Compare / Mailparser
Mailparser extracts data from emails with parsing rules you build for each inbox. PdfParse is built for the PDF attachments: it reads scans with OCR, extracts the fields you describe in plain words, and routes each document to the right table.
20 free pages. No credit card required.
Choose PdfParse when
Mailparser may fit when
The short version
Mailparser extracts with rules built from positions, regular expressions, and table filters. Its pricing FAQ says it doesn't support images or scanned documents and points to Docparser instead. PdfParse reads scanned pages with OCR and extracts fields from plain-language descriptions.
Mailparser recommends an inbox per email layout, each with its own rules. PdfParse inboxes classify what arrives, split packets, and route each document to the table that fits, so one address can take invoices, purchase orders, and statements.
Mailparser's own routing fans emails out to inboxes before parsing; branching on parsed data runs through Paths by Zapier. PdfParse routes documents to tables in the app with plain-language rules and a confidence threshold, and per-table Zapier triggers handle what happens next.
Mailparser has no confidence scores or review queue, edits need a paid add-on and aren't logged, and data is kept for up to 60 days by default (120 on Enterprise). PdfParse holds uncertain documents for review and keeps extracted rows in your tables until you delete them.
Feature by feature
| Capability | PdfParse | Mailparser |
|---|---|---|
| Extraction | ||
| Setting up a new layout | IncludedDescribe each field in plain words. The same table works across vendors and layouts with no templates or zones. | PartialParsing rules per inbox, built from positions, regex, and filters. A setup service is $99 per layout. |
| Scanned documents | IncludedOCR reads scanned pages before extraction, so image-only PDFs work too. | Not includedNo OCR. Image-only and scanned PDFs aren't supported. |
| Line items | IncludedRepeating details like line items become a linked child table, keyed to their parent document. | PartialTable cells from attachments and HTML tables, with row filters; sent one row per webhook request. |
| Email body parsing | Not includedInboxes process PDF attachments; email body text isn't extracted. | IncludedBuilt for it: plain-text and HTML email bodies, plus attachments. |
| Workflow | ||
| Email intake | IncludedSeveral inboxes per project, deny-by-default sender lists, and duplicate attachments skipped. | IncludedRandom @mailparser.io addresses per inbox, with import conditions on subject or content. |
| Splitting and routing | IncludedLogical and page-range splitters cut a packet into documents; plain-language rules route each one to its table. | Not includedNo PDF splitting or document-type routing. Alias routing fans emails out to inboxes by filter. |
| Human review | IncludedRouting below your confidence threshold, and failed extractions, wait in a review queue beside the source PDF. | Not includedNo confidence scores or review queue. Editing values is a paid add-on with no change log. |
| Data out | ||
| Exports and querying | IncludedCSV, JSON, or a SQLite file of every table, plus SQL queries over saved rows in the dashboard. | PartialCSV, XLS, JSON, and XML downloads; Google Sheets, Airtable, and Salesforce. No SQL over saved rows or SQLite download found. |
| Data retention | IncludedExtracted rows stay in your tables until you delete them or close your account. | Partial30 days by default, up to 60 (120 on Enterprise). Not designed for long-term storage. |
| Automation | IncludedZapier triggers for new rows and finished or failed jobs. | IncludedZapier triggers, Make, and Power Automate. Conditional branching through Paths by Zapier. |
| API and webhooks | IncludedREST API, TypeScript SDK, and signed webhooks on every plan. | PartialOutgoing webhooks; no public REST API documentation found. |
| MCP for AI agents | IncludedRemote MCP server with OAuth, so AI agents can set up tables and routing, extract documents, and search rows. | Not includedNo official MCP server. |
| Pricing | ||
| Plans | IncludedFree 20 pages, then $29.99–$129.99/month by page volume. Every feature on every plan. | Partial$29.95–$299.95/month for 250–10,000 credits. Each email and each parsed attachment uses a credit. Several features are add-ons. |
Mailparser details come from its public website and documentation, reviewed October 2026. Plans and features change; check the sources below for the latest. Spot something out of date? Tell us.
Pricing
Mailparser charges a credit for each email and another for each attachment its rules parse, whatever the page count. That suits short emails; for PDFs it buys parsing rules without OCR, review, or routing. You're charged for the pages of each completed extraction. Inboxes, splitting, routing, and review aren't metered separately.
PdfParse
Every plan includes inboxes, splitting, routing, review, exports, API and MCP.
Mailparser
Monthly billing; annual is about 15–17% less. Duplicate detection, webhook retries, and value editing are paid add-ons. 30-day trial with 30 credits.
Switching from Mailparser
You don't have to migrate on faith. Use your free pages on the documents Mailparser already handles and compare the rows.
For each data point your Mailparser rules pull from attachments, add a column and describe it in a sentence.
Point the forwarding rules for several layout-specific inboxes at one PdfParse inbox, and let routing rules sort documents by type.
Swap the Mailparser trigger in your Zap for PdfParse's New Extracted Row trigger, one per table, instead of branching with Paths.
Yes, when the data you need is in PDF attachments. PdfParse adds OCR for scans, AI extraction without per-layout rules, document-type routing, and a review queue. If you mainly parse email bodies, Mailparser is built for that.
Usually. Instead of parsing everything in one inbox and branching with Paths, PdfParse routes each document to its own table with plain-language rules. Each table then has its own Zapier trigger for new rows, so every document type gets its own Zap.
Yes. PdfParse runs OCR on scanned and image-only pages before extracting fields. Mailparser's pricing FAQ says it doesn't support scanned documents.
No. PdfParse inboxes process PDF attachments. If the data you need is in the email text itself, an email parser fits better.
More comparisons
Sources · reviewed October 2026
Mailparser is a trademark of its respective owner. PdfParse is not affiliated with or endorsed by Mailparser.
Start with 20 free pages and compare the rows yourself.