Why IronSoftware Libraries Are a Modern Alternative to SDKs for Application Development

IronPDF is a powerful .NET library for PDF creation, editing, and conversion. It replaces heavyweight PDF SDKs like iTextSharp, PDFTron, and Aspose.PDF by offering a clean, HTML-first API that runs on any platform supported by .NET, including Windows, Linux, macOS, Docker, Azure, AWS Lambda, and .NET MAUI.

Where traditional PDF SDKs require extensive configuration, IronPDF provides a straightforward development process, reducing dependency issues and shortening development cycles.

Key Features

• HTML-to-PDF using a Chromium rendering engine
• Merge, split, reorder, rotate, and extract pages
• PDF form filling + reading
• PDF security (encryption, permissions, passwords)
• Watermarks, stamping, and digital signatures
• Works without Adobe Acrobat or external executables
• Support for ASP.NET Core, MAUI, Lambda, and Linux containers

Comparison to Traditional PDF SDKs

IronPDF Code Example – Generate a PDF from HTML

using IronPdf;

var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();
var pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<h1>Hello World</h1><p>This is a PDF.</p>");
pdf.SaveAs("example.pdf");

using IronPdf;

var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();
var pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<h1>Hello World</h1><p>This is a PDF.</p>");
pdf.SaveAs("example.pdf");

Output

Comparison with a traditional PDF SDK (iText example)

// iText (Java) - requires JDK setup, dependencies, boilerplate
PdfWriter writer = new PdfWriter("example.pdf");
PdfDocument pdf = new PdfDocument(writer);
Document doc = new Document(pdf);
doc.add(new Paragraph("Hello World"));
doc.close();

// iText (Java) - requires JDK setup, dependencies, boilerplate
PdfWriter writer = new PdfWriter("example.pdf");
PdfDocument pdf = new PdfDocument(writer);
Document doc = new Document(pdf);
doc.add(new Paragraph("Hello World"));
doc.close();

Use Cases

• Web applications generating invoices, reports, and statements
• Financial systems requiring secure PDF generation
• Document-heavy enterprise software
• Automated report generation inside Azure Functions or AWS Lambda
• Converting HTML-based emails or screens into PDF

IronBarcode makes barcode generation and reading extremely simple for any .NET software application. Unlike many barcode SDKs that rely on platform-specific drivers or hardware integrations, IronBarcode is completely software-based and runs on desktop, cloud, or mobile through .NET MAUI. The code works consistently across platforms.

Key Features

• Generate 1D and 2D barcodes (QR, Code128, EAN, DataMatrix)
• Read from images, PDFs, scanners, and streams
• Add barcodes directly into PDFs using IronPDF
• High-speed scanning with noise correction
• Export barcodes as PNG, JPEG, SVG, GIF

Comparison to Traditional Barcode SDKs

Generate a Barcode

using IronBarCode;

var barcode = BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode("1234567890", BarcodeWriterEncoding.Code128);
barcode.SaveAsPng("barcode.png");

using IronBarCode;

var barcode = BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode("1234567890", BarcodeWriterEncoding.Code128);
barcode.SaveAsPng("barcode.png");

Barcode Output

Read a Barcode

var result = BarcodeReader.Read("barcode.png");
Console.WriteLine(result.Value);

var result = BarcodeReader.Read("barcode.png");
Console.WriteLine(result.Value);

Other barcode SDKs often need special hardware platforms, but IronBarcode remains software-only and legally compliant with common standards.

Use Cases

• Warehouse and logistics apps
• QR code generation for websites or invoices
• Inventory and asset management
• Retail POS systems
• Document automation (QR headers or embedded IDs)

IronXL provides full Excel file reading, writing, and manipulation without requiring Microsoft Office or Interop. It outperforms open source software libraries like ClosedXML/NPOI and avoids the platform restrictions of Office automation SDKs. This simplifies the development process.

Key Features

• Create, read, and edit XLSX files
• Fast, memory-efficient processing
• Formulas, formatting, styles, and charts
• CSV, TSV, and DataTable integration
• No Excel installation required

Comparison to Traditional Excel SDKs

Create an Excel File

using IronXL;

var workbook = WorkBook.Create();
var sheet = workbook.CreateWorkSheet("Data");
sheet["A1"].Value = "Hello";
sheet["B1"].Value = 42;
workbook.SaveAs("output.xlsx");

using IronXL;

var workbook = WorkBook.Create();
var sheet = workbook.CreateWorkSheet("Data");
sheet["A1"].Value = "Hello";
sheet["B1"].Value = 42;
workbook.SaveAs("output.xlsx");

Output

Use Cases

• Import/export systems
• Financial reports and dashboards
• Data consumption and ETL flows
• Spreadsheet automation in the cloud

IronWord is a lightweight .NET library for creating and manipulating Word documents without Microsoft Word. It directly competes with libraries like Aspose.Words and Syncfusion’s Word SDK, but with simpler licensing, fewer dependencies, and a cleaner API. This allows software developers to integrate new features more quickly.

Key Features

• Create DOCX documents
• Edit paragraphs, runs, headings, images, and tables
• Load and modify existing Word files
• Export Word to PDF (with IronPDF)
• Compatible with .NET 6+, Linux, macOS, Windows

Comparison to Traditional Word SDKs

Create a Word Document

using IronWord;

TextContent textRun = new TextContent("This is a test document.");

Paragraph paragraph = new Paragraph();
paragraph.AddChild(textRun);

// Create a new Word document
WordDocument doc = new WordDocument(paragraph);

// Export docx
doc.SaveAs("document.docx");

using IronWord;

TextContent textRun = new TextContent("This is a test document.");

Paragraph paragraph = new Paragraph();
paragraph.AddChild(textRun);

// Create a new Word document
WordDocument doc = new WordDocument(paragraph);

// Export docx
doc.SaveAs("document.docx");

Output

Use Cases

• Document generation systems
• Business reports and letters
• Automated documentation in enterprise apps
• MAUI apps producing Word output
• Legal and compliance documentation