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Updated: November 20, 2025

8 min read

4 Most Interesting CraftMyPDF Alternatives

CraftMyPDF is popular among teams that need to create PDF documents. Still, many realize this tool is not very versatile and look for CraftMyPDF alternatives.

CraftMyPDF is a web-based drag-and-drop editor that lets users design PDF templates. For pure PDF creation, it’s a strong tool. It connects to automation platforms and saves countless hours on manual layout work. 

However, once you need to issue credentials, track recipients or manage certificate workflows, a dedicated platform like Certifier covers much more of the lifecycle. That’s why today we cover the top CraftMyPDF alternatives.

TL;DR

CraftMyPDF helps you design PDF templates in a browser and use an API to generate pixel-perfect PDF documents. Yet, it has no built-in certificate management or tracking.

Alternatives like Certifier, Adobe Acrobat, iLovePDF and Canva cover certificate issuing, collaboration, everyday PDF editor tasks and automation.

These tools help users save time and unlock the full potential of both design templates and PDF generation.

CraftMyPDF overview

CraftMyPDF is a platform that focuses on PDF creation from data, using its web-based drag-and-drop template editor and a cloud PDF generation API.

CraftMyPDF page showing a PDF template editor with data-driven fields; you can also use PDF Generation API–CraftMyPDF enables that.

The tool lets you design PDF templates with labels, images, charts and QR codes, then generate PDF documents from JSON. The editor lets you design layouts for invoices, finance documents or internal records without code required for basic templates.

Top CraftMyPDF features

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An advanced drag-and-drop editor

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Support for powerful expressions and formatting for numbers, currency and dates

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User-defined functions in JavaScript for complex code and logic

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PDF generation API and image generation API that output PDF documents and images

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Regional endpoints where data and the generated PDF are stored in the same region

Pros

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Template editor works in any browser with no desktop software

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Easy integration with ZAPIer, Make, Bubble, Coda and custom apps

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CraftMyPDF's image generation API covers charts, barcodes and QR codes

Cons

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Focuses on technical PDF generation—you can’t create personalized certificates automatically, issue them or manage

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No recipient portal, engagement analytics or credential records

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No AI agent to help non-technical users prepare templates or workflows

Why look for CraftMyPDF alternatives?

Many organizations start with CraftMyPDF because the advanced editor lets them generate pixel-perfect PDFs and map JSON quickly. Over time, they discover that PDF generation alone doesn’t cover all their needs.

What if you need to issue PDF certificates, send them by email, and later track how users share them? Then you search for another tool. Fortunately, we did the hard work for you. Scroll down and check out our little overview of the top CraftMyPDF alternatives.

Top CraftMyPDF alternatives

We described as many as 4 CraftMyPDF alternatives. Below you will find how each tool can fit your workflow.

Let's start with the most interesting opinion: Certifier.

01 Certifier—the best CraftMyPDF alternative

Certifier is a digital credentialing platform that generates printable PDF certificates and virtual badges at scale. 

Certifier homepage presenting certificate capabilities—the best CraftMyPDF alternative that lets you create PDF documents easily.

You can design a document from scratch in a drag-and-drop editor or use professional templates, which you can fill out. Then, just download the document in different formats, including PDF. 

Want to save the document, print it or share it on LinkedIn? That’s possible, too! Moreover, feel free to use QR code certificates to verify your credentials.

Tip: Check out how to create a LinkedIn certification badge in simple steps.

Why clients love Certifier

There are multiple reasons for this.

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You can track when users open, print or share their PDF certificates, which gives a clear picture of impact.

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Marketing teams like the branding control and fonts support, while operations teams enjoy that automation and workflows run without custom code.

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Moreover, the setup is simple—you can use the tool to its full potential, even if you aren’t a specialist.

Benefits

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Every PDF keeps its data in one place, so teams can automate future reissues without repeating the setup

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Supports expiry updates and corrections without manual post edits

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Lets you import a spreadsheet from Google Sheets and map attributes to create hundreds of PDF certificates at once

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Stores all credentials in a digital wallet where recipients can download their PDF whenever they need it

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Allows you to add QR codes and unique URL links to every document

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You can choose from many integrations and make certification programs even smoother

Drawbacks

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It is not a general PDF editor for complex legal documents or deeply technical reports

Pricing

Certifier focuses on affordable pricing. You can use it for free or choose a paid plan.

Turn routine certificate creation into an automated workflow that keeps every document secure and trackable.

Issue first certificate in 10 minTry our digital credentials platform to generate your first batch of certificates.

02 Adobe Acrobat

Adobe Acrobat is a classic PDF editor for users who need to edit, convert and sign PDF documents. It comes from the creators of the PDF format, so it covers almost every default task around PDF.

Adobe Acrobat interface—a CraftMyPDF alternative for editing and signing PDF documents in a PDF editor.

With Acrobat, you can create a PDF from Word, Excel or PowerPoint, add comments, protect content, compare versions and collect signatures.

Benefits

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Integrated e-signatures for contracts and approval workflows

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Integrates with Microsoft 365, Dropbox and other apps

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Runs on desktop, in a browser and on mobile

Drawbacks

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It’s not a professional certificate management system

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Heavier software than web tools and sometimes slower to set up for teams

Pricing

Acrobat Reader is free. Subscription plans available from €15,98 monthly for the Acrobat Standard Plan.

03 iLovePDF

iLovePDF is a web-based PDF tool that gathers many small utilities in one place. It focuses on everyday PDF generation, conversion and organization rather than on complex template editor setups.

iLovePDF homepage with tiles for merge, split, compress and edit PDF tools—it also supports embedding.

From one dashboard, users can merge PDFs, split PDFs, compress files, convert between PDF and Office formats, edit text and images, sign, watermark, unlock and protect documents. There is also a workflow feature that lets you automate a sequence of tasks.

Benefits

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Wide list of tools for quick PDF creation and cleanup

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Desktop and mobile apps for offline work

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Good for users who need to fix or convert PDF without touching code

Drawbacks

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No reusable templates for data-driven PDF creation

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No support for tracking and analytics

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Lacks features for certificate management

Pricing

You can start for free and upgrade later for €5 monthly.

Don't know how to design certificates? Learn 8 principles to keep your documents always professional.

04 Canva

Canva is a graphic design platform that doubles as a free online PDF maker. It is ideal for teams that want visually rich reports and presentations with elegant layouts.

Canva drag and drop editor–another CraftMyPDF alternative but simpler to use.

You can start from professionally designed templates, adjust fonts and images, then download the result as a PDF. Canva’s AI tools, such as Magic Write and translation features, help you create text and media faster and give your PDF documents a polished look without a steep learning curve.

Benefits

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Free plan with many templates, images and fonts

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An easy-to-use editor lets you design templates for reports and presentations

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Supports the import of existing PDF so you can edit content

Drawbacks

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No professional PDF management platform

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Not built for credential workflows or recipient records

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Lacks bulk generation of new PDFs with dynamic data

Pricing

You can start for free. Next, paid plans start from $12.99 monthly.

Who wins the battle: Canva vs Certifier? Check out our article and see how these tools compare to each other.

Should you still use CraftMyPDF

CraftMyPDF still makes sense in some situations. If your team wants a browser-based PDF template editor with a strong PDF generation API, and you have developers comfortable with JSON and code, it can be a solid tool.

However, if you need to automate certificates, track users or manage long-term records for courses or programs, Certifier is the better fit. For everyday editing and conversion tasks, Adobe Acrobat, iLovePDF or Canva can sit next to Certifier in your workflow.

Choose the best alternative for CraftMyPDF today

CraftMyPDF shines in technical workflows where a drag-and-drop editor lets you design PDF templates and a PDF generation API connects to data sources. It helps generate PDF documents and fits automation setups where API integration matters more than audience engagement.

Once PDF documents become credentials, you need more than a template editor. You need Certifier.

Our tool covers creation, issuing, analytics and reissues in one tool, so teams can automate, save time and keep every document and URL under control. 

Try out Certifier and manage PDFs with confidence!

FAQ on CraftMyPDF alternatives

As more teams adopt PDF generation tools, they may ask how CraftMyPDF compares to other platforms. These answers will help you match a tool to your real workflow.

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Daria Andrieieva avatar
Daria Andrieieva

Content Specialist

Daria creates practical guides and templates that help training providers, educators, and event organizers solve digital credentialing challenges.