AI-powered document extraction without templates or coding. Upload any document format and get structured data in Excel, Google Sheets, or CSV. Plain-language prompts replace API calls and custom code.
Score Breakdown
Accuracy
9.8
Ease of Use
9.7
Pricing
9.2
Integrations
8.8
Versatility
9.6
Support
9.3
Pros
No coding required -business users can extract data directly
Handles any document type on first upload without templates
Built-in email ingestion, batch processing, and ERP-formatted export
Cons
Newer platform with a growing integration ecosystem
Verdict
Lido is the strongest PDF.co alternative for teams that need document extraction without developer involvement. It handles format variation, scanned documents, and multi-vendor workflows that PDF.co's invoice parser cannot.
{"competitor": "PDF.co", "chooseThem": "You need a developer API for PDF manipulation (converting, merging, splitting, form filling, barcode reading), or you're building a custom document pipeline and only need basic invoice parsing as one component.", "chooseUs": "You need to extract structured data from varied document formats at scale, the people doing the work are not developers, or you need extracted data in a specific format for ERP import without manual reformatting."}
2. Nanonets
Nanonets is an ML-powered document extraction platform with pre-trained models for invoices, receipts, and purchase orders. It includes human review workflows for validation.
From $499/month
7.2/10
Machine learning document extraction with pre-trained models and custom model training. Includes review workflows and approval queues for human-in-the-loop validation.
Score Breakdown
Accuracy
7.5
Ease of Use
7.5
Pricing
6.0
Integrations
7.0
Versatility
7.5
Support
7.0
Pros
Pre-trained models work well on standard invoices and receipts
Review workflows with approval queues for validation
API-first design for developer teams
Cons
Starting at $499/month -expensive for small teams
Custom model training takes 2-4 weeks
Verdict
A good fit for teams with high volume on standard document types who want ML-powered accuracy. The price point and training time put it out of reach for teams needing quick setup.
3. Docsumo
Docsumo is an AI-powered intelligent document processing platform with pre-trained models for financial documents and built-in approval workflows.
Custom pricing
7.3/10
AI document extraction with pre-trained models for financial documents. Includes review interface, approval workflows, and ERP integrations for accounts payable automation.
Score Breakdown
Accuracy
7.8
Ease of Use
7.0
Pricing
6.5
Integrations
7.5
Versatility
7.5
Support
7.5
Pros
Strong pre-trained models for financial documents
Built-in review and approval workflows
Direct ERP integrations for AP automation
Cons
Custom pricing requires sales conversation
Setup complexity increases with non-standard document types
Verdict
A solid choice for finance teams focused on invoice and AP automation. Pre-trained models work well on standard financial documents but need more configuration for other use cases.
4. Parseur
Parseur is a template-based email and document parser with a dedicated inbox. It handles both email body text and attachments with a no-code interface. If you are evaluating Parseur specifically, see our full Parseur alternative comparison.
From $19/month
7.5/10
Template-based email and document parser with a dedicated inbox. Supports both email body and attachment parsing with direct integrations to spreadsheets and business tools.
Score Breakdown
Accuracy
7.5
Ease of Use
8.0
Pricing
8.0
Integrations
7.5
Versatility
7.0
Support
7.0
Pros
No-code interface accessible to business users
Parses both email body text and attachments
Lower entry price at $19/month
Cons
Template-based -requires a template per document format
Templates break when vendor layouts change
Verdict
Best for teams parsing a small number of stable email or PDF formats. Unlike PDF.co, no coding required -but the template maintenance burden grows with format variety.
5. Docparser
Docparser uses zone-based extraction rules with a visual builder for consistent PDF documents. You define extraction regions and Docparser pulls data from those zones. See our complete guide on Docparser alternatives.
From $39/month
6.8/10
Rule-based PDF parsing with visual zone selection. Define extraction areas on a template document and pull structured data from matching PDFs. Integrates with Zapier and Google Sheets.
Score Breakdown
Accuracy
7.0
Ease of Use
7.5
Pricing
6.5
Integrations
7.0
Versatility
5.5
Support
7.0
Pros
Visual zone builder is intuitive for fixed-layout PDFs
No coding required unlike PDF.co
Reliable on consistent document formats
Cons
Zone-based rules break when layouts shift
Limited to PDFs with predictable structures
Verdict
Best for teams with a small number of consistent PDF formats where fields always appear in the same position. A no-code alternative to PDF.co but shares the same scaling problem with format variation.
PDF.co vs. Lido: a direct comparison
The core difference: PDF.co is a PDF manipulation API with an invoice parser bolted on. Lido is a document extraction platform built for getting structured data out of any document and into your systems.
LidoPDF.co
Primary use caseStructured data extraction from any document typePDF manipulation API: convert, merge, split, fill forms
Who can use itBusiness users. No code required.Developers only. Every operation requires API calls.
Document typesAny: invoices, POs, bank statements, packing slips, and moreDedicated parsing for invoices only. Others require custom API code.
Output controlDefine exact columns, date formats, number formattingFixed JSON schema. Reformatting requires additional code.
Scanned documentsAI vision reads scanned, faxed, and handwritten docs nativelyOCR available but inconsistent on degraded inputs
ValidationBuilt-in fuzzy matching against vendor master and catalogsNo built-in validation. Requires custom development.
WorkflowEmail ingestion, batch upload, automated processing built inOne document per API call. Workflow requires Zapier or custom code.
PricingUSD 29/month for 100 pages, 50-page free trialCredit-based, per API call. Free tier available.
When PDF.co is the right choice
PDF.co is a reasonable tool for teams that need PDF manipulation utilities, not document data extraction. If your workflow is converting PDFs to images, merging multiple PDFs, filling form fields programmatically, or generating PDFs from HTML, PDF.co does this well and its API is straightforward.
If you have a developer team building a custom document pipeline and only need to parse a small number of standardized invoice formats, PDF.co's invoice parser endpoint can be one component in that stack. The API returns structured JSON and integrates with Zapier and Make for basic automation.
PDF.co is not the right choice when your team needs to extract data from varied document formats at scale, when the people doing the work are not developers, or when you need extracted data in a specific format for ERP import without manual reformatting.
How to test Lido against PDF.co
Step 1. Sign up for the free trial at lido.app. No credit card required. 50 pages to test.
Step 2. Upload documents that gave PDF.co trouble -scanned invoices, varied vendor formats, multi-page documents with complex tables. Describe the fields you need in plain English.
Step 3. Compare the results. Note how long it takes versus writing API calls and parsing JSON responses. If an extraction misses, adjust your prompt and reprocess for free within 24 hours.
Most teams see results within 5 minutes -not the hours or days it takes to build a custom extraction pipeline on PDF.co.
FAQs
What is the best PDF.co alternative?
Lido is the best PDF.co alternative. It extracts structured data from any document type on the first upload with no templates, no model training, and 99.5-100% accuracy.
How long does it take to get started with Lido?
Most teams run their first extraction within five minutes. Upload a document, describe the fields you need, and Lido returns structured data. No setup, no configuration, no training period.
Can Lido extract data directly from my inbox?
Yes. Lido connects to your email inbox and automatically extracts data from incoming attachments like invoices, purchase orders, and receipts. New documents are processed as they arrive.
What document types does Lido support?
Lido processes any document type: invoices, purchase orders, bank statements, contracts, medical claims, tax forms, shipping documents, and more. It handles PDFs, scanned images, photos, and email attachments in a single workflow.
Does Lido work with scanned documents and handwritten text?
Yes. Lido uses AI vision models to read scanned documents, photos, and block handwritten text. No preprocessing or image cleanup required.
Where does Lido export extracted data?
Lido outputs to Excel, Google Sheets, CSV, JSON, or API. It also integrates directly with ERPs and accounting software, so extracted data flows into your existing systems automatically.
Lido is the best PDF.co alternative for teams that need document data extraction without developer involvement. Where PDF.co requires API calls and coding for every operation, Lido lets business users upload documents and get structured data in a spreadsheet interface. It handles any document format on first upload with no templates or custom code.
Is PDF.co an alternative to Lido?
They solve different problems. PDF.co is a developer API for PDF operations: converting, merging, splitting, and form filling. Lido is a document extraction platform that pulls structured data from any document into spreadsheets and ERPs without code. If your goal is getting data out of invoices, POs, or bank statements, Lido is the direct solution.
Does PDF.co require coding knowledge?
Yes. PDF.co is a REST API. Every operation requires sending HTTP requests with JSON parameters. Non-technical users cannot use it directly. Lido requires no coding -business users upload documents and get structured data back in a spreadsheet interface.
Can Lido handle documents that PDF.co's invoice parser cannot?
Yes. PDF.co's dedicated parsing covers invoices only. Lido extracts structured data from any document type: invoices, purchase orders, remittance advices, bank statements, packing slips, bills of lading, and more. Lido also handles scanned and handwritten documents natively.
How does Lido's pricing compare to PDF.co?
Lido charges per page: $29/month for 100 pages, scaling to $7,000/year for 42,000 pages. PDF.co charges per API credit. For document extraction specifically, Lido's pricing is more predictable because you pay per page, not per API call. Lido also includes workflow features that would require additional tools on PDF.co.
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