Iteration Layer vs Carbone
Carbone merges JSON into DOCX templates — binary files you can't diff, with LibreOffice in the rendering path.
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Why developers switch from Carbone
Carbone uses binary DOCX/ODT template files — you can't diff, review, or version-control them.
Documents as code, not binary files
Carbone templates are DOCX or ODT files — binary artifacts that live outside your version control. Our content model is JSON: reviewable in pull requests, generated programmatically, and stored alongside your application code.
Four output formats from one definition
Carbone outputs to DOCX and PDF via LibreOffice. We render PDF, DOCX, EPUB, and PPTX from the same content definition — change the format field and the API handles the rest.
Schema mismatches are explicit
In Carbone, if a data field is missing from the payload, the template renders blank — silently. Our content model is JSON: undefined references are errors, not empty strings.
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 | Carbone |
|---|---|---|
| Output formats |
4 formats
PDF, DOCX, EPUB, and PPTX from the same content definition |
PDF
Primarily PDF output via LibreOffice rendering from DOCX/ODT templates |
| Template model |
JSON blocks
Content defined as JSON block arrays — versionable and diffable |
Binary files
Templates are DOCX or ODT binary files that cannot be diffed or reviewed in version control |
| Custom fonts |
Yes
Upload and use custom fonts in any document |
Limited
Fonts must be installed in the LibreOffice environment before they can be used |
| PDF rendering |
Native
Native PDF renderer producing consistent output |
LibreOffice
PDF rendering via LibreOffice which can produce subtle differences from Word rendering |
| Missing field behaviour |
Explicit error
JSON validation catches mismatches and reports them as errors |
Silent blank
Missing data fields are silently rendered as blank without any error signal |
| Business user editing |
Developer-focused
JSON content model designed for developers |
Word-editable
DOCX templates can be edited directly in Microsoft Word by non-developers |
| Self-hosting |
SaaS only
Available only as a managed SaaS platform |
Open source
Community Edition available as open source for self-hosting |
| Word template workflows |
JSON model
Content defined in JSON rather than Word templates |
Native fit
Fits directly into existing Word-based template workflows used by many organizations |
| EU hosting |
EU only
All processing happens exclusively on EU-hosted servers |
EU available
Carbone Cloud offers EU hosting as an option |
| Language support |
Any language
REST API callable from any programming language with HTTP support |
Any language
REST API accessible from any programming language |
| Pricing model |
Per document
Pay-per-use pricing based on the number of documents generated |
Monthly plan
Free tier with limited renders, paid plans based on monthly render volume |
| Infrastructure required |
None
Fully managed API with no deployment or infrastructure to manage |
Self-hosted
Requires self-hosting or using Carbone Cloud |
| GDPR / Data privacy |
Zero retention
No files or results stored beyond temporary 90-day logs |
EU company
EU-based company subject to EU data protection regulations |
Pricing
Start with free trial credits. No credit card required.
Developer
For individuals & small projects
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1,000 credits / monthThat's either: 1,000 image transformations 500 document generations 500 image generations 500 sheet generations 200 document extractions (5-page docs) 200 markdown conversions (5-page docs)
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All APIs included
-
Free trial credits per API
-
Email support
-
Budget caps per key
-
Optional auto top-up
Startup
Save 40%For growing teams
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5,000 credits / monthThat's either: 5,000 image transformations 2,500 document generations 2,500 image generations 2,500 sheet generations 1,000 document extractions (5-page docs) 1,000 markdown conversions (5-page docs)
-
All APIs included
-
Free trial credits per API
-
Priority support
-
Budget caps per key
-
Optional auto top-up
Business
Save 47%For high-volume workloads
-
15,000 credits / monthThat's either: 15,000 image transformations 7,500 document generations 7,500 image generations 7,500 sheet generations 3,000 document extractions (5-page docs) 3,000 markdown conversions (5-page docs)
-
All APIs included
-
Free trial credits per API
-
Priority support
-
Budget caps per key
-
Optional auto top-up
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Free trial credits included. No credit card required.