SimplePDF vs PSPDFKit (Nutrient)
You're paying enterprise prices for features your team doesn't use. SimplePDF gives you the PDF editing tools you actually need, at a fraction of the cost.
PSPDFKit, recently rebranded to Nutrient, is an enterprise PDF SDK offering 17+ annotation types, real-time collaboration, and server-side processing via Document Engine. They serve large enterprises with annual contracts and quote-based pricing.
Enterprise PDF SDKs typically start at $25,000/year. SimplePDF starts at $99/month.
Feature Comparison
| PSPDFKit (Nutrient) | 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, modular | Transparent, flat-rate |
| Contract | Annual commitment | Month-to-month |
| Free tier | No | Yes, unlimited |
| Webhooks | Via server | Built-in (Essential+) |
| Feature parity | ||
| Form field detection | Yes | Yes |
| Page manipulation | Yes | Yes |
| Where PSPDFKit has more | ||
| BYOS (S3/Azure) | Yes (via Document Engine) | Yes (Pro plan) |
| Document processing | Client-side or server-side | Client-side only |
| Annotations | 17+ types | Text, checkboxes, images, signatures |
| Redaction | Yes | No |
| Real-time collaboration | Yes | No |
| Digital certificates | Yes (eIDAS-compliant formats) | 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 17 annotation types, real-time collaboration, and digital certificates you've never used.
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
- Free tier with no usage limits
- Works anywhere: iframe-based editor that loads in any website, framework, or platform
Features most teams never use
- 17+ annotation types (highlights, strikethrough, etc.)
- Permanent redaction
- Real-time collaboration
- Digital certificates (eIDAS-compliant formats)
- Server-side document processing
- Native mobile SDKs
Where SimplePDF shines
One iframe vs Document Engine
PSPDFKit requires Document Engine for server-side features like real-time collaboration and BYOS. SimplePDF is an iframe-based editor - it loads in any website, any framework, any platform. No server infrastructure to manage.
No rebrands, no confusion
PSPDFKit rebranded to Nutrient, splitting their identity. SimplePDF is SimplePDF - 100,000+ people use it. Clean, intuitive, no clutter. One product, one name, one integration.
Transparent pricing vs annual quotes
PSPDFKit requires contacting sales for pricing and annual commitments. SimplePDF starts at $99/month, visible on the website. No procurement cycle, no annual lock-in.
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 Document Engine required. 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
PSPDFKit's Document Engine adds server infrastructure your team has to maintain. SimplePDF integrates in one line - no SDK maintenance, no server setup, no deployment headaches.
Compliance Officer
Documents never leave the browser. BYOS means files go directly to your storage - no Document Engine, no third-party server processing, no data breach surface.
Product Manager
Ship PDF editing this week, not next quarter. No annual contract negotiation, no PSPDFKit sales cycle. Transparent pricing on the website, upgrade when ready.
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 PSPDFKit 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 complex SDK to swap - most teams integrate in under an hour. See the getting-started guide. Your existing PDF documents work as-is.
What if I need a feature SimplePDF doesn't have?
If you need redaction, real-time collaboration, or digital certificates, PSPDFKit is the better fit. SimplePDF focuses on the core editing features most teams actually use: text, signatures, checkboxes, images, and form fields.
How does pricing actually compare?
PSPDFKit uses quote-based pricing - contact their sales team for specifics (nutrient.io/sdk/pricing). SimplePDF starts at $99/month ($990/year) with no contract, and includes a free tier with no usage limits.
Is SimplePDF enterprise-ready?
SimplePDF serves businesses of all sizes with features like BYOS storage (S3 and Azure Blob Storage), webhooks, and full white-labelling (custom logo, hide sidebar, choose which tools to show). It may not match PSPDFKit's breadth of features, but it covers what most teams 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.