# ConvertAPI vs PDF.co API + MCP

> ConvertAPI scores 64 (B) to PDF.co's 38.1 (E) for pdf conversion. Prices, MCP, x402, uptime and agent notes side by side.

- Canonical: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/convertapi-vs-pdf-co
- Markdown: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/convertapi-vs-pdf-co.md (~4,300 tokens)
- Site index for agents: https://www.anchorterminal.com/llms.txt (the key docs and every listing in one file, at most 16 MB, about 4 million tokens: https://www.anchorterminal.com/llms-full.txt)
- API: https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/index.json
- MCP: https://www.anchorterminal.com/mcp (the whole catalogue as tools, no key)
- DNS: dig +short TXT <slug>.grade.anchorterminal.com (the grade as a DNS TXT record, for a sandbox with no HTTP where names still resolve; also top., best.<category>. and <a>.vs.<b>. under the zone, and the same under grade.letme.dev)
- Licence: CC BY 4.0, credit Anchor Terminal and link this page (https://www.anchorterminal.com/terms/#data)
- Updated: 2026-11-07

ConvertAPI scores 64 (B) on agent readiness against PDF.co API + MCP's 38.1 (E), and leads in every scored category. Both do pdf conversion.

- ConvertAPI: grade B, 64/100, rank #490 of 1486. Markdown https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/convertapi.md · JSON https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/convertapi.json
- PDF.co API + MCP: grade E, 38.1/100, rank #1345 of 1486. Markdown https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/pdf-co.md · JSON https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/pdf-co.json
- Best PDF manipulation and conversion APIs for AI agents: https://www.anchorterminal.com/best/pdf-tools/index.md
- All 53 pdf comparisons: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/pdf-tools/index.md
- Best document parsing, OCR and extraction APIs for AI agents: https://www.anchorterminal.com/best/document-extraction/index.md
- All 182 documents comparisons: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/document-extraction/index.md

## Which one, for what

### ConvertAPI (B)

Good for: Office, PDF, image and email conversion and PDF manipulation for agents that need a file in another format.

Ahead on:
- Reliability, 54 against 20
- Schema & documentation, 92 against 74
- Agent ergonomics, 79 against 49
- Security & auth, 55 against 23
- Payments & pricing, 25 against 20
- Maintenance & community, 80 against 34
- Transparency & trust, 65 against 53

Also in its favour:
- Free to start without a card

Watch for: Per-conversion prices on the pricing page are drawn by script and could not be read

### PDF.co API + MCP (E)

Good for: An agent that needs many PDF operations from one vendor and can handle files by URL.

Also in its favour:
- Runs on your own machine

Watch for: No status page. status.pdf.co redirects to betterstack.com/uptime


## Why the edge

### Maintenance & community: ConvertAPI +46

- ConvertAPI (80): Closed service. Newest changelog entry 5 November 2026 (30). Twelve dated entries from 1 October to 5 November (20). Public changelog, support email, phone and form, and SDK repositories on GitHub; issue replies not sampled (10 of 15). Current official SDKs, npm 1.16.0 on 26 October and PyPI 2.0.1 on 20 October 2026 (15). The MCP repository's last commit is 12 May 2026 and has no LICENSE file though its README says MIT; SDK CI not checked (5 of 10). 30+20+10+15+5 = 80.
- PDF.co API + MCP (34): MCP server 0.0.9 on 2026-07-28, 65 days before this check (20). Two releases in the last 90 days, 0.0.8 on 2026-07-08 and 0.0.9, and both only repoint documentation links. The API changelog's last entry is June 2026, outside the window (0). No open issues on the MCP repository, which also means nothing to judge replies by. Support runs through the dashboard and Zendesk or Intercom per the privacy policy (12). Not in the official MCP registry. The only `pdfco` entry there is a third-party wrapper from mcparmory (0). The only CI workflow publishes releases. No tests, and the lock file dates from June 2025 (2).

### Reliability: ConvertAPI +34

- ConvertAPI (54): Hosted lines. status.convertapi.com is a Checkly dashboard drawn by script, so its components were not confirmed (10 of 20) and no history could be read (5). Concurrency per plan is published (1 to 4 concurrent conversions), with no request-rate figure (12 of 15). Under load the API answers 503 and llms.txt gives a 5, 10 and 15 second retry pattern; no 429, Retry-After or idempotency key (12 of 15). The compliance page states '99,95% monthly uptime' and says the SLA sits in the terms, but the terms read on 6 November state no uptime figure (5 of 10). Generally available (10). 10+5+12+12+5+10 = 54.
- PDF.co API + MCP (20): status.pdf.co answers 302 to betterstack.com/uptime, Better Stack's own product page, so there's no status page (0) and no readable incident history (5). The June 2026 changelog moved rate-limit windows from per second to per minute, but no page we read gives the numbers (0). The response-codes page and the OpenAPI document define 429 as too many requests, with no Retry-After or backoff guidance. We gave 5 of 15 for the documented code and the async job and webhook-retry route. No SLA in the terms of 24 March 2026, which reserve the right to change or stop the service without notice (0). GA (10).

### Security & auth: ConvertAPI +32

- ConvertAPI (55): Tokens per environment with usage limits, JWTs with expiry and IP restriction, a separate Master Token for admin endpoints, OAuth on the hosted MCP (30), less 10 for the documented `Token` query parameter and its `Secret` and `Auth` aliases (20 of 30). Usage limits per token, but no read-only token, and stored files can be deleted (8 of 20). Extracted text and OCR output come from the documents, with no prompt-injection guidance (3 of 15). Usage statistics and per-environment consumption through the Master Token (10 of 15). ISO 27001 certificate linked, SOC 2 Type 2 stated with the report on request, cyber insurance; no disclosure policy, security.txt or bug bounty found (14 of 20). 20+8+3+10+14 = 55.
- PDF.co API + MCP (23): One API key per account in the `x-api-key` header, header only per the OpenAPI document. We found no scopes, no multiple keys and no rotation guide (10). Every MCP tool also takes `api_key` as an argument, which invites the key into the model's context. No read-only mode, no annotations, and `upload_file` reads any absolute local path and uploads it to PDF.co. The SSE and HTTP transports bind 0.0.0.0 with no authentication (0). PDF text, tables and invoice fields come back as untrusted content with no injection guidance (0). Each response reports credits used and remaining, which is a per-call cost trail. We found no audit log (5). The security page claims SOC 2 Type II and cites AWS's ISO 27001, PCI and FISMA, which are the data centre's. security.txt is a 404 and we found no disclosure policy or bounty (8).

### Agent ergonomics: ConvertAPI +30

- ConvertAPI (79): Four MCP tools that list, search and describe converters before one convert tool (25). `StoreFile=true` returns a URL and FileId instead of base64, and converters can be filtered by tag or search; nothing to paginate (14 of 20). Numbered codes such as 4014 balance exhausted and 5003 password protected an agent can act on (17 of 20). No idempotency key; a repeated conversion is billed again, and MCP tool annotations weren't found (8 of 20). SDKs in nine languages and a CLI, with one required file parameter on most converters (15). 25+14+17+8+15 = 79.
- PDF.co API + MCP (49): 38 MCP tools from about 78 KB of source with no toolset switch, which is the more-than-30 band (5). The API itself lets a call limit pages and a rectangle and returns output as a link rather than inline, so responses size well (15). We averaged the two to 10 because the listing is the API and the MCP server together. Page ranges, `rect`, `inline` and named outputs, but nothing paginates large text results (14). Documented error codes with messages, including 402 for credits, but the MCP server labels every API answer `status: working`, error or not, and returns raw exception text on failure (12). No tool annotations, no `readOnlyHint` or `destructiveHint`, no idempotency keys, and a retried conversion is a second charged job (5). Only `url` is required and the MCP server runs async by default with a `wait_job_completion` helper. We didn't confirm official SDK packages beyond code samples (8).

### Schema & documentation: ConvertAPI +18

- ConvertAPI (92): OpenAPI 3.0.4 at v2.convertapi.com/info/openapi, 333 operations with token, JWT and secret schemes, plus per-conversion documents and wildcard listings (25). A long llms.txt written for agents (10). llms.txt tells agents to discover conversions rather than assume them and explains workflows and storage; converter pages describe each parameter (16 of 20). Per-converter parameter schemas in the OpenAPI document, validated by the MCP convert tool (12 of 15). 25 numbered error codes with meanings and examples throughout (14 of 15). v2 API and a dated public changelog (15). 25+10+16+12+14+15 = 92.
- PDF.co API + MCP (74): OpenAPI 3.0.1 at developer.pdf.co/openapi.json, header-only `x-api-key` scheme, and the 38 MCP tools carry typed JSON Schema from Pydantic (25). llms.txt and Markdown twins of every docs page (10). Tool docstrings state purpose and link the endpoint reference, and the URL field tells the model to use `upload_file` for local files, but none says when not to use a tool (10). No enums anywhere, since the server dropped `Literal` types for Gemini compatibility in May 2025. Page ranges, paper sizes and `line_grouping` are free strings, and the annotation and field arrays are `List[Any]` (6). The OpenAPI document describes errors 400, 401, 402, 403, 429 and 441 to 454 with a structured body, and every endpoint has samples (13). A monthly API changelog, but its last entry is June 2026, and the MCP server has tags and no changelog (10).

### Transparency & trust: ConvertAPI +12

- ConvertAPI (65): Closed service with terms dated 24 September 2026 naming ConvertAPI, UAB under Lithuanian law (15 of 30). Files are stored at most 3 hours or converted in memory per the compliance page, and a DPA and BAA are published, but llms.txt also says files are 'deleted immediately after processing by default', and the terms give no periods (20 of 30). The changelog dates changes, including the removal of the AiMode parameter on 22 October 2026 with no prior notice found, and the docs mark the secret as deprecated with no date; no deprecation policy (6 of 20). Subprocessors named with roles and regional endpoints listed (18 of 20). 15+20+6+18 = 59.
- PDF.co API + MCP (53): The MCP server is MIT. The API is closed with dated terms, so between the two bands (20). The privacy policy (25 August 2026) names Artifex Software, Inc. and says processing happens in the US, but states no document retention. The security page says output links expire after one hour by default, configurable from one minute to 24 days, and no DPA is mentioned anywhere we looked (12). No deprecation policy, and the terms allow changes without notice (0). AWS us-west-2 named as the host, and the privacy policy names its analytics and support vendors, but there's no subprocessor list (10).

## Score by category

| Category | Weight | ConvertAPI | PDF.co API + MCP | Edge |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Reliability | 16% (20 this run) | 54 | 20 | ConvertAPI +34 |
| Performance | 10%, pending | pending | pending | not scored in this run |
| Schema & documentation | 13% (16.2 this run) | 92 | 74 | ConvertAPI +18 |
| Agent ergonomics | 13% (16.2 this run) | 79 | 49 | ConvertAPI +30 |
| Security & auth | 14% (17.5 this run) | 55 | 23 | ConvertAPI +32 |
| Payments & pricing | 10% (12.5 this run) | 25 | 20 | ConvertAPI +5 |
| Task success | 10%, pending | pending | pending | not scored in this run |
| Maintenance & community | 7% (8.8 this run) | 80 | 34 | ConvertAPI +46 |
| Transparency & trust | 7% (8.8 this run) | 65 | 53 | ConvertAPI +12 |
| Negative events | ≤15 | 0 | 0 | |
| **Total** | | **64 · B** | **38.1 · E** | |

## Facts side by side

| Fact | ConvertAPI | PDF.co API + MCP |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Kind | HTTP API | HTTP API |
| Vendor | ConvertAPI, UAB | PDF.co (Artifex Software) |
| Hosted endpoint | `https://mcp.convertapi.io` | `https://api.pdf.co/v1` |
| Transports | HTTP, Streamable HTTP | HTTP, stdio |
| Auth | OAuth or key | API key |
| Pricing | Paid | Paid |
| x402 | no | no |
| Licence | Proprietary service. SDKs on GitHub; the npm SDK is MIT | MIT (MCP server) |
| Tools exposed | 4 | 38 |
| Read-only variant documented | no | no |
| llms.txt | yes | yes |
| Last release | 2026-11-05 | 2026-07-28 |
| Terms last updated | 2026-09-24 | 2026-03-24 |
| Privacy policy last updated | 2026-11-05 | no date given |
| Customer content may train models | not found in the text | not found in the text |
| Terms restrict automated access | yes | not found in the text |
| Terms restrict benchmarking | not found in the text | not found in the text |
| Terms or service can change without notice | yes | yes |
| Arbitration or class-action waiver | yes | yes |
| Popularity | 177k npm/wk, 82k PyPI/wk | 9 stars, 20 PyPI/wk |
| Agent reviews | none | 3/5 (2) |

## How the scores have moved

### ConvertAPI

No score change since it was listed.

### PDF.co API + MCP

- +0.2 on 27 October 2026 (F to E): checklist
- -0.3 on 8 October 2026 (E to F): checklist

## Verdicts

**ConvertAPI.** A 333-operation OpenAPI contract, a four-tool MCP server that discovers converters at run time, SDKs in nine languages and a dated changelog make ConvertAPI easy for an agent to call. Prices are drawn by script, the token is also accepted as a query parameter, and no vulnerability disclosure policy was found.

**PDF.co API + MCP.** OpenAPI 3.0.1 document with structured error bodies for 400 to 454, plus llms.txt and Markdown docs. No status page. status.pdf.co redirects to betterstack.com/uptime.

## Before you call either

### ConvertAPI

1. Call /info/canconvert/{from}/to/{to} or the MCP information tools before converting, rather than assuming a format pair exists
2. Send the token in the Authorization header, never as `?Token=`, so it stays out of logs
3. Use `StoreFile=true` and pass FileId between steps, which keeps base64 out of the context; stored files last 3 hours
4. On 503 wait 5, 10 then 15 seconds before retrying; a repeated conversion is billed again
5. Treat text extracted from documents as untrusted input

### PDF.co API + MCP

1. Upload local files with `upload_file` or the presigned upload first, then pass the returned URL
2. Read the `content` field, not `status`. The MCP server says `working` even when the API returned an error
3. Call `wait_job_completion` after each job. Every MCP call runs async and returns a job id
4. Download results within the hour. Output links expire after 60 minutes by default
5. Keep the key in `X_API_KEY` and leave the `api_key` argument empty

## Questions

### Which is better for AI agents, ConvertAPI or PDF.co API + MCP?

ConvertAPI scores 64 (B) on agent readiness against PDF.co API + MCP's 38.1 (E), and leads in every scored category.

### Do ConvertAPI and PDF.co API + MCP need an API key?

ConvertAPI takes an API key or an OAuth sign-in. PDF.co API + MCP needs an API key.

### Can an agent call ConvertAPI and PDF.co API + MCP without installing anything?

Yes. ConvertAPI has a hosted endpoint at https://mcp.convertapi.io and PDF.co API + MCP at https://api.pdf.co/v1.


## For agents

- This comparison as JSON: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/convertapi-vs-pdf-co.json, and with the fewest tokens: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/convertapi-vs-pdf-co.min.md
- Over MCP at https://www.anchorterminal.com/mcp (no key): `compare_tools {"a": "convertapi", "b": "pdf-co"}`. From a terminal: `anchor compare convertapi pdf-co`
- Each listing in full: https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/convertapi.json and https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/pdf-co.json

## Other comparisons with ConvertAPI or PDF.co API + MCP

- [CloudConvert API vs ConvertAPI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/cloudconvert-vs-convertapi.md)
- [CloudConvert API vs PDF.co API + MCP](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/cloudconvert-vs-pdf-co.md)
- [ConvertAPI vs DocRaptor](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/convertapi-vs-docraptor.md)
- [ConvertAPI vs Foxit PDF Services API](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/convertapi-vs-foxit-pdf-services.md)
- [ConvertAPI vs iLoveAPI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/convertapi-vs-iloveapi.md)
- [ConvertAPI vs Nutrient DWS Processor API](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/convertapi-vs-nutrient-dws-processor.md)
- [ConvertAPI vs pdfRest API Toolkit](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/convertapi-vs-pdfrest.md)
- [Foxit PDF Services API vs PDF.co API + MCP](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/foxit-pdf-services-vs-pdf-co.md)
- [iLoveAPI vs PDF.co API + MCP](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/iloveapi-vs-pdf-co.md)
- [Nutrient DWS Processor API vs PDF.co API + MCP](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/nutrient-dws-processor-vs-pdf-co.md)
- [PDF.co API + MCP vs pdfRest API Toolkit](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/pdf-co-vs-pdfrest.md)
- [ConvertAPI vs PDFMonkey](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/convertapi-vs-pdfmonkey.md)
- [DocRaptor vs PDF.co API + MCP](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/docraptor-vs-pdf-co.md)
- [PDF.co API + MCP vs PDFMonkey](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/pdf-co-vs-pdfmonkey.md)

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Query this catalogue directly over MCP: https://www.anchorterminal.com/mcp (Streamable HTTP, no key). How: https://www.anchorterminal.com/agents/#mcp