Comparison
Papyr vs DocRaptor
DocRaptor is a well-established HTML-to-PDF API built around the PrinceXML engine. Papyr uses Chromium — the same engine as Chrome — so your HTML renders exactly as it does in a browser.
- ✓ 100 free docs/month, no card required
- ✓ Full Chromium rendering — modern CSS works
- ✓ Built-in invoice and report templates
- ✓ Simple REST API — no SDK needed
- ✓ 3–5× cheaper at equivalent volume
- — PrinceXML engine (different from browser rendering)
- — Only 5 free test documents (watermarked)
- — $75/month for 1,000 real documents
- — SDK-first API, more integration overhead
- — Good choice for complex print-specific layouts
Feature comparison
| Feature | Papyr | DocRaptor |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier | 100 docs/month, no card required | 5 test documents only (watermarked) |
| Entry paid plan | $19/month — 1,000 docs | $15/month — 125 docs |
| 1,000 docs/month | $19/month | ~$75/month (1,250 doc tier) |
| 10,000 docs/month | $49/month | $149/month |
| Rendering engine | Chromium (full CSS support) | PrinceXML (PDF-specific, limited CSS) |
| CSS support | Flexbox, Grid, custom fonts, modern CSS | Mostly supported, but browser CSS may differ |
| Avg response time | Under 1 second | Varies (Prince engine overhead) |
| Built-in templates | Invoice, receipt, report (Handlebars) | No built-in templates |
| Setup time | One POST request, no SDK required | SDK required for most languages |
| HIPAA / compliance | Coming soon | Yes (enterprise plans) |
Why Chromium over PrinceXML?
DocRaptor uses PrinceXML — a purpose-built PDF engine that predates modern CSS. It does an excellent job with print-specific features like running headers and page counters, but it renders HTML differently than a browser does. If you designed your document in Chrome and it looks right there, PrinceXML may surprise you.
Papyr uses Chromium — the same engine that powers Chrome, Edge, and most modern browsers. What you see in your browser is what you get in your PDF. Flexbox, CSS Grid, custom fonts, CSS variables, modern selectors — all of it works because it is the browser.
Pricing comparison at real volumes
| Volume | Papyr | DocRaptor | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 docs/mo | Free | $15/mo (125 doc tier) | 100% savings |
| 1,000 docs/mo | $19/mo | ~$75/mo | ~75% savings |
| 10,000 docs/mo | $49/mo | $149/mo | ~67% savings |
| 100,000 docs/mo | $149/mo | $1,000/mo+ | ~85% savings |
When DocRaptor might be the right choice
DocRaptor is a good fit if you need print-specific features like running headers and footers with page numbers, mixed page sizes in a single document, or PDF/A and PDF/UA accessibility compliance for regulated industries. PrinceXML has strong print CSS support. If those are your requirements, DocRaptor is worth evaluating. For most developers building invoices, reports, receipts, or certificates, Papyr will be faster to integrate and significantly cheaper.
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