PDF Creation
- pdfjs-dist:
pdfjs-dist is primarily for rendering existing PDFs in the browser and does not provide functionality for creating new PDFs.
- pdf-lib:
pdf-lib excels in creating PDFs from scratch, allowing developers to define document structure, styles, and content programmatically. It supports adding text, images, and shapes, making it suitable for generating reports, invoices, and forms dynamically.
- pdf-parse:
pdf-parse does not support PDF creation; its focus is solely on extracting content from existing PDFs. It is not suitable for generating new PDF documents.
Text Extraction
- pdfjs-dist:
pdfjs-dist can extract text from PDFs during the rendering process, but its primary function is to display PDFs in the browser. It may not be as efficient as pdf-parse for dedicated text extraction tasks.
- pdf-lib:
pdf-lib allows for basic text extraction but is not optimized for this purpose. Its main strength lies in PDF creation and manipulation rather than extracting text from existing documents.
- pdf-parse:
pdf-parse is designed specifically for text extraction, providing a simple API to retrieve text and metadata from PDFs efficiently. It is ideal for applications that need to analyze or display content from existing PDF files.
Browser Compatibility
- pdfjs-dist:
pdfjs-dist is specifically designed for browser environments, allowing developers to render PDFs directly in web applications. It provides a rich user interface for interacting with PDF documents.
- pdf-lib:
pdf-lib is compatible with modern browsers and can be used in both Node.js and browser environments. It is designed to work seamlessly in client-side applications, making it versatile for web development.
- pdf-parse:
pdf-parse is primarily a Node.js library and is not intended for use in the browser. It is best suited for server-side applications where PDF processing is required.
Ease of Use
- pdfjs-dist:
pdfjs-dist has a steeper learning curve due to its extensive features for rendering and interacting with PDFs. Developers may need to invest more time in understanding its API and capabilities.
- pdf-lib:
pdf-lib has a straightforward API that is easy to learn for developers familiar with JavaScript. Its documentation provides clear examples, making it accessible for both beginners and experienced developers.
- pdf-parse:
pdf-parse is very easy to use, with a simple API that allows for quick text extraction. It requires minimal setup and is ideal for developers looking for a lightweight solution.
Performance
- pdfjs-dist:
pdfjs-dist is designed for rendering PDFs in the browser and is optimized for performance. However, rendering complex PDFs may impact performance, so developers should consider the size and complexity of the documents.
- pdf-lib:
pdf-lib is optimized for performance when creating and modifying PDFs, but the performance may vary based on the complexity of the document being generated. It is suitable for applications that require dynamic PDF generation.
- pdf-parse:
pdf-parse is lightweight and performs well for text extraction tasks, making it efficient for applications that need to process multiple PDFs quickly without significant overhead.