Iteration Layer vs Mistral Document AI
Mistral Document AI combines OCR and document understanding; Iteration Layer focuses on typed extraction with citations, multi-file inputs, and EU-hosted workflows.
Why developers switch from Mistral Document AI
Mistral has best-in-class document AI, but Iteration Layer is built around typed extraction fields and provenance.
Typed JSON, not markdown
Mistral Document AI is a broad OCR and document understanding stack. For business extraction, we return typed JSON matching your schema — dates, currencies, IBANs, addresses, and more — without additional normalization code.
Confidence scores and source citations
We return a confidence score and verbatim source citation for every extracted field, so you can route uncertain values to human review and audit where every value came from.
Multi-file extraction in one call
Mistral's OCR and Document AI APIs are document-centric. We accept up to 20 files per request and merge related evidence into one structured extraction result.
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 | Mistral Document AI |
|---|---|---|
| Schema-defined extraction |
Yes
Define extraction schemas with 17 purpose-built typed fields for structured output |
No
No schema support — outputs unstructured markdown text |
| Typed field support |
17 types
Choose from 17 typed schema fields including date, IBAN, currency, address, phone, email, and URL |
None
No typed field extraction — all content returned as markdown text |
| Confidence scores |
Per field
Confidence score between 0 and 1 for every extracted schema field |
No
No confidence scoring for extracted content |
| Source citations |
Yes
Verbatim source citation from the document for every extracted field |
No
No source citation or provenance tracking for extracted values |
| Multi-file support |
Up to 20 files
Process up to 20 files in a single API request with merged extraction results |
1 file
Each API request processes a single file |
| Supported input formats |
40+ formats
Process 40+ formats — PDF, Office, EPUB, RTF, LaTeX, email, Jupyter, images, and more — in a single API endpoint |
PDF, images
Supports PDF and image files for OCR and text extraction |
| OCR quality |
Benchmark-backed
OCR benchmark scored 0.93 across forms, invoices, scans, tables, charts, and photos |
Excellent
Top-tier OCR for scanned documents, handwriting, and complex layouts |
| Document structure |
JSON schema
Structured JSON output defined by the extraction schema |
Markdown
Markdown output that preserves document structure including headings, lists, and tables well |
| EU hosting |
EU only
All processing happens exclusively on EU-hosted servers |
EU default
Mistral documents EU data centers by default, with on-premises and private cloud options for enterprise deployments |
| Pricing |
$0.033
1 credit per page |
Per page
Free tier available |
| Infrastructure required |
None
Fully managed API with no deployment or infrastructure to manage |
None
Fully managed cloud API with no infrastructure to manage |
| GDPR / Data privacy |
Zero retention
No files or results stored beyond temporary 90-day logs |
30-day retention
Mistral states API inputs and outputs are kept for 30 rolling days unless zero data retention is activated |
| Data used for training |
Never
Your data is never used to train or improve AI models — guaranteed for all plans |
No
Mistral's API data processing terms state that API inputs are not used for model training |
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
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