Chat with PDFs
Upload a PDF and ask questions, get summaries, and find information through a chat interface designed for document Q&A.
PDF.ai
PDF.ai is a document AI product for chatting with PDFs and processing them through an API. It combines PDF Q&A with parsing, field extraction, and splitting for both web-app users and developers.
Overview
PDF.ai is a document AI product for chatting with PDFs and for processing them through an API. Its core workflow combines conversational Q&A with document parsing, field extraction, and PDF splitting so users can either review files interactively or build automated document workflows.
The site positions the product for both general users and developers. The web app lets people upload a document and start chatting, while the API Hub exposes endpoints for parsing, extracting, and splitting PDFs into structured outputs that can be used in applications and workflows.
Features
Parse documents
Parse documents into structured JSON with advanced OCR and layout detection, including headings, paragraphs, tables, figures, and page-level content.
Extract fields
Extract specific fields such as names, dates, amounts, invoices, and other custom data points using AI prompts.
Split documents
Split PDFs into sections, page ranges, or AI-defined chunks so documents can be separated automatically for downstream workflows.
Developer API
Use the API Hub endpoints and code examples to integrate PDF parsing, extraction, and chat into applications without needing an SDK.
Multiple ways to use the product
Start with the browser app, a Chrome extension, or API workflows depending on whether the task is interactive review or automation.
Use cases
Interactive PDF Q&A
Ask questions about a PDF, get summaries, and find specific information without manually reading every page.
Document parsing pipelines
Convert documents into structured JSON with headings, paragraphs, tables, figures, and images for automation or storage.
Data extraction from forms and reports
Pull fields such as invoice numbers, dates, amounts, or other custom values from PDFs for business workflows.
Document segmentation
Split long documents into pages, ranges, or AI-identified sections for organization and downstream processing.
Reading and review workflows
Use the product for books, scientific papers, financial reports, manuals, legal documents, or training material where users need faster review and discussion.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Combines chat, parsing, extraction, and splitting in one product.
- Provides structured outputs such as JSON, markdown, and content elements for downstream use.
- Offers a public API with code examples and documented endpoints.
- Includes a free plan and a trial path for getting started without immediate purchase.
- Supports both web-app use and developer workflows.
Cons
- The pricing page says the Ultimate plan API is limited to non-commercial use, so commercial use appears to require a separate API add-on or custom plan.
- The available evidence does not fully specify every integration, export format, or source system supported by the product.
FAQ
How does PDF.ai work?
PDF.ai can be used directly in the web app to upload a document and start chatting with it. The API docs also show request examples for parsing a PDF from a URL and then sending a chat request against the resulting document ID.
Is there a free plan or trial?
The site shows a free plan with 200 credits per month, and the pricing page also lists paid plans and a 7-day free trial for the web app. API usage and commercial API add-ons are priced separately.
What can the API do?
The API Hub shows parse, extract, and split endpoints. Parse returns structured JSON with content elements such as headings, paragraphs, tables, figures, and images; extract is used for custom fields; split is used to divide PDFs by pages, ranges, or AI-defined sections.
Are there usage limits?
The pricing page says the web app has no limits, while the Ultimate plan API has usage limits and is for non-commercial purposes. It also notes that some API add-on plans have additional monthly charges based on credits used.
What kinds of documents does PDF.ai support?
The use-cases page highlights books, scientific papers, financial reports, product manuals, legal documents, and employee training documents as examples of documents you can chat with.
Quick Facts
- Category
- AI Chat / Developer Tool
- Primary use
- Chat with PDFs and process documents with an API
- Source domain
- pdf.ai
- Key API endpoints
- Parse, Extract, Split, Ask
- Access options
- Web app, API Hub, Chrome extension
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