Carbone

Carbone merges JSON data into document templates to generate files such as PDF, DOCX, XLSX, and PPTX. Templates can use formats including DOCX, ODT, ODS, XLSX, XML, Markdown, and HTML. Its conversion API handles more than 100 formats and supports LibreOffice, OnlyOffice, and Chromium. Carbone provides API access and bulk generation, with deployment options including Cloud, On-Premise, Private Cloud, and AWS. The pricing page lists Cloud Free and On-Premise Free options, as well as a free 30-day trial for self-hosted On-Premise use. Cloud Essential is $29.00 per month. Generated documents count for each 1 MB of injected JSON and images, and documents beyond a plan allowance are invoiced separately. Carbone says Cloud keeps templates for reuse but does not retain submitted JSON data or generated documents beyond rendering and delivery needs. For on-premise deployments, it says it cannot access customers’ templates, data, or generated documents. An MCP server and open-source Carbone Skill support connections with AI assistants and template generation.

Carbone combines template-based document generation with conversion, API access, and several deployment choices. Review each plan’s document allowance and billing rules before selecting a service tier.

Carbone suits teams that need to produce documents from JSON data, convert files, or generate documents in bulk. Its cloud and self-hosted deployment options serve organizations with different hosting requirements.

Overview

Carbone suits teams that need an application to produce documents from structured data, especially when templates, bulk output or private deployment matter. Its broad template and conversion support is a strength; usage-based document counting and several distinct plan types make it important to match the billing model to expected volume.

Key features

Template-driven generation and conversion

Carbone merges JSON into templates to generate files such as PDF, DOCX, XLSX and PPTX. Templates can use DOCX, ODT, ODS, XLSX, XML, Markdown and HTML, while listed input sources also include PDF, PPTX, ODP, CSV, TXT, SVG, ODG and IDML. That range gives development teams room to work with existing office and web-oriented materials, rather than limiting them to one template format.

Bulk generation, bulk PDF generation, data merging, API access and fillable form creation are also supported. The conversion API handles more than 100 formats and supports LibreOffice, OnlyOffice and Chromium. That makes Carbone more than a template-filling option for workflows that also need file conversion; teams seeking only a simple, standalone PDF creator may find its broader API and deployment choices unnecessary.

AI connections, integrations and deployment

An MCP server and open-source Carbone Skill connect AI assistants with document generation and template creation. The integration directory includes ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, Airtable, Bubble, Glide, Make, n8n, Zapier, Odoo and Salesforce. These connections broaden the possible workflow paths, though the core product remains document generation rather than a general-purpose automation platform.

Deployment options include Cloud, On-Premise, Private Cloud and AWS. Carbone says Cloud retains templates for reuse but does not store or log submitted JSON or generated documents beyond what is needed to render and deliver them. For on-premise deployments, it says it cannot access customers’ templates, data or generated documents. Its cloud infrastructure is hosted in France by OVHcloud, and the company conducts annual security audits; it is working toward SOC 2 compliance, expected before the end of 2026.

Pricing

Carbone is freemium, with free Cloud and self-hosted options, a free trial, monthly Cloud subscriptions, annual On-Premise licenses and usage-based AWS billing. The right choice depends not only on the headline price but also on the document allowance and how usage is counted: each 1 MB of injected JSON and images counts as one generated document, and documents beyond a plan allowance are invoiced separately.

• Cloud Free — free: A no-cost way to start with the Cloud service. It is the natural first step for evaluating a small workflow, but the free plan has an allowance and included templates, so it is not a substitute for checking expected volume.
• On-Premise Free — free: The Free Community Edition is self-hosted, making it the no-cost option for teams that want to run Carbone themselves. On-Premise use includes a free 30-day trial.
• Amazon Web Services — $0.15, paid once: Usage-based monthly pricing charges $0.15 each for the first 100 documents, $0.08 each for documents 101–1000, $0.03 each for 1001–10000 and $0.008 each over 10001. This stepped model suits variable AWS use better than a fixed monthly subscription, but costs rise with document volume.
• Cloud Essential — $29 a month: The annual-billing rate is 26 per month, billed annually. Document counting is based on each 1 MB of injected data, and excess documents are invoiced separately. Essential includes chat support from 9 AM to 6 PM UTC+2, with asynchronous email responses outside those hours. It fits teams needing a paid Cloud tier and that support window, provided they account for overages.
• Cloud Essential Plus — $95 a month: The annual-billing rate is 85 per month, billed annually. It is a higher-priced step in the Cloud comparison, but the stated plan details do not give a specific feature to weigh against Essential.
• Cloud Advanced — $159 a month: The annual-billing rate is 149 per month, billed annually. It counts documents per 1 MB of injected data, invoices excess documents separately and includes 10 hours per year of expert support. That makes it the clearest fit for teams that expect to use expert assistance, though usage over the allowance can add cost.
• Cloud Advanced Plus — $295 a month: The annual-billing rate is 265 per month, billed annually. It is a higher Cloud tier for buyers comparing plan levels, but the stated details do not identify a particular added benefit.
• Cloud Advanced Ultra — $595 a month: The annual-billing rate is 529 per month, billed annually. Its place at the top of the listed Cloud tiers makes it a substantial commitment; the stated plan details do not spell out a specific distinguishing feature.
• On-Premise Fit — $1,500 a year: This Enterprise license counts documents per 1 MB of injected data. It suits organizations that need an annual self-hosted license, with usage counting still relevant to budgeting.
• On-Premise Unlimited — $2,940 a year: Starting from 2940 per year, this Enterprise lifetime license shows unlimited documents. It is the clearest choice for self-hosted buyers prioritizing a predictable document allowance, at a higher annual starting price.

Platforms

Carbone lists API, Linux, macOS, web and Windows platforms, as well as self-hosting. That combination suits development teams deploying document generation within their own systems or choosing a hosted service; it is less directly aimed at people looking for a conventional mobile app.

Who it's for

Carbone is best suited to teams embedding document creation in software or automations, particularly when they need repeatable output from JSON, bulk generation, conversion or control over deployment. The company says its customers span finance, healthcare, insurance, legal, public sector, retail, energy, software and telecom. Organizations with sensitive workflows may value its on-premise privacy position, while Cloud buyers should account for its data-handling approach and the usage-based document allowance. It is a weaker fit for individual users who only need occasional manual document editing.

Pros and cons

• Pros: A wide set of template and input formats, more than 100 conversion formats, bulk generation and API access make it adaptable to software-driven document workflows.
• Pros: Cloud, On-Premise, Private Cloud and AWS options let organizations choose between managed service, self-hosting and usage-based deployment.
• Pros: The Free Community Edition and Cloud Free plan offer ways to start without subscription charges, and On-Premise use has a 30-day free trial.
• Cons: Document allowances use injected JSON and image size as the counting basis, while overages are invoiced separately on specified Cloud plans; teams need to forecast payload size as well as file count.
• Cons: The many Cloud tiers have limited distinguishing detail in the plan descriptions, making it harder to judge which step up is worthwhile.
• Cons: SOC 2 compliance is still in progress, so organizations requiring completed SOC 2 status should look elsewhere for now.

Alternatives

Consider S-Docs if Salesforce-oriented document generation is your priority: its free Salesforce plan includes unlimited templates, up to 150 documents and 50 e-signatures, with no user-count restriction.

Text Control ReportingCloud is an alternative for buyers seeking a paid service with a stated Basic plan at $39 a month, 10 templates, 300 documents monthly, Adobe PDF and MS Word formats, and an online template editor.

APITemplate.io is worth comparing for a smaller, explicitly capped free tier: it offers 50 PDFs or images per month and three templates, while Carbone offers broader template and conversion formats.

BetterMerge is an alternative to consider for email campaigns and tracking.

CraftMyPDF offers a free tier with 50 PDFs or images per month, three templates, and REST API, Zapier, Make.com and Bubble.io connections; it may suit buyers seeking a defined small PDF allowance.

G Merge Plus is another alternative to consider.

Mailmeteor is a better fit for email campaigns: its free Hobby plan includes 500 emails per month, templates, tracking, scheduling and attachments, with Gmail, Sheets and Excel support.

PDF4me Merge & Split is an alternative to consider for PDF merging and splitting.

For broader comparisons, see Document Generation Software, Mail Merge Software, Document Template Management Software and PDF Creation Software.

Verdict

Choose Carbone when your team needs API-driven document generation with broad template and conversion support, plus the option to keep processing self-hosted. Its main trade-off is a pricing structure that demands close attention to payload-based document counting and plan allowances. For a workflow centered on structured data and production-scale documents, it is a strong fit; for simple manual document work or a buyer who needs a completed SOC 2 status, another tool is the better choice.