Are you looking for a Java library to help you generate PDF files for your application? With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one for your needs.
In this article, we will provide an overview of the top Java PDF generation libraries, their features, and their pros and cons, to help you make an informed decision, including 5 free libraries and 5 paid libraries for commercial use.
Introduction
PDF (Portable Document Format) is a popular file format that can be easily shared and viewed on different devices and operating systems. Java, being a popular programming language, offers a variety of libraries to generate PDF files. Each library has its unique features and limitations.
Free Libraries
1. iText
iText is a widely used Java PDF generation library that allows you to create professional-quality PDF documents.
It offers various features like text formatting, tables, lists, images, encryption, digital signatures, and form filling.
iText has a strong community support and an extensive documentation, making it easy to use and customize.
However, iText is not free for commercial use, and you need to purchase a license to use it in a commercial project. Also, the latest version of iText requires Java 8 or higher.
2. Apache PDFBox
Apache PDFBox is another open-source Java PDF generation library that's been around for a long time.
It provides features to create, edit, and extract content from PDF documents. It supports a wide range of PDF features, including encryption, digital signatures, and form filling. PDFBox also provides excellent documentation and examples.
Apache PDFBox has a steep learning curve and may require some effort to integrate into your project. The library is also resource-intensive and may not be suitable for large-scale PDF generation.
3. Flying Saucer
Flying Saucer is an open-source Java library that allows you to generate PDF documents from HTML or XHTML files.
It's easy to use and has a good balance of features and performance. Flying Saucer also supports CSS styling, which makes it a great choice if you need to generate PDFs from web pages.
However, Flying Saucer is not actively maintained and may not be suitable for large-scale PDF generation.
4. JasperReports
JasperReports is a popular open-source Java reporting library that allows you to generate PDF documents from data sources.
It has a wide range of features, including charts, tables, and subreports. JasperReports also supports internationalization and localization.
It offers a drag-and-drop report designer and supports various data sources. JasperReports also supports advanced features like digital signatures, encryption, and form filling.
However, JasperReports has a steep learning curve and may require some effort to integrate into your project. It is also resource-intensive and may not be suitable for low-end systems.
5. PDFjet
PDFjet is a lightweight open-source PDF generation library for Java.
It has a simple and intuitive API and supports a wide range of PDF features, including text, images, and tables. PDFjet also has a low memory footprint, which makes it a great choice if you need to generate PDFs in a memory-constrained environment.
However, PDFjet lacks advanced features like digital signatures and form filling. It also has limited community support and documentation.
Paid Libraries
6. PDFreactor
PDFreactor is a commercial Java PDF generation library that allows you to create PDF documents from HTML or XML data.
It supports a wide range of PDF features, including encryption, digital signatures, and form filling.
PDFreactor also has excellent support for CSS and supports responsive design.
Price
Starting at $2,950 for a single license, PDFreactor can be very expensive.
One of the major advantages of PDFreactor is its support for CSS, making it easy to create professional-looking PDFs from HTML and XML data.
However, the high cost of a license may be a deterrent for some users.
7. jPDFWriter
jPDFWriter is a commercial Java PDF generation library that allows you to create PDF documents programmatically.
It supports a wide range of PDF features, including encryption, digital signatures, and form filling. jPDFWriter also provides excellent documentation and examples.
Price
jPDFWriter is technically free, but you're incentivized to pay for sponsorship. For more advanced funcionality you will need jPDFProcess, which has a commercial license, starting at $1,800.
Its programmatic approach to PDF generation makes it flexible and customizable. However, its focus on programmatic generation may make it less suitable for users who need to generate PDFs from HTML or XML data.
8. Docmosis
Docmosis is a commercial Java reporting library that allows you to generate PDF documents from data sources.
It has a wide range of features, including charts, tables, and subreports.
Docmosis also supports internationalization and localization.
Price
Starting at $3,695 per year for a single license, Docmosis is a comprehensive and feature-rich option for PDF generation in Java.
Its support for data sources and reporting makes it an ideal choice for generating complex PDF documents.
However, its high cost may make it less accessible for smaller organizations.
9. DynamicPDF
DynamicPDF is a commercial Java PDF generation library that allows you to create professional-quality PDF documents.
It supports a wide range of PDF features, including encryption, digital signatures, and form filling.
DynamicPDF also provides excellent support for graphics and images.
Price
The perpetual license starts at $439, which includes one year of support and updates.
DynamicPDF also offers subscription-based plans, which start at $449 per year. The subscription plans include all updates and support, and you can cancel at any time.
10. Aspose.PDF
Aspose.PDF is a commercial Java PDF generation library that allows you to create and manipulate PDF documents.
It supports a wide range of PDF features, including encryption, digital signatures, and form filling.
Aspose.PDF also provides excellent support for text and graphics.
Price
Aspose.PDF offers flexible pricing options for their Java PDF generation library. They offer both perpetual licenses and subscription-based plans.
The perpetual license starts at $1199 per developer, which includes one year of support and updates. After the first year, you can purchase an annual maintenance plan for 20% of the license cost.
Aspose.PDF also offers subscription-based plans, which start at $1999 per month, with unlimited developers. The subscription plans include all updates and support, and you can cancel at any time.
Compared to other commercial Java PDF generation libraries, Aspose.PDF's pricing is relatively high. However, it offers a wide range of features and capabilities that may be worth the investment for businesses with more advanced PDF generation needs.
Use external API to Generate PDFs
If you don't want to use a Java PDF generation library, you can also use a PDF generation API to generate PDF documents in your Java application.
DocsFold allows you to easily integrate PDF generation into your Java application without the hassle of learning how to integrate a library. You can use our REST API to generate PDFs from reusable HTML templates.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you need to generate PDF documents in your Java application, there are several libraries available, both free and paid, that can help you get the job done.
Whether you need to generate PDFs from HTML or XML data, from data sources, or programmatically, there's a Java PDF generation library that can meet your needs.
