VeryPDF vs Api2Pdf: Which Webpage to PDF Converter API Handles Complex CSS Better?
Meta Description:
Struggling with CSS-heavy pages during HTML to PDF conversion? Here's how VeryPDF outperformed Api2Pdf in real-world tests.
Every time I tried converting one of our heavily styled dashboards into PDF format, something broke. Flexbox collapsed. Fonts went missing. Grids became chaos.
If you've ever tried turning a webpage full of advanced CSS into a tidy PDF, you already know it's a battlefield.
I thought I had it figured out with Api2Pdf... until I didn't.
A major client needed pixel-perfect PDFs of interactive reports, styled with Tailwind CSS and animated with a bit of JavaScript. Api2Pdf just couldn't keep up. That's when I stumbled on VeryPDF Webpage to PDF Converter API and everything changed.
The tool that actually understands CSS
Here's how it went down.
I was on deadline, frustrated and honestly a bit embarrassed sending half-baked PDF reports to clients.
I needed a tool that could handle all the CSS quirks custom fonts, flexbox, media queries, and JavaScript-rendered charts.
Api2Pdf did okay... until the layout went responsive. Suddenly the content shrank or misaligned, especially when custom fonts and headers kicked in.
Then I gave VeryPDF a shot.
I had used other VeryPDF tools before for OCR and batch file processing so I trusted their dev-centric approach.
I tried their HTML to PDF API with one of our trickiest pages:
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Uses Tailwind and Bootstrap together
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Embeds Google Maps
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Generates dynamic tables via JavaScript
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Responsive design with grid layout
One simple API call.
And it just worked.
Why VeryPDF nailed it (and Api2Pdf didn't)
1. Full CSS Support like, real support
VeryPDF uses a Chrome-based rendering engine. That means it behaves the way your browser does no weird rendering bugs, no CSS quirks.
It supported:
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Flexbox layouts
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Grid-based structures
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Custom web fonts
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Dynamic JavaScript content
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Responsive designs with breakpoints
Api2Pdf, on the other hand? It choked on grid layouts. Text overflowed, and the images didn't scale right.
2. Smart document customisation
With VeryPDF, I didn't just convert I controlled every aspect of the PDF output:
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Set paper size (A4, A3, whatever)
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Custom headers and footers
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Injected custom CSS before rendering
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Waited for specific JS elements before conversion
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Added page numbers and footers on the fly
I added --header-right=Page [page]/[toPage] and boom instant pagination.
Api2Pdf... well, good luck trying that without 10 workarounds.
3. Blazing fast + no CSS headaches
VeryPDF rendered the page in under 2 seconds.
Api2Pdf took longer and still messed up the charts.
4. Plays nice with third-party libraries
We use Highcharts for data visualisation.
With Api2Pdf, charts were hit-or-miss.
With VeryPDF? Pixel-perfect.
It even rendered our OpenStreetMap embed without any glitches.
Real-life win: PDF reports for our SaaS dashboard
Here's how I integrated VeryPDF into our platform:
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Triggered an API call from Node.js backend
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Passed raw HTML with Tailwind and embedded charts
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Used webhooks to get the converted PDF URL
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Auto-emailed the PDF to clients
No cron jobs. No delays. No broken layouts.
Just automated, production-grade PDFs generated in milliseconds.
Who should use VeryPDF?
If any of these sound familiar, you need to try it out:
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You're a dev or engineer needing HTML to PDF automation
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You've got CSS-heavy or dynamic content (JS charts, embeds, etc.)
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You're working with sensitive data (HIPAA compliance? Sorted.)
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You want flexible, developer-friendly API control
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You're tired of debugging broken layouts from other tools
This isn't just for web devs. It's gold for:
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SaaS platforms
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Content management systems
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Healthcare apps
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Reporting dashboards
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Legal or financial tools needing perfect formatting
The edge over Api2Pdf
Let's not sugar-coat it.
Api2Pdf is good for basic conversions. But if you're dealing with anything complex?
It buckles.
We saw:
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Crashed fonts
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Broken grid layouts
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No dynamic JS rendering
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Limited control over output format
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Slower processing
VeryPDF gave us:
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Faster conversion speeds
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Higher fidelity output
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Better support for CSS and JS
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Zero surprises in the output
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Simpler integration with custom workflows
The verdict?
I'm not here to bash Api2Pdf it's decent for lightweight use.
But if your business needs bulletproof PDF conversion with advanced CSS, dynamic scripts, and pixel-perfect layouts...
VeryPDF wins. Hands down.
Give it a try
If you're wasting time cleaning up messy PDFs, just stop.
Switch to VeryPDF Webpage to PDF Converter API.
I'd highly recommend this to any dev building with high-stakes document output.
Custom Development Services by VeryPDF
Need something a little more tailored?
VeryPDF builds custom tools seriously powerful stuff.
From virtual printer drivers to barcode recognition, file conversion on Linux servers to full-on PDF workflows with OCR they've got you covered.
Whether you're on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, or the cloud, they can develop exactly what you need:
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Custom PDF tools (JavaScript, C#, Python, PHP...)
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API integrations for your internal apps
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Hook layers for monitoring print jobs or system APIs
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Font embedding, digital signatures, or PDF security
Need HIPAA-compliant PDF generation? Done.
Need server-side conversion on demand? Done.
Just drop them a line at support.verypdf.com and they'll hook you up.
FAQs
Can VeryPDF handle Tailwind CSS or Bootstrap pages?
Yes, flawlessly. I've used it for both and the output matches the browser preview every time.
Does VeryPDF store my PDFs after conversion?
Nope. By default, nothing is stored perfect for sensitive data. You can enable temporary storage if you want.
What if I need to convert a batch of URLs?
Batch conversions are supported. You can even run them in parallel for huge performance gains.
Is there an SDK for JavaScript or Python?
Not at the moment, but the REST API is dead simple. I integrated it with Node.js in minutes using fetch.
Can I schedule automatic PDF generation?
Yes. Just use webhooks and a scheduler like CRON or your backend system. Works like a charm.