Iteration Layer vs DocRaptor
DocRaptor wraps the best HTML-to-PDF engine available — but you're still writing HTML and CSS for print.
Why developers switch from DocRaptor
DocRaptor converts HTML to PDF well, but can't generate DOCX, EPUB, or PPTX.
No HTML or CSS knowledge required
DocRaptor uses Prince XML, which requires CSS Paged Media — a separate spec from browser CSS with its own rules for page breaks, running headers, and margins. Our content model is JSON blocks: no markup, no print stylesheets.
Four output formats, not one
DocRaptor produces PDF and XLS. We render PDF, DOCX, EPUB, and PPTX from the same content definition. The contract that goes out as PDF can also be a DOCX for legal review or a PPTX for the board — same API call, different format.
EU hosting with GDPR compliance
DocRaptor is US-based. We process all documents on EU servers with zero data retention and a Data Processing Agreement available for every customer.
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 | DocRaptor |
|---|---|---|
| Output formats |
4 formats
PDF, DOCX, EPUB, and PPTX from the same content definition |
PDF, XLS
PDF and XLS output via Prince XML rendering engine |
| Template model |
JSON blocks
Content defined as JSON block arrays — versionable and diffable |
HTML/CSS
Uses HTML and CSS Paged Media specification, which is separate from standard browser CSS |
| Custom fonts |
Yes
Upload and use custom fonts in any document |
Yes
Fonts referenced via CSS @font-face declarations pointing to hosted font files |
| Learning curve |
Standard JSON
Standard JSON content model with no specialized specification to learn |
CSS Paged Media
Requires learning the CSS Paged Media specification, which is separate from browser CSS |
| PDF quality |
Native
Native PDF renderer producing consistent output across all document types |
Prince XML
Powered by Prince XML, a mature HTML-to-PDF engine |
| HTML/CSS templates |
JSON only
Only accepts JSON content model, not HTML or CSS |
Native fit
Ideal for teams with existing HTML and CSS templates they want to convert to PDF |
| Maturity & support |
Growing
Actively growing platform with expanding documentation |
Established
Mature platform with strong documentation and responsive support |
| EU hosting |
EU only
All processing happens exclusively on EU-hosted servers |
US-based
DocRaptor is a US-based provider |
| Pricing |
$0.066
2 credits per action |
Per document
Monthly plan tiers |
| Infrastructure required |
None
Fully managed API with no 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 |
US-based provider
DocRaptor is a US-based provider with DPA support |
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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