Modern Chromium Engine
Full Flexbox, Grid, CSS Variables, and JavaScript support. What you see in Chrome is what you get in the PDF.
Alternatives
The Modern wkhtmltopdf Alternative
wkhtmltopdf is deprecated and unmaintained. Doppio is a fully managed, Chromium-based API with modern CSS support, auto-scaling, templates, and zero DevOps overhead.
About wkhtmltopdf
Why wkhtmltopdf Is No Longer Viable
wkhtmltopdf was a popular open-source command-line tool for converting HTML to PDF using a patched version of Qt WebKit. It was widely used in server-side applications, particularly in Ruby on Rails and PHP projects.
However, its underlying WebKit engine has not kept pace with modern web standards. Layouts that rely on Flexbox, Grid, or modern JavaScript often break or render incorrectly. With no active maintenance, relying on wkhtmltopdf is a growing security and reliability risk.
Comparison
wkhtmltopdf vs Doppio at a Glance
A head-to-head comparison of capabilities and architecture.
| Feature | wkhtmltopdf | Doppio |
|---|---|---|
| Type of tool | Open-source CLI (deprecated) | Fully managed SaaS API |
| Setup | Install binary, manage dependencies | API key — one HTTP call |
| Rendering engine | Patched Qt WebKit (deprecated) | Latest stable Chromium |
| CSS support | No Flexbox, no Grid, no CSS Variables | ✓ Full CSS3 (Flexbox, Grid, Variables, Animations) |
| JavaScript execution | Limited, often unreliable | ✓ Full JS, SPA support (React, Vue, Angular) |
| Screenshot API | ✗ | ✓ PNG with retina scaling |
| Scalability | Manual — manage your own servers | ✓ Auto-scaling, distributed clusters |
| HTML Templates | ✗ | ✓ Built-in editor with Paged.js |
| S3 upload | Manual implementation | ✓ Presigned URL upload |
| Async rendering & Webhooks | ✗ | ✓ |
| Security & Compliance | Self-managed, no security patches | GDPR, EU-hosted, HDS certified |
| Maintenance | Archived — no updates | ✓ Actively maintained, managed for you |
| Pricing | Free (but server + DevOps costs) | Free tier (400 docs/mo), then from $16/mo |
Feel free to reach out if you believe an error has been made in this comparison.
Migration
How to Migrate from wkhtmltopdf to Doppio
Switching takes minutes, not days. Here's how.
Create a free Doppio account
Sign up at app.doppio.sh in 30 seconds. No credit card required. You get 400 free documents per month immediately.
Replace the wkhtmltopdf call with an HTTP request
Instead of spawning a wkhtmltopdf process, send a POST request to api.doppio.sh/v1/render/pdf/direct with your HTML or URL. The API returns the PDF binary directly.
Remove wkhtmltopdf from your infrastructure
Uninstall wkhtmltopdf, remove its dependencies, and delete the server-side rendering logic. Doppio handles rendering, scaling, and security for you.
Enjoy modern CSS and zero maintenance
Your Flexbox and Grid layouts will render perfectly. No more CSS hacks, no more server maintenance, no more security worries.
Why switch
Why Doppio Is the Best wkhtmltopdf Replacement
A modern, managed API that solves every pain point of wkhtmltopdf.
Zero Infrastructure
No binary to install, no server to maintain. One API call replaces your entire wkhtmltopdf setup.
Actively Maintained
Unlike the archived wkhtmltopdf, Doppio receives continuous updates, security patches, and new features.
Built-in Templates
Design reusable HTML templates in Doppio's editor. Generate invoices, reports, and contracts at scale.
S3 Upload & Webhooks
Upload documents directly to your S3 bucket and get webhook notifications when async renders complete.
GDPR & HDS Certified
EU-hosted, GDPR compliant, HDS certified. Enterprise-grade security that wkhtmltopdf can never provide.
Replace wkhtmltopdf Today
Join thousands of developers who have migrated from wkhtmltopdf to Doppio. Free plan, no credit card, modern rendering out of the box.