Marker
PDF to markdown — fast, accurate, open-source
📋 Overview
Marker is an open-source tool for converting PDFs to markdown — providing fast, accurate extraction of text, tables, and layout. Unlike Docling (which handles multiple formats), Marker focuses specifically on PDF conversion with a focus on speed and accuracy. It provides a comprehensive solution for modern AI workflows.
✨ Key Features
- •22K+ GitHub stars — fast PDF to markdown
- •Deep learning-based structure detection
- •Table extraction and preservation
- •Parallel processing for speed
- •Apache 2.0 licensed
- •Parallel processing
- •Fast extraction
🎯 The Problem It Solves
PDF to markdown conversion is a common need for RAG pipelines, but existing tools are either slow or inaccurate. Marker provides the best balance of speed and accuracy for PDF conversion.
🔧 How It Works
Marker uses deep learning models to detect PDF structure — identifying text blocks, tables, headers, and figures. It converts each element to markdown with proper formatting.
🚀 Installation & Quick Start
Installation
See websiteQuick Start
- See documentation
✅ Pros
- •Fastest PDF to markdown
- •Table extraction
- •Parallel processing
- •Apache 2.0 licensed
- •Parallel processing
- •Fast extraction
❌ Cons
- •PDF only
- •Requires GPU for best results
- •Complex layouts can confuse
- •PDF only
💬 Practitioner Verdict
“Marker is the best open-source PDF to markdown converter — the speed and accuracy are genuinely differentiated. The trade-off: PDF-only (no Word/Excel), requires GPU for best results, and complex layouts can still confuse it.”
Self-Hosted (Free)
Open source, MIT/Apache licensed. Run it yourself.
⭐ Star & Clone on GitHubFree forever. Your infrastructure, your data.
📊 Specifications
- Language
- Python
- License
- Apache-2.0
- Platform
- Linux, macOS, Windows
- Supported Models
- REST API, CLI
💰 Pricing Reality
100% free Apache 2.0. No paid tier.