ExpertPdf vs wkhtmltopdf
ExpertPdf is a native .NET HTML to PDF library you call directly from C#, VB.NET,
ASP.NET, ASP.NET MVC and ASP.NET Core code. It is a common alternative to wkhtmltopdf
for .NET developers who want a maintained, fully supported component instead of an external command-line
tool.
Why look for a wkhtmltopdf alternative?
wkhtmltopdf is a free, open-source command-line tool that renders HTML to PDF with an older,
patched QtWebKit engine. Its source repository was archived in January 2023 and the project is
no longer maintained, which means it no longer receives bug fixes or security updates. Projects
that depend on it have been advised to consider a maintained alternative. To use wkhtmltopdf from .NET you
also have to run its executable (or rely on a third-party wrapper) rather than call a native .NET API.
Comparison
| |
ExpertPdf |
wkhtmltopdf |
| Type |
Native .NET library (single signed DLL) |
Command-line executable |
| .NET integration |
Direct API in C# / VB.NET / ASP.NET / MVC / Core |
Run the .exe or a third-party wrapper |
| .NET support |
.NET Framework (2.0–4.7.2) and .NET Standard 2.0 (.NET Core, .NET 5–10) |
No native .NET API |
| Rendering engine |
WebKit engine, plus an optional Chromium-based engine |
Older patched QtWebKit |
| Actively maintained |
Yes (v21.1.0) |
No – repository archived January 2023 |
| Security updates |
Yes |
No |
| Commercial support |
Yes, email support |
None |
| External dependencies |
None – engine embedded in the assembly |
Bundled Qt binary |
| License |
Commercial (from $550) |
Open-source (LGPLv3), free |
What you get with ExpertPdf
- A native .NET assembly – no external executable to deploy or shell out to
- Works with .NET Framework and modern .NET (.NET Core, .NET 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) via .NET Standard 2.0
- Full HTML5, CSS3 and JavaScript support, headers and footers, and CSS page-break control
- Full C# and VB.NET source code samples for ASP.NET, ASP.NET MVC, ASP.NET Core and Windows Forms
- An actively maintained product with email support
Migrating from wkhtmltopdf
Because ExpertPdf is called directly from .NET, you replace your wkhtmltopdf command-line calls with a
few lines of C# or VB.NET. You can
download a free trial
and try it with your own HTML, see the
converter features,
or check the pricing.