3 Python PDF Libraries (Updated List For Developer)

In the vast world of Python libraries, there are some dedicated solely to working with Portable Document Format (PDF) files. These Python PDF libraries simplify the process of creating, modifying, and extracting text from PDF documents. This article presents three of the best Python PDF libraries that will take your Python PDF processing to the next level: IronPDF, PyPDF4, and PyMuPDF.

IronPDF - A Powerful PDF Processing Library

IronPDF is a highly powerful and efficient Python PDF library. This library is designed to offer a seamless experience in handling PDF files, making it an ideal choice for developers dealing with PDF processing tasks. IronPDF stands out with its feature-rich functions, which includes creating PDF files, extracting text, converting HTML to PDF files, and much more.

IronPDF also offers unique features like adding custom data to your PDFs and handling web page to PDF conversions efficiently. IronPDF has ability to work independently, without the need for any additional dependencies or language packs. This makes it a go-to solution for developers who seek a stand-alone PDF library. It follows a license-based pricing model, but also offers a free trial to get a feel for its features. IronPDF has certainly set the standard for Python PDF libraries with its reliability, robustness, and remarkable ease of use.

Code Example

To install IronPDF, use the pip command:
pip install ironpdf
Here's an example code of how to use IronPDF to create a PDF from a URL and save it as a file:

# Import statement for IronPDF Python
from ironpdf import *

# Set your license key
License.LicenseKey = "IRONPDF-MYLICENSE-KEY-1EF01"

# Enable debugging and set logging options
Logger.EnableDebugging = True
Logger.LogFilePath = "Default.log"
Logger.LoggingMode = Logger.LoggingModes.All

# Instantiate Renderer
renderer = ChromePdfRenderer()

# Create a PDF from a URL
pdf = renderer.RenderUrlAsPdf("https://ironpdf.com/")

# Export to a file
pdf.SaveAs("url_to_pdf.pdf")

In the above code, we first import the IronPDF library. Then we add the license key and set up the logger for debugging. We instantiate the ChromePdfRenderer, and then render a PDF from a URL. Finally, the output file is saved as 'url_to_pdf.pdf'.

Here is the output file generated by IronPDF:

Pricing

IronPDF operates on a license-based pricing model. While a free trial of 30 days is available, you'll need to purchase a license for long-term use. Depending on the scope of your projects, there are several licenses to choose from, with differing features and prices. Price starts from $749.

PyPDF4 - A Pure Python PDF Library for Manipulating PDFs

PyPDF4 is a popular Python library that allows you to manipulate PDF files. It offers features like splitting PDFs, merging multiple pages, rotating PDF pages, and even handling password-protected files. This pure Python PDF library lets you write PDF files, extract document information, and much more.

Code Example

You can install PyPDF4 using the pip command:
pip install pypdf4

The following code demonstrates how to retrieve text from a single page of a PDF document using PyPDF4.

from PyPDF4 import PdfFileReader
pdf = PdfFileReader("example.pdf")
first_page = pdf.getPage(0)
print(first_page.extract_text())

In the example code, we first import the PdfFileReader class from the PyPDF4 library. Next, we open a PDF file and retrieve the text from the first page of the document using the getPage function.

Pricing

PyPDF4 is a free and open-source Python library.

PyMuPDF - A Versatile Python PDF Library for Advanced Tasks

PyMuPDF is a really handy tool while working with PDFs in Python. It lets you do a bunch of cool things with PDFs like pulling out text, images, and background info (that's the 'metadata'). You can also use it to crop your PDFs or turn pages around. But the big standout is that PyMuPDF can handle messy data - the kind that doesn't fit into neat columns and rows - which is great if you're working on understanding or analyzing text.

Code Example

You can install the PyMuPDF library using the pip command:
pip install pymupdf
Here's an example demonstrating how to extract all text from a PDF file and save it as a .txt file using PyMuPDF:

import sys, pathlib, fitz

# Get document filename
fname = sys.argv[1]  

# Open the document
with fitz.open(fname) as doc: 
    # Extract all text
    text = chr(12).join([page.get_text() for page in doc])

# Write the extracted text to a binary file (to support non-ASCII characters)
pathlib.Path(fname + ".txt").write_bytes(text.encode())

In the above code, we open the PDF document using the filename passed as a command-line argument (sys.argv[1]). Then, we extract all the text from each page of the document and join them using form feed character (chr(12)). Finally, we write the text to a .txt file. The encoding to bytes is necessary to support non-ASCII characters.

Pricing

PyMuPDF is a free and open-source Python library.

Conclusion

In conclusion, handling PDF files can be a crucial task. From creating and editing PDFs to extracting text and data, Python libraries dedicated to PDF processing have become essential tools.

IronPDF, a highly efficient library, shines through with its robust functionality. From creating PDFs and converting HTML to PDF, to embedding custom data and smoothly converting webpages into PDFs, IronPDF packs a punch. Standalone by nature, IronPDF works independently, negating the need for additional dependencies or language packs. It also offers free trial which is a big plus.

PyPDF4, a purely Python library, allows for manipulation of PDFs in various ways, from splitting and merging multiple pages, to rotating pages and handling password-protected files. PyMuPDF, the third contender, doesn't just extract text and images, but also metadata from PDFs.

While PyPDF4 and PyMuPDF are robust libraries in their own right, IronPDF stands out as a slightly superior choice for a few reasons. Its unique ability to seamlessly add custom data and efficiently convert webpages into PDFs is a game-changer. Furthermore, IronPDF's ability to work as a stand-alone solution without the need for additional dependencies, makes it an incredibly convenient option for developers. Its license-based pricing model also provides flexibility for different project scopes.

So, if you're looking for a Python PDF library, IronPDF, PyPDF4, and PyMuPDF each bring something valuable to the table. IronPDF, however, has a slight edge with its unique features and independent nature. But best choice really depends on the task at hand.