SimplePDF vs Apryse (PDFTron)
You're overpaying for a full document SDK when all you need is PDF editing. SimplePDF gives you the tools your team actually uses, without the bloat.
Apryse (formerly PDFTron) is a full document processing SDK supporting 30+ file formats including PDF, Office, and CAD. Their WebViewer is a heavy SDK with per-platform licensing and annual commitments.
Enterprise PDF SDKs typically start at $25,000/year. SimplePDF starts at $99/month.
Feature Comparison
| Apryse (PDFTron) | SimplePDF | |
|---|---|---|
| Where SimplePDF wins | ||
| Starting price | Quote-based | $990/year ($99/mo) |
| Integration time | Hours to days | 1 line of code |
| Pricing model | Quote-based, per-platform | Transparent, flat-rate |
| Contract | Annual commitment | Month-to-month |
| Free tier | Trial only | Yes, unlimited |
| SDK footprint | Heavy (full SDK) | Lightweight embed script |
| Webhooks | Custom implementation | Built-in (Essential+) |
| UI maintenance | Source-available (your team maintains) | Fully managed (zero maintenance) |
| Feature parity | ||
| Form field detection | Yes | Yes |
| Page manipulation | Yes | Yes |
| Where Apryse has more | ||
| BYOS (S3/Azure) | Yes | Yes (Pro plan) |
| File format support | 30+ formats (PDF, Office, CAD) | PDF only |
| Content editing | Yes (edit existing text) | Add text only |
| Redaction | Yes (permanent) | No |
| Real-time collaboration | Yes | No |
Switch in an afternoon
<iframe src="https://your_company.simplePDF.com/editor" />That's the entire integration. One iframe. See the full guide.
Do you need every feature?
Most teams embedding PDF editing need four things: text, signatures, form fields, and page manipulation. If that's you, ask yourself why you're paying for 30+ file format support, content editing, and a full document SDK you've never fully deployed.
What SimplePDF gives you
- Text, checkboxes, images, and signature fields
- Form field detection
- Page manipulation (merge, reorder, rotate, delete)
- Webhooks and email notifications
- BYOS: bring your own S3 or Azure Blob Storage - documents are uploaded directly from the browser to your storage
- Full white-labelling: custom logo, loading animation, hide the sidebar entirely, and choose which tools to show
- Lightweight embed script - no heavy SDK
- Works anywhere: iframe-based editor that loads in any website, framework, or platform
Features most teams never use
- 30+ file format support (Office, CAD, etc.)
- Content editing (modifying existing PDF text)
- Permanent redaction
- Real-time collaboration
- Native mobile SDKs
Where SimplePDF shines
Lightweight embed vs heavy SDK
Apryse WebViewer is a full SDK. SimplePDF is an iframe-based editor - it loads in any website, any framework, any platform. No SDK to install, no package to maintain, no version conflicts.
Polished product, not an SDK to assemble
Apryse gives you source-available UI components to customize and maintain. SimplePDF gives you a finished product - 100,000+ people use it. Clean, intuitive, zero maintenance on your end.
One price vs per-platform fees
Apryse charges per-platform with annual commitments. SimplePDF starts at $99/month for all platforms - one iframe, one price. No sales calls, visible on the website.
Privacy by default with BYOS
Documents never leave the browser. With BYOS, documents upload directly from the browser to your own S3 bucket or Azure Blob Storage - they never transit SimplePDF servers. No server-side processing, no data breach surface. GDPR-friendly by design.
AI-assisted human-in-the-loop workflows
Legacy PDF SDKs were built for humans clicking buttons alone. SimplePDF combines AI-powered automation with human review, letting your users work faster while keeping full control over every edit.
Who this is for
CTO / Engineering Lead
Apryse WebViewer is a heavy SDK your team has to install, configure, and maintain. SimplePDF is a lightweight iframe - one line of code, zero SDK maintenance.
Compliance Officer
Documents never leave the browser. BYOS means files go directly to your storage. No heavy SDK processing data on your servers, no data breach surface.
Product Manager
Apryse charges per-platform with annual commitments. SimplePDF is one price for all platforms, visible on the website. Ship this week, not next quarter.
Trusted by 100 000+ people worldwide
“INCREDIBLY helpful and simple interface, thank you so much.”
“THANK YOU FOR MAKING THIS TOOL HOLY COW.”
“You're a lifesaver, this deserves to be everywhere.”
“Fantastic and simple to use.”
“It has helped me a lot, and is quicker than most other sites.”
“Bookmarking your site for future use.”
Common questions
Can I migrate from Apryse to SimplePDF?
Yes. SimplePDF is an iframe-based editor that loads in any website or framework. The React component and script tag are convenience wrappers around the same iframe. No SDK replacement needed - most teams integrate in under an hour. See the getting-started guide. Your existing PDF documents work as-is.
What if I need Office document support?
If you need to view or edit Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or CAD files, Apryse is the better fit. SimplePDF is purpose-built for PDF editing only - and does it well.
How does pricing actually compare?
Apryse uses quote-based pricing - contact their sales team for specifics (apryse.com/pricing). SimplePDF starts at $99/month ($990/year) with no contract, and includes a free tier.
Is SimplePDF enterprise-ready?
SimplePDF serves businesses of all sizes with BYOS storage (S3 and Azure Blob Storage), webhooks, and full white-labelling (custom logo, hide sidebar, choose which tools to show). It's leaner than Apryse by design - fewer features, but the ones most teams actually need.
Try it yourself
This is the page you're reading, loaded in SimplePDF. Add text, drop a signature, check a box - this is the entire product. Hit submit and see your submission appear here.
Information about third-party products is based on publicly available documentation as of February 2026. Contact the respective vendors for current pricing and features.