Iteration Layer vs Extracta
Extracta focuses on no-training document data extraction; Iteration Layer adds typed fields, citations, and EU-hosted API workflows.
Why developers switch from Extracta
Extracta is built for quick document data extraction, while Iteration Layer is built for typed, auditable extraction that developers can use in products, agents, and n8n.
Typed fields instead of generic extracted values
Define the exact fields and types you need, then receive validated structured values instead of normalizing generic extraction output downstream.
Source citations for review
Each extracted field includes a source citation, making it easier to route uncertain fields to review or prove where a value came from.
Multi-file requests for document packets
Process related files together in one request when a business record spans invoices, forms, scans, emails, or supporting documents.
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 | Extracta |
|---|---|---|
| Schema-defined extraction |
Yes
Define typed fields in the request schema |
Yes
Define requested fields for extraction jobs |
| Confidence scores |
Per field
Confidence score between 0 and 1 for every extracted field |
No
No documented per-field confidence scoring for extracted values |
| Source citations |
Yes
Verbatim source citation from the document for every extracted field |
No
No documented source citations linking extracted values back to document text |
| Multi-file support |
Up to 20 files
Process related document packets in one API request |
Batch upload
Upload files to an extraction job and retrieve batch results |
| Typed field support |
17 types
Choose from 17 typed schema fields including date, IBAN, currency, address, phone, email, and URL |
Generic fields
Fields are described by key, description, and examples rather than purpose-built business types |
| Supported input formats |
40+ formats
Process 40+ formats — PDF, Office, EPUB, RTF, LaTeX, email, Jupyter, images, and more — in a single API endpoint |
Documents, images
Supports PDFs, images, text files, scanned documents, and common digital document formats |
| Template requirement |
No training
Define the schema in the API request without training a model or creating a template |
No training
Extraction setup is designed around defining requested fields without training |
| Web app workflow |
Developer API
Built for code integration, agents, n8n workflows, and automation backends that need typed extraction results |
Built-in app
Includes a web app for defining extractions and uploading batches |
| Automation integrations |
API, n8n, MCP
Official n8n node, REST API, webhook-friendly responses, and MCP server for agent workflows |
API and app
Web app and API for defining extraction jobs and retrieving results |
| EU hosting |
EU only
All processing happens exclusively on EU-hosted servers |
No
No public EU-only processing option documented |
| Pricing model |
Per page
Simple, predictable per-page pricing |
Plan / credits
Plan and credit-based pricing for document extraction workloads |
| Infrastructure required |
None
Fully managed API with no deployment or infrastructure to manage |
None
Fully managed SaaS platform with no infrastructure to manage |
| GDPR / Data privacy |
Zero retention
No files or results stored beyond temporary 90-day logs |
GDPR compliant
Public site states GDPR compliance and security controls |
| Data used for training |
Never
Your data is never used to train or improve AI models — guaranteed for all plans |
Unclear
Public pages emphasize GDPR compliance but do not surface a no-training guarantee |
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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