zenfmt
Show HN: Convert Documents to Markdown
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What is zenfmt?
zenfmt is a document converter that transforms documents into Markdown, featuring an engine written in Zig. It operates locally in the browser without file uploads, supports 19 formats, and can be deployed as a lightweight HTTP service with optional secure mode.
zenfmt pricing
Pricing model: Freemium
zenfmt pros
- Extremely fast and memory-efficient (6.9–31× faster than competitors like AnyDoc and Tika Server)
- Supports 19 document formats with local processing in browser or as HTTP service
- Minimal resource footprint—no Java, Python, OCR, or VLM dependencies; single binary distribution
- Secure server mode with user authentication, API keys, audit logging, and admin interface
zenfmt cons
- Limited to document-to-Markdown conversion; less general-purpose than Pandoc
- Benchmark data acknowledged as incomplete; comparisons limited to 14–16 shared files
- Early-stage project (v0.3.5) with ongoing development
Frequently asked questions about zenfmt
Does zenfmt upload my files?
No. The web interface converts documents locally in your browser without uploading.
How many document formats does zenfmt support?
19 formats are supported, with format detection based on file contents rather than filename.
Can zenfmt be deployed as a service?
Yes, via 'zenfmt serve' for a shared HTTP endpoint. Secure mode adds authentication, API keys, and audit logging.
What are the system requirements?
zenfmt is designed to be lightweight with minimal dependencies. It does not bundle Java, Python, OCR, or model assets.