Apache PDFBox logo

Apache PDFBox

by The Apache Software Foundation · Since 1999
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ActiveAvailable globallyCloudFree tier
Quick facts
VendorThe Apache Software Foundation
Year launched1999
StatusActive
Location1000 N West St, Suite 1200, Wilmington, Delaware 19801, US
Countries servedGlobal
Languages1
IntegrationsN/A
Free tierYES
Free trialNO
Contact salesNO

About Apache PDFBox

Apache PDFBox is an open-source Java library for working with PDF documents. It allows developers to create new PDFs, manipulate existing documents, and extract content. It also includes several command-line utilities for PDF-related tasks.

Apache PDFBox is an open-source Java library from The Apache Software Foundation, designed for developers who need to programmatically work with PDF documents. It provides a low-level API for a wide range of PDF operations, including creating new documents, manipulating existing ones, and extracting content like text and images. Key features include splitting and merging documents, filling out forms, adding digital signatures, and validating files against the PDF/A standard. As an open-source project, it is free to use under the Apache License 2.0. Support is provided by the community through mailing lists and an issue tracker. It is a library, not a standalone application, and is intended to be integrated into other software.

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Free open-source library supporting comprehensive PDF processing for Java developers and enterprises worldwide.
  • Rich API supports creation, editing, extraction, validation, signing, and printing efficiently consistently.
  • Active community provides documentation, updates, bug fixes, and long-term project reliability continuously.
  • Apache License permits commercial usage without expensive licensing fees or restrictive obligations.
Cons
  • As a low-level library, it does not provide high-level APIs for complex page layouts, tables, or automatic line wrapping.
  • Being a Java library, it requires a Java development environment to use.
  • Support is community-based via mailing lists, with no dedicated commercial support options.

Features

Key features

PDF Creation

Creates PDF documents from scratch using Java APIs with embedded fonts, images, metadata, and customizable document structures for professional applications.

Split and Merge

Splits large PDF files into smaller documents or merges multiple PDFs into a single organized document seamlessly.

Digital Signatures

Applies secure digital signatures to PDF documents, supporting authentication, document integrity, and trusted electronic document workflows across organizations.

Text Extraction

Extracts Unicode text from PDF files accurately for indexing, searching, reporting, document analysis, and content processing applications.

Document Manipulation

Modifies existing PDF documents by adding, deleting, rearranging, or updating pages, text, images, and document properties efficiently.

Additional features

PDF Document Creation

Generates professional PDF documents from scratch using Java APIs with support for fonts, graphics, images, metadata, and structured document layouts suitable for enterprise and commercial applications.

PDF Merge and Split

Combines multiple PDF documents into one file or separates large PDFs into smaller documents for simplified organization, storage, sharing, and workflow management.

Interactive Form Processing

Extracts information from PDF forms and fills interactive forms programmatically, supporting automated workflows and digital business processes with improved operational efficiency.

Unicode Text Extraction

Extracts Unicode text accurately from PDF documents for indexing, searching, analytics, reporting, data migration, and automated content processing across various business environments.

PDF Editing

Modifies existing PDF files by updating pages, document properties, embedded content, and structural elements, enabling flexible document management without recreating files from the beginning.

Pricing

Free trial
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Countries & Languages

Global
Countries served
1
Interface languages
1
Billing currencies

Interface languages

English

Billing currencies

🇺🇸USD

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