PDF Comments sdk
View and add comments to PDFs
Use our PDF comments SDK to easily start and participate in conversations with Nutrient’s proprietary real-time comment collaboration, or choose PDF-native comments and replies for improved asynchronous collaboration.
How it works
Enhancing communication in document-centric collaboration
Empower your users to engage in document discussions with a sleek, user-friendly interface for viewing and adding comments.
step 1
Create a username to add, edit, and delete comments. Setting the username to Admin allows you to edit and delete all comments.
Step 2
Add new comments from the main toolbar or using markup annotations. Manage the list of users who can be mentioned in comments.
step 3
Instantly sync comments in server-backed applications using Instant, or save them as annotations in standalone web apps.
KEY FEATURES
Real-time and standard comments and replies
Our Web PDF comments SDK provides support tailored for both real-time editing for server-backed applications and conventional annotation-based comments and replies for standalone apps.
Excellent compatibility
Nutrient comments are stored as PDF replies on export. This means any PDF reader that supports annotation replies will also be able to show comments made with Nutrient.
Nutrient comments are stored as PDF replies on export. This means any PDF reader that supports annotation replies will also be able to show comments made with Nutrient.
Related components
Benefits
Transform collaboration with real-time discussions
Enable seamless, live conversations directly within your app. Real-time syncing ensures every comment and reply stays perfectly in step.
Streamline feedback with intuitive placement
Let users comment anywhere — on text, drawings, or images — with a clean, thread-style UI that makes navigating discussions effortless.
Enhance connectivity with mentions and notifications
Keep teams aligned by tagging collaborators and sending instant notifications. Every message feels personal, and every reply feels immediate.
Frequently asked questions
What features does Nutrient’s PDF comments and replies SDK offer?
The SDK provides capabilities for adding, viewing, and replying to comments within PDF documents. Users can place comments freely on a page or associate them with specific text highlights. The interface supports threaded conversations, facilitating organized discussions.
How are comments stored, and are they compatible with other PDF readers?
Comments are stored as PDF replies upon export, ensuring compatibility with any PDF reader that supports annotation replies. This means comments made with Nutrient’s SDK will be visible and interactive in other compliant PDF viewers.
Does the SDK support real-time collaboration on comments?
Yes. When integrated with Nutrient Instant, the SDK allows real-time synchronization of comments across users. This enables immediate visibility of comments and replies, enhancing collaborative workflows.
Can users mention specific individuals in comments and receive notifications?
The SDK supports user mentions within comments, allowing participants to tag specific individuals. Additionally, notifications can be configured to alert users when they’re mentioned, ensuring prompt attention to relevant discussions.
Is the user interface customizable to fit specific application requirements?
Yes. The SDK offers a customizable user interface, enabling developers to tailor the appearance and behavior of comment tools to align with their application’s design and user experience standards.
What platforms and frameworks are compatible with Nutrient’s PDF comments and replies SDK?
The SDK is designed for cross-platform compatibility, supporting integration into web applications using JavaScript frameworks, as well as mobile platforms such as iOS and Android. It also extends support to React Native, ensuring a consistent commenting experience across devices.
How does the SDK handle offline usage and data synchronization?
For standalone web applications, comments can be saved as annotations within a PDF, allowing offline access and later synchronization when reconnected. In server-backed applications, real-time synchronization ensures all users have the most up-to-date comments instantly.
Knowledge center
PDF comments SDK
What is a PDF comments SDK?
A PDF comments SDK allows developers to embed commenting and conversation features into PDF documents within their applications. Nutrient’s PDF comments SDK supports both real-time and standard threaded comments, enabling users to leave feedback, reply to others, and tag collaborators — all directly in the document interface.
- Add comments anywhere on a page or link them to highlighted text.
- Support for real-time collaboration and standard annotation-based replies.
- Familiar thread-style UI for seamless conversations.
- Mentions and notifications keep teams engaged and aligned.
- Exportable as PDF-native replies — compatible with most PDF readers.
How to choose the right PDF comments SDK?
When evaluating a PDF comments SDK, consider how well it supports collaboration, integrates with your app, and enhances the user experience. Key considerations include:
- Real-time vs. static comments — Does it offer both live sync and annotation-based comments?
- Ease of use — Is the interface intuitive and easy for non-technical users?
- Mentioning and notifications — Can users tag others and stay updated?
- Cross-platform support — Is it compatible with web, mobile, and desktop environments?
- Export compatibility — Will comments show up in other PDF readers?
What are the best solutions to solve my PDF commenting needs?
To build seamless document collaboration, you need tools that enable both asynchronous feedback and live conversations.
- Nutrient SDK — Combines real-time commenting, tagging, and a modern UI with PDF-native export compatibility.
- Apryse (PDFTron) SDK — Offers annotations with limited real-time discussion support.
- Adobe Acrobat SDK — Enables basic comments but lacks collaborative features.
- Foxit SDK — Supports threaded replies but doesn’t focus on real-time use cases.
What are the benefits of using Nutrient’s PDF comments SDK?
Nutrient’s SDK helps teams collaborate faster and more efficiently inside your application by turning PDFs into conversation hubs.
- Real-time comment sync — Enable live discussions across devices and users.
- Threaded, contextual feedback — Let users add and reply to comments directly on the page.
- Mentions and notifications — Tag teammates and notify them instantly.
- Export-friendly format — Comments are stored as PDF replies, visible in most external PDF tools.
- Clean, customizable UI — Offers a modern, familiar interface that users love.
How does Nutrient’s SDK compare to other PDF commenting solutions?
Nutrient stands out for its dual support of real-time and standard commenting, its export compatibility, and its developer-friendly integration.
- More collaboration features — Real-time sync, mentions, and threaded discussions.
- Better export compatibility — Comments remain readable across PDF platforms.
- Faster to implement — Clear documentation and customizable APIs.
- More UI control — Tailor the look and feel to match your product.
- Built for teams — Ideal for review-heavy workflows like legal, construction, finance, or education.