Iteration Layer vs Extend
Extend is a production document-processing platform; Iteration Layer is a lighter developer API for typed extraction, citations, n8n, MCP, and one credit pool.
Why developers switch from Extend
Extend gives teams a full document workflow platform. Iteration Layer gives developers typed extraction with citations, confidence scores, and downstream API outputs.
Extraction API instead of workflow platform
If you need extraction inside your own product, agent, or automation, a schema-driven 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 data 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 usage-based. Switch to a subscription when your volume becomes predictable.
Usage-based
Graduated pricing. Your effective rate decreases automatically as monthly usage grows.
- No monthly commitment
- Pay only for credits used
- Automatic volume discounts as usage grows
Predictable volume
Fixed recurring credit packs with lower effective credit prices for steady usage.
- Lower effective per-credit prices
- Fixed recurring credit packs
- Predictable monthly budget
Try Iteration Layer with 100 credits
Start with one shared trial pool before choosing subscription or pay-as-you-go billing.
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