Best Libraries for Creating an Online PDF Reader

PDF (Portable Document Format) is a widely used file format for digital documents. It is often used for manuals, reports, and books that need to be shared and viewed by others. PDFs can be viewed on different platforms, including desktops, laptops, and mobile devices. JavaScript is a popular programming language used for creating interactive web applications. In this article, we will explore different JavaScript libraries for coding a PDF online reader.

PDF.js

PDF.js is a JavaScript library developed by Mozilla that allows users to view and interact with PDF files directly in their browsers. It is an open-source project and is available for free. PDF.js uses HTML5 and JavaScript to render PDF files in the browser without the need for any third-party plugins or software.

PDF.js supports different features, including zooming, searching, and navigating through pages. It is also customizable, allowing developers to modify the appearance and functionality of the viewer to meet their needs. PDF.js has excellent documentation and a large community of developers who contribute to its development.

PDF.js Express

PDF.js Express is a commercial PDF viewer that is built on top of PDF.js. It offers advanced features, such as annotation tools, form filling, and digital signature support. PDF.js Express has a simple API and offers a user-friendly interface, making it easy for developers to integrate it into their applications.

PDF.js Express offers different pricing plans, depending on the number of users and features needed. It also offers different deployment options, including cloud hosting and self-hosting.

PDFTron WebViewer

PDFTron WebViewer is a commercial PDF viewer that offers advanced features, such as annotation tools, form filling, and digital signature support. It is a client-side library that can be integrated into web applications using JavaScript.

PDFTron WebViewer is highly customizable and offers a user-friendly interface. It is also responsive, allowing users to view and interact with PDF files on different devices, including desktops, laptops, and mobile devices. PDFTron WebViewer offers different pricing plans, depending on the number of users and features needed. It also offers different deployment options, including cloud hosting and self-hosting.

PSPDFKit

PSPDFKit is a commercial PDF viewer that offers advanced features, such as annotation tools, form filling, and digital signature support. It is available as a client-side library for web applications, including those built with JavaScript.

PSPDFKit offers a simple API and a user-friendly interface. It is also highly customizable, allowing developers to modify the appearance and functionality of the viewer to meet their needs. PSPDFKit offers different pricing plans, depending on the number of users and features needed. It also offers different deployment options, including cloud hosting and self-hosting.

Conclusion

JavaScript libraries offer different options for coding a PDF online reader. PDF.js, PDF.js Express, PDFTron WebViewer, and PSPDFKit are some of the popular libraries available for developers. When choosing a library, developers should consider the features needed, pricing plans, and deployment options. They should also evaluate the library's documentation and community support to ensure that they can easily integrate it into their applications.