COMPARISON

PeachPDF vs IronPDF: Technical Comparison Guide

Published:

Choosing the right PDF library for .NET applications involves evaluating rendering capabilities, API design, feature depth, and long-term maintainability. This technical comparison looks at PeachPDF and IronPDF across the dimensions that matter most to professional .NET developers and architects planning PDF generation workflows for the future.

What Is PeachPDF?

PeachPDF is a relatively new option in the .NET ecosystem designed for developers needing HTML-to-PDF conversion. The library offers a pure .NET implementation, setting itself apart by not relying on external processes. This managed approach makes PeachPDF a lightweight choice for projects seeking straightforward deployment across platforms where .NET is supported.

As an open-source library licensed under BSD-3-Clause, PeachPDF allows developers unrestricted access to modify and adjust the library to specific needs. However, its development status is ongoing, which means both exciting possibilities and notable limitations. The smaller user base means community support may be limited, making it challenging to find extensive documentation or get rapid assistance when issues arise.

What Is IronPDF?

IronPDF is an established .NET PDF library with over 40 million NuGet downloads. The library uses an embedded Google Chromium rendering engine to ensure high-fidelity HTML-to-PDF conversions that accurately preserve layout and styling. IronPDF provides a full feature set including digital signatures, PDF/A compliance, form filling, text extraction, and advanced security options.

IronPDF supports modern .NET frameworks and offers full compatibility with .NET 10 and C# 14 for teams building applications targeting future deployment timelines. The library includes professional support with dedicated assistance for enterprise implementations.

Core Architecture Comparison

The fundamental difference between PeachPDF and IronPDF lies in their rendering approaches. Understanding these architectural choices helps teams make informed decisions about which library best fits their requirements.

AspectPeachPDFIronPDF
ImplementationPure .NET managed codeManaged with Chromium engine
Rendering EngineBasic HTML parserFull Google Chromium
External DependenciesNoneMinimal, platform-based
License ModelOpen Source (BSD-3-Clause)Commercial
Development StatusIn developmentMature, stable releases
User BaseSmall communityLarge (40M+ downloads)
Support ModelCommunity-drivenProfessional dedicated support

PeachPDF's pure .NET core ensures deployment in all .NET-supported environments without external dependencies. This can simplify containerization and reduce deployment complexity. However, the trade-off appears in rendering fidelity—basic HTML parsing cannot match the pixel-perfect accuracy of a full browser engine.

IronPDF's Chromium-based approach delivers rendering that matches what developers see in Chrome DevTools. This proves particularly valuable when converting complex web applications, dashboards, or styled reports where CSS Grid, Flexbox, and JavaScript execution affect the final output.

HTML-to-PDF Conversion

Converting HTML content to PDF represents the most common use case for both libraries. The API design and rendering capabilities differ significantly between the two solutions.

PeachPDF HTML-to-PDF Implementation

PeachPDF uses a converter-based pattern where developers instantiate an HtmlToPdfConverter and call the Convert method:

using PeachPDF;
using System.IO;

class Program
{
    static void Main()
    {
        var converter = new HtmlToPdfConverter();
        var html = "<html><body><h1>Hello World</h1></body></html>";
        var pdf = converter.Convert(html);
        File.WriteAllBytes("output.pdf", pdf);
    }
}
using PeachPDF;
using System.IO;

class Program
{
    static void Main()
    {
        var converter = new HtmlToPdfConverter();
        var html = "<html><body><h1>Hello World</h1></body></html>";
        var pdf = converter.Convert(html);
        File.WriteAllBytes("output.pdf", pdf);
    }
}
$vbLabelText   $csharpLabel

The converter returns a byte array, requiring manual file operations to persist the output. This pattern works for straightforward conversions but requires additional code for common operations like saving directly to disk.

IronPDF HTML-to-PDF Implementation

IronPDF employs the ChromePdfRenderer class, which provides a fluent API with built-in save operations:

using IronPdf;

class Program
{
    static void Main()
    {
        var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();
        var html = "<html><body><h1>Hello World</h1></body></html>";
        var pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf(html);
        pdf.SaveAs("output.pdf");
    }
}
using IronPdf;

class Program
{
    static void Main()
    {
        var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();
        var html = "<html><body><h1>Hello World</h1></body></html>";
        var pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf(html);
        pdf.SaveAs("output.pdf");
    }
}
$vbLabelText   $csharpLabel

The RenderHtmlAsPdf method returns a PdfDocument object that encapsulates the rendered content and provides methods for saving, manipulation, and metadata access. This object-oriented approach integrates naturally with subsequent operations like adding watermarks, merging documents, or applying security settings.

IronPDF's Chromium engine supports HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript during conversion, enabling accurate rendering of modern web content including animations, responsive layouts, and dynamically generated elements.

URL-to-PDF Conversion

Converting live web pages to PDF requires fetching remote content and handling JavaScript execution. The two libraries handle this scenario differently.

PeachPDF URL Conversion

PeachPDF provides URL conversion through its converter class:

using PeachPDF;
using System.IO;

class Program
{
    static void Main()
    {
        var converter = new HtmlToPdfConverter();
        var url = "https://www.example.com";
        var pdf = converter.ConvertUrl(url);
        File.WriteAllBytes("webpage.pdf", pdf);
    }
}
using PeachPDF;
using System.IO;

class Program
{
    static void Main()
    {
        var converter = new HtmlToPdfConverter();
        var url = "https://www.example.com";
        var pdf = converter.ConvertUrl(url);
        File.WriteAllBytes("webpage.pdf", pdf);
    }
}
$vbLabelText   $csharpLabel

The implementation handles basic URL fetching but may struggle with pages that rely heavily on JavaScript for content rendering or that require specific wait conditions before the page is fully loaded.

IronPDF URL Conversion

IronPDF's URL-to-PDF conversion leverages the Chromium engine's full JavaScript runtime:

using IronPdf;

class Program
{
    static void Main()
    {
        var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();
        var url = "https://www.example.com";
        var pdf = renderer.RenderUrlAsPdf(url);
        pdf.SaveAs("webpage.pdf");
    }
}
using IronPdf;

class Program
{
    static void Main()
    {
        var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();
        var url = "https://www.example.com";
        var pdf = renderer.RenderUrlAsPdf(url);
        pdf.SaveAs("webpage.pdf");
    }
}
$vbLabelText   $csharpLabel

For pages with dynamic content, IronPDF provides rendering options to control JavaScript execution timing:

var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();
renderer.RenderingOptions.EnableJavaScript = true;
renderer.RenderingOptions.WaitFor.JavaScript(3000);

var pdf = renderer.RenderUrlAsPdf("https://example.com");
pdf.SaveAs("webpage.pdf");
var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();
renderer.RenderingOptions.EnableJavaScript = true;
renderer.RenderingOptions.WaitFor.JavaScript(3000);

var pdf = renderer.RenderUrlAsPdf("https://example.com");
pdf.SaveAs("webpage.pdf");
$vbLabelText   $csharpLabel

The WaitFor.JavaScript method allows specifying a delay to ensure client-side rendering completes before PDF generation begins. This proves essential for single-page applications or content that loads asynchronously.

Headers and Footers

Adding headers and footers to PDF documents enhances professional presentation and enables page numbering, branding, and document metadata display. The implementation approaches differ substantially between the libraries.

PeachPDF Headers and Footers

PeachPDF provides string-based header and footer properties on the converter:

using PeachPDF;
using System.IO;

class Program
{
    static void Main()
    {
        var converter = new HtmlToPdfConverter();
        converter.Header = "<div style='text-align:center'>My Header</div>";
        converter.Footer = "<div style='text-align:center'>Page {page}</div>";
        var html = "<html><body><h1>Document Content</h1></body></html>";
        var pdf = converter.Convert(html);
        File.WriteAllBytes("document.pdf", pdf);
    }
}
using PeachPDF;
using System.IO;

class Program
{
    static void Main()
    {
        var converter = new HtmlToPdfConverter();
        converter.Header = "<div style='text-align:center'>My Header</div>";
        converter.Footer = "<div style='text-align:center'>Page {page}</div>";
        var html = "<html><body><h1>Document Content</h1></body></html>";
        var pdf = converter.Convert(html);
        File.WriteAllBytes("document.pdf", pdf);
    }
}
$vbLabelText   $csharpLabel

The {page} placeholder provides basic page numbering. The implementation handles simple scenarios but lacks advanced customization options for complex header layouts or conditional formatting.

IronPDF Headers and Footers

IronPDF offers HTML-based headers and footers with full CSS support and multiple merge fields:

using IronPdf;
using IronPdf.Rendering;

class Program
{
    static void Main()
    {
        var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();
        renderer.RenderingOptions.HtmlHeader = new HtmlHeaderFooter() 
        { 
            HtmlFragment = "<div style='text-align:center'>My Header</div>" 
        };
        renderer.RenderingOptions.HtmlFooter = new HtmlHeaderFooter() 
        { 
            HtmlFragment = "<div style='text-align:center'>Page {page}</div>" 
        };
        var html = "<html><body><h1>Document Content</h1></body></html>";
        var pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf(html);
        pdf.SaveAs("document.pdf");
    }
}
using IronPdf;
using IronPdf.Rendering;

class Program
{
    static void Main()
    {
        var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();
        renderer.RenderingOptions.HtmlHeader = new HtmlHeaderFooter() 
        { 
            HtmlFragment = "<div style='text-align:center'>My Header</div>" 
        };
        renderer.RenderingOptions.HtmlFooter = new HtmlHeaderFooter() 
        { 
            HtmlFragment = "<div style='text-align:center'>Page {page}</div>" 
        };
        var html = "<html><body><h1>Document Content</h1></body></html>";
        var pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf(html);
        pdf.SaveAs("document.pdf");
    }
}
$vbLabelText   $csharpLabel

IronPDF supports additional merge fields including {total-pages}, {url}, {date}, {time}, {html-title}, and {pdf-title}. The HtmlHeaderFooter class also accepts a MaxHeight property for controlling the header/footer dimensions:

renderer.RenderingOptions.HtmlHeader = new HtmlHeaderFooter
{
    HtmlFragment = @"<div style='text-align:center; font-size:10pt;'>Company Report</div>",
    MaxHeight = 30
};

renderer.RenderingOptions.HtmlFooter = new HtmlHeaderFooter
{
    HtmlFragment = @"<div style='text-align:center; font-size:9pt;'>Page {page} of {total-pages}</div>",
    MaxHeight = 25
};
renderer.RenderingOptions.HtmlHeader = new HtmlHeaderFooter
{
    HtmlFragment = @"<div style='text-align:center; font-size:10pt;'>Company Report</div>",
    MaxHeight = 30
};

renderer.RenderingOptions.HtmlFooter = new HtmlHeaderFooter
{
    HtmlFragment = @"<div style='text-align:center; font-size:9pt;'>Page {page} of {total-pages}</div>",
    MaxHeight = 25
};
$vbLabelText   $csharpLabel

Feature Comparison Matrix

Beyond basic conversion, PDF libraries must support document manipulation, security, and advanced formatting. This comparison highlights the feature gap between the two libraries based on their documented capabilities.

FeaturePeachPDFIronPDF
HTML to PDFBasicFull Chromium
URL to PDFLimitedSupported
CSS Grid/FlexboxNoYes
JavaScript ExecutionLimitedFull ES2024
Merge PDFsYesYes
Split PDFsLimitedYes
WatermarksLimitedFull HTML
Headers/FootersBasicFull HTML
Digital SignaturesNoYes
PDF/A ComplianceNoYes
Form FillingLimitedYes
Text ExtractionBasicYes
Image ExtractionNoYes
Password ProtectionLimitedYes
Async SupportLimitedYes
Cross-PlatformUnknownWindows, Linux, macOS, Docker

Digital Signatures and Security

Enterprise applications frequently require cryptographic signatures and document security. These capabilities separate mature PDF libraries from basic conversion tools.

PeachPDF does not currently support digital signatures, which limits its applicability for document workflows requiring authentication or legal compliance.

IronPDF provides comprehensive digital signature capabilities using X.509 certificates:

using IronPdf;
using IronPdf.Signing;

var pdf = PdfDocument.FromFile("document.pdf");

var signature = new PdfSignature("certificate.pfx", "password")
{
    SigningReason = "Document Approval",
    SigningLocation = "New York"
};

pdf.Sign(signature);
pdf.SaveAs("signed.pdf");
using IronPdf;
using IronPdf.Signing;

var pdf = PdfDocument.FromFile("document.pdf");

var signature = new PdfSignature("certificate.pfx", "password")
{
    SigningReason = "Document Approval",
    SigningLocation = "New York"
};

pdf.Sign(signature);
pdf.SaveAs("signed.pdf");
$vbLabelText   $csharpLabel

For password protection and access control, IronPDF exposes granular security settings:

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

pdf.SecuritySettings.OwnerPassword = "owner123";
pdf.SecuritySettings.UserPassword = "user123";
pdf.SecuritySettings.AllowUserCopyPasteContent = false;
pdf.SecuritySettings.AllowUserPrinting = PdfPrintSecurity.NoPrint;

pdf.SaveAs("protected.pdf");
var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();
var pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<h1>Confidential</h1>");

pdf.SecuritySettings.OwnerPassword = "owner123";
pdf.SecuritySettings.UserPassword = "user123";
pdf.SecuritySettings.AllowUserCopyPasteContent = false;
pdf.SecuritySettings.AllowUserPrinting = PdfPrintSecurity.NoPrint;

pdf.SaveAs("protected.pdf");
$vbLabelText   $csharpLabel

PDF Manipulation Operations

Working with existing PDFs requires loading, modifying, and merging capabilities. Both libraries support basic operations, but the depth of functionality varies.

Loading and Modifying PDFs

PeachPDF approach:

using PeachPDF;

var document = PdfReader.LoadFromFile("input.pdf");
document.AddPage();
document.Save("modified.pdf");
using PeachPDF;

var document = PdfReader.LoadFromFile("input.pdf");
document.AddPage();
document.Save("modified.pdf");
$vbLabelText   $csharpLabel

IronPDF approach:

using IronPdf;

var pdf = PdfDocument.FromFile("input.pdf");

var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();
var newPage = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<h1>New Page</h1>");
pdf.AppendPdf(newPage);

pdf.ApplyWatermark("<div style='color: red; font-size: 48pt;'>DRAFT</div>");

pdf.SaveAs("modified.pdf");
using IronPdf;

var pdf = PdfDocument.FromFile("input.pdf");

var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();
var newPage = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<h1>New Page</h1>");
pdf.AppendPdf(newPage);

pdf.ApplyWatermark("<div style='color: red; font-size: 48pt;'>DRAFT</div>");

pdf.SaveAs("modified.pdf");
$vbLabelText   $csharpLabel

IronPDF enables adding HTML-rendered content as new pages and applying watermarks using full HTML/CSS formatting.

Merging Multiple PDFs

PeachPDF merge:

using PeachPDF;

var doc1 = PdfReader.LoadFromFile("doc1.pdf");
var doc2 = PdfReader.LoadFromFile("doc2.pdf");
doc1.MergeWith(doc2);
doc1.Save("merged.pdf");
using PeachPDF;

var doc1 = PdfReader.LoadFromFile("doc1.pdf");
var doc2 = PdfReader.LoadFromFile("doc2.pdf");
doc1.MergeWith(doc2);
doc1.Save("merged.pdf");
$vbLabelText   $csharpLabel

IronPDF merge:

using IronPdf;

var pdf1 = PdfDocument.FromFile("doc1.pdf");
var pdf2 = PdfDocument.FromFile("doc2.pdf");

var merged = PdfDocument.Merge(pdf1, pdf2);
merged.SaveAs("merged.pdf");
using IronPdf;

var pdf1 = PdfDocument.FromFile("doc1.pdf");
var pdf2 = PdfDocument.FromFile("doc2.pdf");

var merged = PdfDocument.Merge(pdf1, pdf2);
merged.SaveAs("merged.pdf");
$vbLabelText   $csharpLabel

IronPDF's static Merge method accepts multiple documents and produces a new combined PDF without modifying the source documents. The library also supports splitting PDFs and extracting specific page ranges.

Asynchronous Operations

Modern .NET applications benefit from async/await patterns for I/O-bound operations. This capability affects performance in web applications and services handling concurrent PDF generation requests.

PeachPDF provides primarily synchronous operations:

var document = PdfDocument.Create();
document.AddHtmlContent(html);
var document = PdfDocument.Create();
document.AddHtmlContent(html);
$vbLabelText   $csharpLabel

IronPDF supports async PDF generation:

using IronPdf;

var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();
var pdf = await renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdfAsync("<h1>Async PDF</h1>");
pdf.SaveAs("async_output.pdf");
using IronPdf;

var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();
var pdf = await renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdfAsync("<h1>Async PDF</h1>");
pdf.SaveAs("async_output.pdf");
$vbLabelText   $csharpLabel

Async support enables efficient handling of multiple concurrent PDF generation requests without blocking threads, improving throughput in ASP.NET Core applications and background services.

API Mapping for PeachPDF Migration

Teams evaluating a transition from PeachPDF to IronPDF can reference this mapping of equivalent operations:

PeachPDFIronPDF
PdfDocument.Create()new ChromePdfRenderer()
document.AddHtmlContent(html)renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf(html)
document.Save(path)pdf.SaveAs(path)
document.ToByteArray()pdf.BinaryData
PdfReader.LoadFromFile(path)PdfDocument.FromFile(path)
document.AddPage()pdf.AddPdfPages(newPdf)
document.SetMetadata()pdf.MetaData
document.MergeWith(other)PdfDocument.Merge(pdfs)

The primary pattern difference involves IronPDF's separation of the renderer (which converts content) from the document (which represents the PDF). This separation enables configuring rendering options once and reusing them across multiple conversions.

When Teams Consider PeachPDF Migration

Several factors prompt development teams to evaluate alternatives to PeachPDF:

Rendering limitations become apparent when applications must accurately reproduce complex CSS layouts, responsive designs, or JavaScript-driven content. PeachPDF's basic HTML parsing cannot match browser-engine fidelity for sophisticated web content.

Feature requirements expand as applications mature. Digital signatures, PDF/A compliance for archival, form filling, and advanced security represent capabilities that PeachPDF currently lacks. Building workarounds for missing features adds technical debt and maintenance burden.

Support considerations affect production deployments. Community-driven support for a newer library may not provide the response times or expertise required for mission-critical applications. Professional support with SLAs offers predictability for enterprise operations.

Documentation depth impacts developer productivity. Extensive tutorials, code examples, and API references accelerate implementation and reduce troubleshooting time. IronPDF's documentation and tutorials provide comprehensive coverage of common scenarios.

Strengths and Trade-offs

PeachPDF Strengths

  • Pure .NET implementation without external dependencies
  • Open-source licensing with no per-developer costs
  • Straightforward API for basic HTML-to-PDF conversion
  • Lightweight deployment footprint

PeachPDF Limitations

  • Basic HTML rendering without full CSS3 support
  • Limited JavaScript execution capability
  • No digital signature functionality
  • Smaller community and documentation resources
  • Uncertain roadmap as a newer library

IronPDF Strengths

  • Full Chromium rendering engine for pixel-perfect output
  • Comprehensive feature set including signatures, forms, and security
  • Extensive documentation with code examples
  • Professional support with dedicated assistance
  • Active development with regular updates
  • Cross-platform deployment including Docker and cloud environments

IronPDF Considerations

  • Commercial licensing model requires budget allocation
  • Chromium dependency increases deployment size
  • Requires license key configuration for production use

Conclusion

PeachPDF offers a lightweight, open-source option for teams with basic HTML-to-PDF requirements and tight budget constraints. Its pure .NET implementation simplifies deployment, and the permissive license removes cost barriers.

IronPDF provides the rendering accuracy, feature depth, and professional support that production applications typically require. The Chromium engine ensures that complex web content converts reliably, while comprehensive security and manipulation features support enterprise document workflows.

For teams planning PDF generation capabilities in .NET applications targeting future deployment, IronPDF's mature architecture, extensive feature set, and active maintenance make it a strong choice for long-term development investments. The library's compatibility with .NET 10 and modern C# features ensures applications remain current as the .NET ecosystem evolves.

For additional implementation guidance, explore the IronPDF HTML-to-PDF tutorial and code examples covering common PDF generation scenarios.