Google Document AI alternative for teams that want JSON, Markdown and CSV in one call
PdfParse is a Google Document AI alternative for US developers who want JSON, Markdown and CSV from one API call instead of choosing a processor per document type and mapping each response. Google is cheaper per page on list rates for plain OCR, 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 Document AI when you need Google Cloud controls or its specialized processors such as the bank statement and W2 parsers.
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
Google Document AI and PdfParse side by side
Document AI is a family of processors behind a Google Cloud project. You create a processor per task, such as Enterprise Document OCR, Form Parser, Layout Parser, Custom Extractor or a specialized parser, then convert each response into the shape your application needs. PdfParse returns the three output formats together and bills one page allowance.
| What matters | Google Document AI | PdfParse |
|---|---|---|
| Billing unit | Per 1,000 pages for general processors, per document for several specialized ones | Monthly page allowance, scans at the same page price |
| Entry price | Pay as you go, with the first 1,000 pages of Enterprise Document OCR free each month | Starter is $49 monthly or $24 per month billed yearly, with 2,000 pages |
| Plain text | Enterprise Document OCR at $1.50 per 1,000 pages | PDF extraction on every plan |
| Layout and chunks | Layout Parser at $10 per 1,000 pages, including initial chunking | Markdown and table output on every plan |
| Structured fields | Form Parser and Custom Extractor at $30 per 1,000 pages | Growth includes up to 10 schemas with field confidence and source pages |
| Output formats | Document JSON, with Markdown and chunks from Layout Parser | JSON, Markdown and CSV in one call |
| Tables | Form Parser and Layout Parser return table structures you convert to CSV | Table extraction and CSV output on every plan |
| Setup | GCP project, billing account, processor per task, regional endpoint | API key, Python and Node SDKs |
| Who it suits | Teams already standardized on Google Cloud | Developers who want results ready for their application |
Google rates here come from the Document AI pricing page for the standard consumption model, checked October 27, 2026. Savings plans and volume tiers change the rate, 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 and ignores the free first 1,000 OCR pages.
| Google processor | Rate per 1,000 pages | Google cost for 7,000 pages | PdfParse Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enterprise Document OCR | $1.50 | $10.50 | $149 monthly or $74 monthly equivalent billed yearly |
| Layout Parser | $10 | $70 | $149 monthly or $74 monthly equivalent billed yearly |
| Form Parser | $30 | $210 | $149 monthly or $74 monthly equivalent billed yearly |
| Custom Extractor | $30 | $210 | $149 monthly or $74 monthly equivalent billed yearly |
Google costs less for raw OCR and layout at this volume. The picture changes when the work is fields and tables: Form Parser and Custom Extractor at 7,000 pages cost $210, above Growth at $149. Growth also includes signed webhooks and batch jobs, which on Google Cloud mean 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 processor per document. One endpoint handles digital PDFs and scans, so you do not route between OCR, Form Parser and Layout Parser.
- Review uncertain fields. Growth schemas return confidence and source pages, helping reviewers check values against the original PDF.
- Skip the cloud setup. No project, billing account, IAM role or processor version to manage before the first page parses.
How to evaluate a move from Google Document AI
Keep the comparison tied to your current workflow and its acceptance criteria.
-
1
List which processors each document type calls. Note any custom extractors you trained and the labeling effort behind them.
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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.
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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.
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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 Google Document AI is the better pick
Document AI is the better pick when the surrounding Google Cloud platform matters more than the parser.
- Your documents already live in Cloud Storage and your pipeline runs on Google Cloud, with IAM, regional endpoints and one invoice.
- You need specialized parsers for US bank statements, pay slips, W2s, driver licenses or passports. PdfParse does not offer those prebuilt models.
- You mostly need plain OCR, where $1.50 per 1,000 pages is hard to beat.
- You process very large volumes where tiers and savings plans push the rate well below list. 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 Google Document AI
PdfParse is a strong alternative for developers who want JSON, Markdown and CSV from one API call without a Google Cloud project or a processor per document type. Document AI stays the better choice when you run on Google Cloud, need its specialized parsers or only need low cost OCR.
How much does Google Document AI cost
Google lists pay as you go rates per 1,000 pages: Enterprise Document OCR $1.50, Layout Parser $10, and Form Parser and Custom Extractor $30. Invoice and expense parsers are $0.10 per document. The first 1,000 OCR pages each month are free. Confirm current rates on the Google Cloud pricing page.
Is Google Document AI free
Google lets you process the first 1,000 pages of Enterprise Document OCR each month at no charge, and new Google Cloud accounts may receive trial credit. Other processors are billed from the first page. PdfParse lets you parse page one in your browser with no card, and ongoing API use requires a subscription.
Is PdfParse cheaper than Google Document AI
Not for plain OCR, where Google lists $1.50 per 1,000 pages. For field extraction it can be. Form Parser at 7,000 pages costs $210 at list rates, while PdfParse Growth is $149 for 7,000 pages with JSON, Markdown and CSV included.
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.