Iteration Layer vs Extend
Extend Parse converts documents into LLM-ready markdown or spatial output; Iteration Layer gives developers a direct Document to Markdown API with shared credits and integrations.
Why developers switch from Extend
Extend Parse is full-featured parsing infrastructure; Iteration Layer turns documents into clean markdown for RAG, agents, extraction steps, and generated outputs.
Markdown conversion as the product
Call one endpoint when you need readable markdown for RAG, LLM context, extraction, or review workflows without configuring a broader parsing system.
Image descriptions included
Image inputs return OCR text and a natural language image description so visual documents can still enter text-first pipelines.
EU-hosted by default
Keep conversion workloads on EU-hosted infrastructure with zero data retention beyond operational logs.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Markdown output |
Clean markdown
Returns readable markdown directly from the document |
Markdown target
Parse API supports markdown as a target format |
| Table preservation |
Markdown tables
Tables are rendered as markdown table syntax |
Configurable
Parser supports markdown output and block-level table options |
| Image description |
Yes
Image files include a natural language description alongside OCR text |
Block metadata
Parsed output can include blocks and layout metadata for figures and images |
| Supported input formats |
40+ formats
PDF, Office, EPUB, RTF, email, images, and more |
Documents
Built for document files sent by upload, URL, or file ID |
| Spatial output |
No
Focuses on clean markdown rather than near-layout-preserving text |
Yes
Spatial target preserves layout with whitespace and block metadata |
| MCP server |
Yes
MCP server available for AI agents and assistants |
No
No MCP server documented for AI agent integration |
| 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 |
| Workflow platform |
API endpoint
Single-purpose document-to-markdown endpoint for application pipelines |
Full platform
Parse can be part of multi-step document workflows with evals and review |
| 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 parse runs, 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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100 trial credits included.