdfkit

• Depends on wkhtmltopdf as a backend, adding an extra layer of complexity
• May have slightly lower performance due to the Python wrapper
• Limited to the features provided by wkhtmltopdf

Code Comparison

wkhtmltopdf (command-line usage):

wkhtmltopdf http://example.com output.pdf

python-pdfkit:

import pdfkit

pdfkit.from_url('http://example.com', 'output.pdf')

The python-pdfkit example demonstrates its more Pythonic approach, allowing for easier integration into Python projects. However, it ultimately relies on wkhtmltopdf for the actual PDF generation.

wkhtmltopdf provides a direct, command-line interface for PDF generation, which can be more efficient for simple use cases or when integrating with non-Python environments. python-pdfkit, on the other hand, offers a more convenient API for Python developers, with additional features like configuration options and multiple input types built into the library.

Both tools serve similar purposes, with python-pdfkit acting as a higher-level wrapper around wkhtmltopdf, trading some performance for ease of use in Python environments.