Iteration Layer vs Extend
Extend is a production document-processing platform; Iteration Layer is a simpler API for typed extraction with citations and one credit pool.
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Why developers switch from Extend
Extend gives teams a full document workflow platform. Iteration Layer gives developers a focused extraction API.
Focused API instead of workflow platform
If you need extraction inside your own product or automation, a direct schema API can be easier than adopting a broader document workflow system.
Typed values in the response
Iteration Layer schemas include typed fields for dates, currencies, IBANs, addresses, emails, URLs, and other business values.
EU-only processing
All processing runs on EU-hosted infrastructure with zero file retention and a DPA available for compliance-sensitive teams.
Feature-by-feature comparison
We went through the docs so you don't have to. Here's how every feature compares — including the ones where we're not the better choice.
| Feature | Iteration Layer | Extend |
|---|---|---|
| Schema-defined extraction |
Yes
Define the fields you want in a typed extraction schema |
Yes
Extraction processors and schemas are configurable in Extend |
| Confidence scores |
Per field
Confidence scores are returned with extracted fields |
Review agent
Confidence tooling flags uncertain outputs before production |
| Source citations |
Yes
Source citations are returned for extracted field values |
Workflow-based
Built for review workflows and validation around document outputs |
| Multi-file support |
Up to 20 files
Process related files together in one request |
Workflows
Document workflows can parse, split, extract, validate, and route files |
| Typed field support |
17 types
Choose from 17 typed schema fields including date, IBAN, currency, address, phone, email, and URL |
Schema fields
Extractor schemas are configurable, with validation handled inside the platform |
| Supported input formats |
40+ formats
Process 40+ formats — PDF, Office, EPUB, RTF, LaTeX, email, Jupyter, images, and more — in a single API endpoint |
Documents
Built for hard PDFs and business documents sent by upload, URL, or file ID |
| Document splitting |
No
Each file is processed as a single document in extraction requests |
Built-in
Document workflows include parse, split, extract, validate, and route steps |
| Human review UI |
Build your own
API-only — confidence scores enable custom review workflows |
Built-in
Studio, evals, and review tooling are part of the platform |
| Automation integrations |
API, n8n, MCP
Official n8n node, REST API, webhook-friendly responses, and MCP server for agent workflows |
API and SDKs
REST API and SDKs are available for application integration |
| Deployment model |
Managed SaaS
Managed EU-hosted API surface with no customer deployment |
Cloud or self-hosted
Enterprise options include self-hosted deployment on customer infrastructure |
| EU hosting |
EU only
All processing happens exclusively on EU-hosted servers |
Enterprise option
BYOC and private VPC deployments are available for stricter data-residency needs |
| Pricing model |
Per page
Simple, predictable per-page pricing |
Platform pricing
Pricing depends on document workflow usage and enterprise requirements |
| Infrastructure required |
None
Fully managed API with no deployment or infrastructure to manage |
None / optional
Managed cloud by default, with self-hosting available for enterprise deployments |
| GDPR / Data privacy |
Zero retention
No files or results stored beyond temporary 90-day logs |
Enterprise controls
SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, and deployment controls available for regulated teams |
| Data used for training |
Never
Your data is never used to train or improve AI models — guaranteed for all plans |
Never
Extend states it does not train models on customer data and uses ZDR foundation-model providers |
Pricing
Start with free trial credits. No credit card required.
Developer
For individuals & small projects
Startup
Save 40%For growing teams
Business
Save 47%For high-volume workloads
Or pay as you go from $0.022/credit with automatic volume discounts.
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