Last updated 08-03-2026
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PDF.ai
PDF.ai is a PDF chat and document processing platform with both a web app for asking questions about uploaded files and a developer API for parsing, extracting, and splitting documents. Upload a PDF, chat with its contents, or send files to REST endpoints that return structured JSON with headings, tables, and figures.
Generic PDF readers show pages; PDF.ai targets two different jobs. The chat side handles Q&A over contracts and research papers, while the API side turns scanned or complex layouts into machine-readable data for automation pipelines. Parse responses land in under 5 seconds for most documents, and files are deleted after processing.
PDF.ai fits students reviewing coursework, analysts pulling fields from invoices, and developers building document workflows without training their own OCR models. The free Hobby plan allows 1 upload and 100 questions per month, while API users get 200 free credits monthly with no card required.
Parse API returns structured JSON with headings, paragraphs, tables, and figures from any PDF
Extract API pulls custom fields like names, dates, and amounts using prompt-based extraction
Hobby chat plan is free with 1 PDF upload and 100 questions per month
API free tier includes 200 credits per month with no credit card required
Split API separates PDFs into custom sections identified automatically
Pro API plan at $99 per month includes 10,000 credits at $0.010 per credit
Combines consumer PDF chat and developer APIs in one platform.
Free tiers on both chat and API sides require no credit card.
Parse API returns structured JSON suitable for automation pipelines.
Hobby plan limits uploads to 1 PDF and 100 questions per month.
Ultimate API features like chatbot widgets require additional paid add-ons.
Commercial API usage needs a separate add-on beyond the web app plans.
Is PDF.ai free?
Yes. PDF.ai offers a free Hobby chat plan with 1 PDF upload and 100 questions per month. The API also includes 200 free credits per month with no credit card required.
What does the PDF.ai Parse API do?
PDF.ai Parse API uses OCR and layout detection to convert PDFs into structured JSON with headings, paragraphs, tables, and figures. Most documents return results in under 5 seconds.
How much does PDF.ai Pro cost?
PDF.ai Pro chat plan costs $10 per month when billed yearly with 100 PDF uploads and 1,000 questions per month. The API Pro plan costs $99 per month with 10,000 credits.
Can I chat with multiple PDFs on PDF.ai?
Yes. PDF.ai Ultimate and Enterprise chat plans support chatting with all uploaded PDFs together. The Hobby and Pro plans focus on individual document chat.
Does PDF.ai delete uploaded files?
Yes. PDF.ai states that files are deleted after processing on the API side. The platform advertises enterprise-grade security for document handling.
What OCR limits does PDF.ai have?
PDF.ai OCR page limits vary by plan: 2 pages per file on Hobby, 10 on Pro, 50 on Ultimate, and 100 on Enterprise. Max file sizes range from 10MB to 100MB.