Compare the required output format before choosing a PDF API. Mathpix documents a STEM workflow around Mathpix Markdown (MMD); pdfToMarkdown returns a complete Markdown string through a synchronous PDF endpoint.

MMD and Markdown

Mathpix documents recognition of text, equations and tables, with MMD as its primary intermediate format and conversion to plain Markdown. Choose the format your renderer or scientific publishing pipeline accepts. Do not assume MMD means Markdown is unavailable. Mathpix introduction, supported formats, checked 10 September 2026.

What to evaluate

Use representative equations, handwritten annotations, table spans and ordinary prose from your own corpus. Compare transcription, structure and the amount of downstream cleanup. We have no current head-to-head quality benchmark against Mathpix, so this page does not rank either service’s accuracy.

For pdfToMarkdown, simple rectangular tables use escaped GFM; complex tables retain sanitized HTML. Its output is document content, not a guaranteed invoice-field or scientific-data schema. Inspect the dated source PDF and complete output.

Cost and processing

Both service usage and document-processing permissions affect the choice. Check current Mathpix terms and pricing directly before budgeting; pdfToMarkdown’s current account trial is one-time, not a recurring free plan.

Convert a document

Use the tested Python, JavaScript or curl workflow. Choose one input: a public PDF URL, Base64 bytes, or a raw PDF upload. Raw uploads avoid Base64 expansion; all three send the document to an external processor.

The public demo converts page 1 with a watermark, at 3 requests per minute per IP. New accounts receive 20 trial pages once. Further account conversions use paid credits: monthly pages expire, top-ups do not. The API reference owns authentication, limits, replay and retention.