5 Best PDF Generation APIs in 2026

Most people who look for a PDF generation API want the same thing. A clean template, a few personal fields, and the ability to turn that into hundreds of PDFs without losing the format or their patience. Some do it with Python or Node. Others want the same result without writing code at all, so they plug an API into tools like Make or Zapier and let it run on its own.

I’m Pedro, the founder of Templated, and I test every PDF generation API I can get my hands on. It is not a strange hobby. It is part of the job. I built Templated for this exact use case, and I always look for ways to make it better for the people who rely on it. So I try different workflows, break a few things, fix them, then try again. And that is why I am writing this guide myself. I want you to have a clear picture of how these APIs work in real cases so you can pick the one that fits your work needs without guessing.

Let’s walk through the best options for 2026.

1. Templated

Templated is an Image and PDF generation API I built for making document automation simple. What makes Templated stand out is the way everything works together. The API can handle thousands of PDFs at scale without breaking, and the Canva-style editor gives you the freedom to shape your document exactly the way your brand needs. On top of that, the AI feature can create a starting layout for you when you don’t feel like building one from scratch. Let’s walk through the features.

Key Features

Template Creation and Editing

• Drag and drop editor that anyone can use
• Choose from a large template library for invoices, certificates, reports and more
• Upload your own company PDF and personalise it in bulk without any hassle
• AI PDF template builder that creates a layout from scratch based on your description, and you can refine it further in the editor
• Add text, images, shapes, tables and data fields wherever you need
• Full control over spacing, colours, fonts and layout so your documents stay true to your brand identity

Automation and API

• Simple JSON based PDF generation API
• Generate single or bulk PDFs from the same template
• Pixel accurate rendering for better print quality
• Multi page document support
• Choose from PDF, JPG, PNG or WebP
• Works with Python, Node, PHP and other languages
• Webhook support for async rendering

Works Without Code

• Integrates with Make, Zapier, n8n, Airtable and Google Sheets
• Built in spreadsheet system for quick bulk generation
• No technical setup needed for basic workflows
• Ideal for teams who want automation without hiring a developer

Use Cases

• Invoices
• Certificates
• Contracts
• Reports
• Shipping labels
• Marketing PDFs
• Any document that needs personalisation at scale

Pro: Simple API and Easy drag-and-drop editor works for everyone.

Con: none major. Built for broad use.

Pricing

You can start with 50 free credits. Paid plans begin at $29/month with one thousand render credits.

2. PDFMonkey

PDFMonkey is another popular PDF generation API. You create the layout once in their dashboard, send JSON data to the API, and it turns that into a clean, styled PDF every single time. It works well for invoices, reports, summaries, receipts, or anything that repeats in bulk. Let’s look at the features that make it practical.

Key Features

Template Creation and Dashboard Tools

• Build and manage templates directly in the dashboard
• Create layouts with HTML and CSS for full visual control
• Real PDF preview inside the editor so you see the exact output before sending data
• Add external assets like fonts, CSS frameworks, icons or chart libraries

Data Driven PDFs

• Generate documents by sending JSON data to the API
• Works well for simple fields or complex structures like invoice line items

Automation and Integrations

• Simple REST API that fits into any backend
• Integrates with Make, Zapier, Airtable and similar tools for no code workflows

Pro: Good balance of HTML/CSS control and visual template editing.

Con: Less friendly for non-technical users compared to drag-and-drop editors.

Pricing

You can start with twenty free PDFs each month. Paid plans start at €5 and go up to €300 depending on how many documents you need to generate, so you can choose the tier that fits your workload.

3. PDF Generator API

PDF Generator API uses a WYSIWYG editor, short for “what you see is what you get,” so the document you design on the screen is the same one the system produces. It feels similar to tools many teams already use, so you don’t have to wrestle with layout code to get a clean result. Let’s look at the features.

Key Features

Template Creation and Editing

• WYSIWYG editor for creating templates without coding
• Option to build layouts fully in HTML and CSS for complete flexibility
• Add repeating tables, content blocks, barcodes and QR codes
• Reusable templates to keep structure and branding consistent across teams

Data and API Automation

• Generate PDFs by sending JSON to a simple REST API
• Supports detailed data structures like line items and nested content
• Reliable for high-volume generation where consistency matters
• HTML-to-PDF engine for complex layouts

Team and Workflow Tools

• Workspaces and access controls for multi-user environments
• End-users can modify templates without developer involvement
• Enterprise and on-prem deployment options
• ISO 27001 certified, HIPAA and GDPR compliant

No-Code Friendly

Works with Make, Zapier, Airtable, Bubble and more

Pro: Supports both visual editor and HTML templates. Flexible for different workflows.

Con: Editing templates may require some technical work if you go beyond basics.

Pricing

You can start with a free sandbox account that includes 30 days of access and 2,500 merges. Paid plans begin at $59 a month and scale based on how many documents you need to generate.

4. APITemplate

APITemplate PDF generation API focuses on flexibility. You can build templates visually with a WYSIWYG editor or switch to HTML and CSS when you want full control over layout. The tool lets you start simple or go deep depending on your workflow. Once the template is ready, you pair it with your data and generate clean PDFs or images at scale. If you’re searching for APITemplate alternatives, you can find them here.

Let’s walk through the features.

Key Features

Template Creation and Editing

• WYSIWYG editor for building templates without writing code
• Side-by-side preview panel so you can see changes instantly
• HTML/CSS/JavaScript editor for advanced layouts
• Convert full webpages or raw HTML into PDFs
• JSON editor for testing dynamic data
• Configure header, footer, margins and page orientation

PDF & Image Automation

• Generate documents from templates, HTML, URLs or raw content
• Supports pixel-accurate output for invoices, reports, certificates and more
• Sync and async processing for high-volume workloads
• Regional endpoints for US, EU, Singapore and Australia
• Supports CSS, JavaScript, and modern web styling

Integrations & No-Code Tools

• Works with Make, Zapier, Bubble, N8n, Airtable and UiPath
• Supports Python, C#, Java, PHP and JavaScript
• REST API available for custom pipelines

Pro: Lets you mix quick visual editing with full HTML/CSS/JS control. Useful for simple and complex docs alike.

Con: Custom styling or advanced layouts require HTML/CSS knowledge.

Pricing

You can start with a free tier to test the workflow. Paid plans begin at $19 a month and increase as you scale your document volume.

5. Nutrient PDF Generation API

Nutrient takes a straightforward approach. Instead of using a visual editor, everything starts with HTML and CSS, which makes it feel familiar if you already build pages or components in your daily workflow. You write the layout, send your assets with the request, and the API returns a clean, accurate, pixel-matched PDF

Let’s walk through the features.

Key Features

HTML-to-PDF Engine

• Convert raw HTML, CSS and JavaScript into PDFs
• Pixel-accurate rendering that keeps your layout intact
• Supports external assets like CSS files, images and fonts

Advanced Styling & Assets

• Add custom fonts (TTF) for branded typography
• Build multi-page layouts with page breaks
• Add headers and footers with page numbers
• Include interactive elements like fillable form fields

Flexible Output & Workflow

• Generate PDFs using a simple POST request
• Supports sync and async processing for heavy loads
• Create documents directly from HTML files or URLs
• Sample invoice, quote, report and certificate templates available for download with codes.

Developer-Friendly Tools

• Clear examples for Shell, JavaScript, Python, PHP, Java and C#
• Step-by-step documentation for building templates
• Works with Postman for one-click testing

Security

• HTTPS encryption for all requests
• No input or output documents stored on their servers
• Optional self-hosted version for stricter environments

Pro: Great for developers. Accepts raw HTML/CSS and delivers pixel-perfect PDFs with full styling and layout control.

Con: Not suitable for no coders.

Pricing

You can start with 200 free credits a month. Paid plans begin at $67 for 1,000 credits and go up to $399 for 10,000. Bigger volumes are handled through custom pricing.

Wrapping Up

In this blog you’ve explored 5 solid PDF generation APIs and how each one fits a different kind of workflow. Some people want a visual editor, some want full control with HTML, and others want something that just works inside their automation tools. Every API here offers a free trial, so you don’t have to guess. You can run a few tests before committing to a paid plan and see how it feels in your real setup.

And if Templated caught your eye, you can try it right now with 50 free credits. Whether you write code or avoid it completely, you can build templates, personalise them, and generate PDFs at scale without friction. We’ve also created a few tutorials that might help you plug Templated into your workflow. You can check them out here:

• Generate PDFs in Python with Libraries

• How to Convert HTML to PDF with C#

• How to Convert HTML to PDF using Flying Saucer

• How to Convert HTML to PDF with Python-pdfkit

Try whichever matches the way you work. Once you see the flow click into place, you’ll know exactly which API deserves a spot in your stack.