@react-pdf/renderer vs puppeteer
Side-by-side comparison of @react-pdf/renderer and puppeteer
- Weekly Downloads
- 1.7M
- Stars
- 16.4K
- Gzip Size
- —
- License
- MIT
- Last Updated
- 1d ago
- Open Issues
- 442
- Forks
- 1.3K
- Unpacked Size
- 265.7 kB
- Dependencies
- —
- Weekly Downloads
- 7.3M
- Stars
- 93.5K
- Gzip Size
- 1.8 MB
- License
- Apache-2.0
- Last Updated
- 2d ago
- Open Issues
- 283
- Forks
- 9.4K
- Unpacked Size
- 63.0 kB
- Dependencies
- 72
Download Trends
Verdict
The @react-pdf/renderer package excels in generating PDF files both in the browser and on the server, making it well-suited for projects requiring custom document creation, notably in React applications. In contrast, Puppeteer offers a higher-level API to automate headless Chrome, serving use cases focused on web scraping, automated testing, and browser automation tasks.
For teams heavily involved in React and document generation, @react-pdf/renderer is a natural fit, especially for smaller to medium-sized projects. Meanwhile, Puppeteer is better for developers who work on automation, want to control web applications, or need browser functionalities without heavy overhead, making it more suitable for larger projects or those with complex testing needs.
While both packages are actively maintained, potential users should consider the dependency and loading implications for their specific use case. The larger unpacked size of Puppeteer may be a trade-off for its extensive capabilities, while @react-pdf/renderer offers a more lightweight approach focused on PDF rendering.
Detailed Comparison
| Criteria | @react-pdf/renderer | puppeteer |
|---|---|---|
| License | MIT, permissive and straightforward. | Apache-2.0, includes clauses for contributions. |
| Version | Version 4.3.2, stable for PDF creation. | Version 24.37.2, recent and reliable for automation. |
| Description | Specializes in PDF creation within React. | Focuses on controlling headless Chrome. |
| Open Issues | 442 open issues, suggesting ongoing development needs. | ✓283 open issues, indicating better issue management. |
| GitHub Stars | With 16.4K stars, it has a solid following. | ✓93.5K stars highlight significant popularity. |
| Unpacked Size | 265.7 kB, reasonable for a PDF creation library. | ✓63.0 kB, very lightweight for browser automation. |
| Learning Curve | Moderate, particularly for non-React users. | ✓Manageable, especially for those familiar with Chrome. |
| Target Use Case | Ideal for document-heavy applications. | Best suited for testing and automation projects. |
| Team Experience | Requires React knowledge for effective use. | ✓More general, suited for diverse developer skill sets. |
| Weekly Downloads | 1.7M downloads indicate strong community use. | ✓7.3M downloads show extensive adoption in automation. |
| Bundle Size (gzip) | Not specified for @react-pdf/renderer. | ✓1.8 MB offers significant capabilities but is larger. |
| Development Activity | Last updated on 2026-02-07, showing active maintenance. | Last updated on 2026-02-06, also actively maintained. |