borb
borb is a library for reading, creating and manipulating PDF files in python.
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes, if you need straightforward PDF generation or manipulation in pure Python and can accept the AGPL licensing terms (or purchase a commercial license for proprietary use). The library is actively maintained, has no external dependencies, and covers common PDF workflows. Not suitable if your project is closed-source or commercial without a paid license.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Requires Python 3.6 or later; AGPL license restrictions apply to commercial or closed-source use.
- Installation is straightforward with no runtime dependencies.
- The project is actively maintained with a recent release and established community presence (3569 stars).
License · maintenance · safety
AGPL-3.0-or-later (agpl) — borb is dual-licensed under AGPL-3.0-or-later and a commercial license. AGPL requires source disclosure for networked use; commercial licensing is required for closed-source products, paid PDF services, or proprietary distribution.
last release 2026-08-03 (11 days) · last repo commit 2026-08-03 · 3,569 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 504,690 downloads/mo, #6,296 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
from borb.pdf import Document, Page, PageLayout, SingleColumnLayout, Paragraph, PDF
d = Document()
p = Page()
d.append_page(p)
l = SingleColumnLayout(p)
l.append_layout_element(Paragraph('Hello World!'))
PDF.write(what=d, where_to="output.pdf")- Whether the AGPL license applies to your use case (cloud services, closed-source projects, or proprietary distribution require commercial licensing)
- Performance characteristics and file size limits for large or complex PDF operations
- Completeness of PDF specification coverage compared to other libraries
What it is and what it does
borb is a pure Python library for creating and manipulating PDF documents. It models PDFs using nested lists, dictionaries, and primitives—a JSON-like structure—making it accessible for developers familiar with Python data structures. The library handles reading existing PDFs, writing new ones, and modifying content including text, images, tables, annotations, and page layouts.
The package is maintained as a solo project and prioritizes straightforward, practical PDF workflows. It supports metadata management, text and image extraction, annotation addition, and page layout control through a PageLayout system. With no external runtime dependencies, installation is low-friction, and the library supports Python 3.6 through 3.12.
Use it for
- Generate PDF reports or invoices programmatically with text, images, and tables
- Extract text and metadata from existing PDF files for processing or analysis
- Add annotations, notes, or links to PDF documents
- Create templated PDF documents with dynamic content insertion
- Manipulate page layouts and structure in existing PDFs
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes, if you need straightforward PDF generation or manipulation in pure Python and can accept the AGPL licensing terms (or purchase a commercial license for proprietary use).
The library is actively maintained, has no external dependencies, and covers common PDF workflows. Not suitable if your project is closed-source or commercial without a paid license.
Install
borb on PyPI
Before you install
Installation is straightforward with no runtime dependencies. The project is actively maintained with a recent release and established community presence (3569 stars).
Requires Python 3.6 or later; AGPL license restrictions apply to commercial or closed-source use.
License in practice
borb is dual-licensed under AGPL-3.0-or-later and a commercial license. AGPL requires source disclosure for networked use; commercial licensing is required for closed-source products, paid PDF services, or proprietary distribution.
Quickstart
from borb.pdf import Document, Page, PageLayout, SingleColumnLayout, Paragraph, PDF
d = Document()
p = Page()
d.append_page(p)
l = SingleColumnLayout(p)
l.append_layout_element(Paragraph('Hello World!'))
PDF.write(what=d, where_to="output.pdf")Verify before relying
- Whether the AGPL license applies to your use case (cloud services, closed-source projects, or proprietary distribution require commercial licensing)
- Performance characteristics and file size limits for large or complex PDF operations
- Completeness of PDF specification coverage compared to other libraries
Package facts
| License | AGPL-3.0-or-later agpl |
| Python support | Supports the current Python release >=3.6 |
| Install friction | Low. Pure-Python wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | None |
| Maintenance | Actively maintained 11 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 504,690 / month, #6,296 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Development Status :: 6 - MatureIntended Audience :: DevelopersLicense :: OSI Approved :: GNU Affero General Public License v3 or later (AGPLv3+)Programming Language :: Python :: 3Programming Language :: Python :: 3.10Programming Language :: Python :: 3.11Programming Language :: Python :: 3.12Programming Language :: Python :: 3.6Programming Language :: Python :: 3.7Programming Language :: Python :: 3.8Programming Language :: Python :: 3.9Topic :: Artistic SoftwareTopic :: File FormatsTopic :: MultimediaTopic :: Multimedia :: GraphicsTopic :: Text Processing |
Evidence: borb-3.0.9-py3-none-any.whl
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See also PyPDF3 · EbookLib · spire-doc · PyPDF4 · python-libsbml · paddleocr · psd-tools · BabelDOC · rpaframework-pdf · PyPDFForm