PDF Vector vs PDF.co
PDF.co is a credit-based PDF utility API for conversion, editing, merging, OCR, barcodes and data extraction, used by developers and no-code automation builders.
Facts about PDF.co come from its public pricing and documentation pages, checked on November 11, 2026. Prices and features change, so confirm on their site before you decide.
Feature and pricing comparison
| PDF Vector | PDF.co | |
|---|---|---|
| Product type | Developer API, TypeScript SDK, MCP server, no-code actions | Developer API, no-code integrations, web tools |
| Input formats | 27 formats, including PDF, Office, images, CSV, HTML, EPUB | PDF and scans; Office, HTML, images and email for conversion |
| Output | Markdown (optionally per page), HTML on Max; JSON via Extract; answers via Ask | JSON, CSV, XML, XLSX, HTML, text, searchable PDF |
| Schema-based extraction | Yes, any JSON Schema per request | Templates and an invoice parser with custom fields |
| Layout and coordinates | Tables kept in markdown; no bounding boxes | Layout-preserving text; text positions |
| Integrations | Zapier, Make, n8n, MCP server, REST from any language | Zapier, Make, n8n, MCP server |
| Deployment and regions | Cloud (shared US instance); dedicated instances in UK, EU, US, Japan, Australia or Asia Pacific on Enterprise | Cloud (AWS us-west-2) |
| Pricing | Plans from $25/month; Document Parse $0.97 to $7.76 per 1,000 pages on Pro | From $8.99/month for 16,500 credits; 4 to 100 credits per page by operation |
| Free tier | 100 credits, no credit card | Free trial (credit amount not published) |
When PDF.co is a good choice
Teams that need a broad PDF toolkit (convert, merge, split, fill forms, barcodes) in one API, from a low monthly price.
- Many PDF tools in one API beyond parsing: conversion, editing, forms, barcodes and searchable PDFs.
- Low entry price ($8.99 per month) with Zapier, Make and n8n integrations and an MCP server.
- Short default retention: output links expire after an hour, with optional user-controlled encryption.
Things to consider
- Extraction uses templates or a fixed invoice schema with custom fields, not a general JSON schema.
- Credit costs vary a lot per operation (for example 21 credits per page for AI text, 100 for the AI invoice parser).
- Markdown output and an EU region are not documented.
Why teams choose PDF Vector
- LLM-ready markdown and schema-based JSON for any document, not only invoices.
- Document Q&A, identity and bank statement APIs, and academic search.
- Data residency zones (UK, EU, US, Japan, Australia, Asia Pacific) on Enterprise dedicated instances.