Azure Document Intelligence alternative for teams that want JSON, Markdown and CSV in one call
PdfParse is an Azure Document Intelligence alternative for US developers who want JSON, Markdown and CSV from a single API call instead of stitching together Read, Layout and prebuilt model responses. Azure is cheaper per page on list rates for plain layout work, so the case for switching is less code, one bill by page allowance and schemas with confidence scores and source pages on Growth. Stay on Azure when you need its regional controls or prebuilt models for tax forms.
Parse your own PDF before you switch
Start with an invoice or scan from your actual workflow. Inspect fields, text and tables against the source before changing your integration.
Use the API evaluation to check extraction across complete documents.
What one call returns
Page one rendered with every block outlined, next to the JSON your code receives.
- Reading text layer
- Detecting layout
- Extracting tables
- Building JSON
Headings, paragraphs, tables and totals detected
Portsmouth, NH 03801
| Description | Qty | Unit | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oak countertop, 2.4 m | 2 | 640.00 | 1,280.00 |
| Cabinet doors, shaker | 12 | 85.00 | 1,020.00 |
| On site fitting | 1 | 450.00 | 450.00 |
Quote the invoice number with your transfer.
Goods remain ours until paid in full.
Pages 2 and later are parsed after you create an account.
{ "document": { "pages": 2, "parsed_pages": 1, "language": "en" }, "pages": [ { "number": 1, "blocks": [ { "type": "heading", "text": "Invoice", "bbox": [48, 52, 132, 84] }, { "type": "paragraph", "text": "Harbor Street Joinery, 14 Dock Lane, Portsmouth" }, { "type": "key_value", "pairs": { "Invoice no.": "INV-2026-0418", "Issued": "Oct 14, 2026", "Due": "Nov 13, 2026" } }, { "type": "table", "columns": ["Description", "Qty", "Unit", "Amount"], "rows": [ ["Oak countertop, 2.4 m", 2, 640.00, 1280.00], ["Cabinet doors, shaker", 12, 85.00, 1020.00], ["On site fitting", 1, 450.00, 450.00] ] }, { "type": "total", "label": "Total due", "value": 2983.75, "currency": "USD", "confidence": 0.98 } ] } ], "fields": { "invoice_number": { "value": "INV-2026-0418", "confidence": 0.99, "page": 1 }, "total": { "value": 2983.75, "confidence": 0.98, "page": 1 }, "due_date": { "value": "2026-11-13", "confidence": 0.97, "page": 1 } } }
Downloads from the demo include a watermark field and cover page one only.
Page one is parsed in your browser, so your file never reaches our servers.
One demo per day from this network. Create an account to parse more pages.
$ curl https://api.pdfparse.ai/v1/parse \ -H "Authorization: Bearer $PDFPARSE_API_KEY" \ -F file[email protected] \ -F outputs=json,markdown,csv
Azure Document Intelligence and PdfParse side by side
Azure Document Intelligence is a set of models behind an Azure resource. You pick Read, Layout, a prebuilt model or a custom model per call, then convert the analyze result into the shape your application needs. PdfParse returns the three output formats together and bills one page allowance.
| What matters | Azure Document Intelligence | PdfParse |
|---|---|---|
| Billing unit | Per 1,000 pages, with a different rate per model | Monthly page allowance, scans at the same page price |
| Entry price | Pay as you go, with a free tier of 500 pages per month | Starter is $49 monthly or $24 per month billed yearly, with 2,000 pages |
| Plain text and layout | Read $1.50 and Layout $10 per 1,000 pages | PDF extraction on every plan |
| Structured fields | Prebuilt models at $10, custom extraction at $30 per 1,000 pages | Growth includes up to 10 schemas with field confidence and source pages |
| Output formats | Analyze result JSON, with Markdown output on Layout | JSON, Markdown and CSV in one call |
| Tables | Layout returns table structures you convert to your format | Table extraction and CSV output on every plan |
| Setup | Azure subscription, resource, keys and region choice | API key, Python and Node SDKs |
| Deployment | Azure regions, private networking and container options | Managed API; Enterprise offers an EU or US processing region |
| Who it suits | Teams already standardized on Azure | Developers who want results ready for their application |
Azure rates here come from the Azure retail price list for the S0 tier in the East US region, checked October 26, 2026. Rates vary by region and commitment tier, so confirm yours before comparing.
What 7,000 pages a month cost
This is list rate arithmetic for 7,000 pages, the Growth allowance. It compares extraction charges only.
| Azure model | Rate per 1,000 pages | Azure cost for 7,000 pages | PdfParse Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Read | $1.50 | $10.50 | $149 monthly or $74 monthly equivalent billed yearly |
| Layout | $10 | $70 | $149 monthly or $74 monthly equivalent billed yearly |
| Prebuilt such as invoice | $10 | $70 | $149 monthly or $74 monthly equivalent billed yearly |
| Custom extraction | $30 | $210 | $149 monthly or $74 monthly equivalent billed yearly |
Azure costs less for raw reading and layout at this volume. The comparison turns on what you build around it. Growth includes schemas, signed webhooks and batch jobs, which on Azure mean training or configuring custom models, plus your own queue and result mapping. PdfParse counts pages, not documents, and unused pages do not roll over. Yearly figures require an annual subscription.
What makes switching worth evaluating
Switching is worth testing when the engineering around the parser costs more than the parser.
- Skip the assembly. Request JSON for application logic, Markdown for text processing and CSV for tables from the same call.
- Avoid choosing a model per document. One endpoint handles digital PDFs and scans, so you do not route between Read, Layout and prebuilt models.
- Review uncertain fields. Growth schemas return confidence and source pages, helping reviewers check values against the original PDF.
- Use one allowance. Budget from monthly page volume instead of a rate per model.
How to evaluate a move from Azure Document Intelligence
Keep the comparison tied to your current workflow and its acceptance criteria.
-
1
List which Azure models each document type calls. Note any custom models you trained and the labeling effort behind them.
-
2
Count monthly pages, including scans and long files, and choose an allowance that covers the workload.
-
3
Put POST /v1/parse behind your ingestion interface using the Python or Node SDK. Request JSON, Markdown and CSV together, keeping document identifiers attached to the results.
-
4
Create required field schemas through POST /v1/schemas on Growth or above. Compare missing values, confidence, source pages and table relationships against your existing validation rules.
-
5
Map signed webhooks and batch jobs into your completion handlers. Review output quality and the result mapping code you can remove before deciding which processing to move.
Request three outputs in Python
Use the Python SDK to request the output bundle and print the Markdown. Read the API key from your runtime environment instead of putting a credential in source code.
The output request does not define a custom field schema. Create schemas separately through POST /v1/schemas on Growth or above, then follow the API documentation for their use.
import os
from pdfparse_ai import PdfParse
client = PdfParse(api_key=os.environ["PDFPARSE_API_KEY"])
result = client.parse("document.pdf", outputs=["json", "markdown", "csv"])
print(result.markdown)When Azure Document Intelligence is the better pick
Azure is the better pick when the surrounding Azure platform matters more than the parser.
- Your data must stay inside your Azure tenant, with private endpoints, managed identity or a specific Azure region.
- You need prebuilt models for tax forms, ID documents or health insurance cards. PdfParse does not offer those prebuilt models.
- You process very large volumes where Azure commitment tiers push the rate well below list.
- You need container deployment on your own infrastructure. PdfParse is a managed API and does not offer a HIPAA BAA on its plans.
Choose a plan for your monthly PDF volume
Every plan includes the three outputs. Schemas, signed webhooks and batch jobs start on Growth. Yearly prices are monthly equivalents of annual subscriptions.
| Plan | Yearly billing | Monthly billing | Pages per month | Fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | $24 per month | $49 per month | 2,000 | Standard outputs and scanned PDFs |
| Growth | $74 per month | $149 per month | 7,000 | Up to 10 schemas, webhooks and batch jobs |
| Scale | $249 per month | $499 per month | 24,000 | Unlimited schemas and zero retention mode |
| Enterprise | $749 per month | $1,499 per month | 72,000 | An EU or US processing region |
When the allowance runs out, parsing pauses without automatic overage charges. More pages require a higher plan. Unused pages do not roll over.
- Starter 2,000 pages, 1 API key, 1 seat $49 per month $24 per month, $288 billed yearly
- Growth 7,000 pages, 5 API keys, 3 seats $149 per month $74 per month, $888 billed yearly
- Scale 24,000 pages, 20 API keys, 10 seats $499 per month $249 per month, $2,988 billed yearly
- Enterprise 72,000 pages, unlimited API keys with per key limits, 25 seats $1,499 per month $749 per month, $8,988 billed yearly
FAQ
What is the best alternative to Azure Document Intelligence
PdfParse is a strong alternative for developers who want JSON, Markdown and CSV from one API call without provisioning an Azure resource or assembling results from analyze operations. Azure stays the better choice when you need Azure region controls, prebuilt tax forms or private networking inside your tenant.
How much does Azure Document Intelligence cost
Azure lists pay as you go rates per 1,000 pages: Read $1.50, Layout and prebuilt models $10, and custom extraction $30. A free tier covers 500 pages per month. Volume commitment tiers lower the rate for large workloads. Confirm current rates for your region on the Azure pricing page.
Is Azure Document Intelligence free
Azure offers a free tier of 500 pages per month with limits on features and throughput. Beyond that, pages are billed per 1,000. PdfParse lets you parse page one of a PDF in your browser with no card, and ongoing API use requires a subscription.
Is Azure Document Intelligence the same as Form Recognizer
Yes. Form Recognizer was renamed Azure AI Document Intelligence. It offers Read, Layout, prebuilt models such as invoice and receipt, and custom extraction models. If you evaluate alternatives, compare against the model you actually call, since the rate differs by model.
Is PdfParse cheaper than Azure Document Intelligence
Not per page on Azure list rates. Azure Layout costs $10 per 1,000 pages, or about $0.01 a page, while PdfParse Growth is $149 for 7,000 pages. PdfParse can cost less once you need custom extraction at $30 per 1,000 pages, or count the engineering time spent on result assembly.
Test your workflow with your own PDF
Try page one in your browser without a card. Compare fields, text and tables, then evaluate the API against your volume and workflow requirements.