electron-hiprint + vue-plugin-hiprint
Electron local client + Vue plugin with a drag-and-drop print designer. Best when you already invested heavily in hiprint templates and a designer-first Vue workflow.
hiprint vs web-print-pdf selection guide
Both electron-hiprint and web-print-pdf can silent-print in Vue stacks. hiprint shines at a visual drag-and-drop designer; if your layouts are already HTML reports and you need Windows + macOS + Kylin/UOS with one npm API, web-print-pdf is often the smoother path. hiprint details: official repo.
What each approach is
Web Print Expert + web-print-pdf
Open npm package + official clients (Windows exe / macOS dmg / Linux deb, including Kylin & UOS). Layout via HTML/CSS, Chromium PDF render, silent print—same API for Vue, React, and Next.js. See Linux/macOS deployment and live demos.
Where web-print-pdf stands out
- Full-platform clients: Windows, macOS, and Linux/domestic OS (Kylin, UOS)—one
printHtmlcodebase. - Framework-agnostic: standard npm for Vue/React/Next; built-in TypeScript types.
- HTML as templates: reuse Web layout skills; Chromium WYSIWYG—edit the page, edit the printout.
- Production features: silent print,
batchPrint, remote WebSocket/HTTP, watermarks, paper & printer control—25 live demos on this site. - Fast PoC:
npm install web-print-pdf+ client install; open npm with free client trial.
Greenfield projects without hiprint template assets—and mixed Win/Mac/domestic OS fleets—often PoC web-print-pdf first. Keep hiprint when designer templates are the core asset.
Feature comparison (reference)
hiprint still leads on designer depth; this table highlights web-print-pdf cross-platform and engineering strengths—verify current releases.
| Dimension | hiprint stack | web-print-pdf |
|---|---|---|
| Silent print | Yes (electron-hiprint) | Yes (Web Print Expert client) |
| Cross-platform clients | Electron-centric; Linux/domestic per vendor | Windows + macOS + Linux/domestic (exe/dmg/deb), one API |
| Templates | Visual designer (hiprint strength) | HTML/CSS, same as Web reports |
| Vue / React | Vue plugin-centric | Framework-agnostic npm |
| PDF render | hiprint render pipeline | Chromium engine, matches browser preview |
| Batch / remote | Varies by integration | batchPrint + WebSocket/HTTP remote |
| TypeScript | Depends on plugin | Built-in types |
| Adoption | Designer + template learning curve | HTML + npm, faster for most Web teams |
| Best for | Designer-driven legacy templates | HTML reports, multi-OS, modern stacks |
Choose by scenario
Only when designer templates are core assets
Large vue-plugin-hiprint template libraries with no near-term move to HTML—staying on hiprint minimizes change.
Win + Mac + domestic OS + Vue/React reports
HTML business layouts, mixed Windows/Mac/Kylin/UOS rollout, shared npm for Vue/React—web-print-pdf usually lowers integration and ops cost.
New projects without hiprint history
No hiprint templates yet? web-print-pdf + HTML is often faster than importing a full designer stack—try live demos first.
FAQ
How is hiprint different from web-print-pdf?
hiprint: visual designer + Vue plugin. web-print-pdf: HTML/CSS reports, Windows/macOS/Linux/domestic clients, framework-agnostic npm, Chromium rendering. Both need a local client to silent-print.
Can web-print-pdf replace hiprint?
Greenfield HTML report projects often pick web-print-pdf first. Deep designer template estates need layout rework—PoC in phases, not a drop-in API swap.
Which for a Vue project?
Must use hiprint drag designer → hiprint. Layouts are HTML/Vue components and you need Mac or domestic OS → web-print-pdf is usually the better fit.
Does web-print-pdf support Mac and Windows?
Yes—official Windows exe, macOS dmg, and Linux deb share the same web-print-pdf API with domestic desktops. See macOS deployment and Linux deployment.
Notice & disclaimer
Selection reference only—not commercial disparagement of hiprint or others. hiprint is an independent ecosystem; trademarks belong to their owners.
Client deployment by platform
The same web-print-pdf front-end runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux/domestic OS—install the matching client on each desktop.