ASHDOCS as an alternative to PDF.co.
ASHDOCS vs PDF.co — flat credits and structured errors instead of per-feature credit math.
PDF.co bundles many tools like ASHDOCS does, but meters them with variable credit costs per feature, per page, and per file size that are hard to predict. ASHDOCS uses flat per-tool credits (1–3), never charges failed jobs, signs every webhook, and adds a no-code flow builder and schema-driven AI extraction with per-field confidence.
How does ASHDOCS compare to PDF.co feature by feature?
| Feature | ASHDOCS | PDF.co |
|---|---|---|
| Tool breadth | 30 tools, one URL scheme | 30+ tools, mixed URL schemes |
| Credit predictability | Flat per tool (1–3 credits) | Varies by feature, pages, AND file size |
| Failed job billing | Never charged, automatic refund | Credits consumed on many failures |
| Schema-driven AI extraction | Yes — typed JSON, per-field confidence | AI Invoice Parser (fixed fields) |
| Bank statements | CSV/XLSX/QBO/OFX + reconciliation check | Via generic Document Parser templates |
| Webhook signing | HMAC-SHA256 on every event | No signature documented |
| SSRF protection on URL inputs | Yes — private IPs refused with 4xx | Not documented |
| No-code flows | Native visual builder | Zapier/Make connectors only |
What are the key limitations of PDF.co?
- →PDF.co's credit math (base cost × pages × file size multipliers) makes monthly bills volatile; ASHDOCS credits are flat per call.
- →Failures can still consume PDF.co credits; ASHDOCS refunds every failed job automatically.
- →Document Parser needs per-layout templates; ASHDOCS pdf-to-data reads by meaning, so vendor-format changes don't break extraction.
What does the code look like side by side?
# PDF.co
curl -X POST https://api.pdf.co/v1/pdf/convert/to/csv \
-H "x-api-key: YOUR_KEY" \
-d '{ "url": "https://example.com/doc.pdf" }'# ASHDOCS — one URL scheme for all 30 tools
curl -X POST https://www.ashdocs.com/api/v1/tools/html-to-pdf \
-H "X-API-Key: ash_test_xxx" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{ "html": "<h1>Hi</h1>", "options": { "format": "A4" } }'How do I migrate from PDF.co to ASHDOCS?
- Map each PDF.co endpoint to its ASHDOCS slug (pdf/convert/to/csv → /tools/pdf-to-table, pdf/edit/add → /tools/watermark, etc.).
- Replace template-based Document Parser configs with a single JSON schema on /tools/pdf-to-data — no per-vendor templates to maintain.
- Swap `x-api-key` header value for your ASHDOCS key and test in the sandbox, which never consumes credits.
- Recalculate costs: multiply your monthly call volume by flat credits instead of PDF.co's page/size multipliers — most teams land 30–60% lower.
Frequently asked questions
Is ASHDOCS cheaper than PDF.co?+
Usually. PDF.co credits scale with page count and file size, so a 40-page statement can cost many credits. ASHDOCS charges a flat 3 credits for bank-statement-to-csv regardless of size, and failed jobs are free.
Does ASHDOCS have an invoice parser like PDF.co?+
Yes — /tools/pdf-to-data with your own JSON schema returns typed fields with per-field confidence, so you're not limited to a fixed invoice field list.
Can I keep PDF.co running while I migrate?+
Yes — separate keys, separate webhooks. Most teams migrate one endpoint at a time, starting with whichever has the most volatile PDF.co bill.
Competitor pricing verified 1 August 2026 from the vendor's public pricing page. Pricing changes frequently — check PDF.co's pricing page for current rates before deciding.