Extend

Overview

Extend is document-processing infrastructure for developers building AI applications around unstructured files. It suits teams that need to connect parsing and extraction to application workflows; its main trade-off is that fully air-gapped deployment is not an option.

Its mix of APIs, SDKs and configurable deployment makes it a practical fit for document-heavy products, particularly in critical industries. Teams looking for a standalone, ready-made accounts-payable application may be better served by a more specialized tool.

Key features

Document pipelines

Workflows combine processors to classify, route and validate documents, then deliver results to a webhook. That is useful when a product needs a sequence of processing steps rather than a single extraction call. Human validation gives teams a way to include review in that flow.

Parsing and extraction

AI-powered extraction sits alongside parsing, splitting and editing. Parsing can return clean Markdown or blocks for retrieval-augmented generation and agents, making Extend relevant when documents need to feed an AI application rather than simply be archived. Support for 35+ file types across all three plans broadens the range of inputs a team can handle.

Developer tools and deployment

Teams can integrate through an API and official Python, TypeScript, Java and Go SDKs, or work through a browser dashboard, CLI or MCP server for compatible clients. The CLI installation script works on macOS and Linux. Managed cloud, BYOC and Hybrid deployment give organizations options for where processing runs, but teams requiring a fully air-gapped environment should rule Extend out.

Extend says its controls align with SOC 2 Type II requirements and that it is HIPAA and GDPR compliant. Customer files and processing artifacts are stored in encrypted object storage in the deployment region, with encryption at rest and TLS in transit. Those protections matter for sensitive document workloads, while they do not change the air-gap limitation.

Pricing

Credits are the common billing unit, and each API consumes a base number of credits per page. The free Pay As You Go tier includes 10,000 credits, then charges $0.0125 per additional credit, with no contract or monthly minimum. It is the sensible starting point for variable usage or evaluation, though teams with sustained volume will need to watch the per-credit rate.

Scale costs $500 a month, billed $500 per month, and includes 50,000 credits per month. Additional credits cost $0.01 each, and the plan adds private Slack Channel support. HIPAA Compliance and BAA are an add-on. Scale suits teams with predictable usage that can benefit from a lower additional-credit rate and stronger support, but the monthly commitment is a meaningful step up from Pay As You Go.

Enterprise has custom pricing and custom per-credit pricing. It includes BYOC and Hybrid deployments, SSO and SAML, and dedicated support, making it the tier for organizations needing those deployment or access controls. There is no free trial.

Platforms

Extend supports API, Linux, macOS and web. The CLI installation script is specifically supported on macOS and Linux; API and browser access provide the main integration and dashboard routes.

Who it's for

Extend is aimed at builders working with unstructured data in critical industries such as healthcare, real estate, insurance and finance. It is strongest for teams embedding configurable document processing into their own applications, especially where workflows need routing, validation or deployment choices. It is less suitable for teams seeking a turnkey AP tool or requiring fully isolated, air-gapped infrastructure.

Pros and cons

• Pros: A single workflow can combine classification, routing, validation and webhook delivery, reducing the need to stitch those stages together separately.
• Pros: SDKs for four languages, an API, CLI and MCP server provide several integration paths for developer-led products.
• Pros: Pay As You Go includes 10,000 free credits without a contract or monthly minimum, keeping initial usage flexible.
• Cons: Fully air-gapped deployment is unavailable, excluding organizations with that requirement.
• Cons: Pay As You Go charges $0.0125 per additional credit; Scale lowers that rate but requires $500 per month.
• Cons: HIPAA Compliance and BAA are an add-on on Scale, so that plan does not include them by default.

Alternatives

If invoice OCR is the priority, Veryfi Invoices OCR API offers an invoice-focused API and a free trial; its Starter plan is $500 a month with a $500/mo minimum commitment and charges $0.16 per invoice.

Nanonets Accounts Payable Automation is another AP-focused option, with a free plan and trial; its paid Starter usage tier is $100 a month for 100 credits. For a low-cost start centered on templates and a single workflow, Kudra has a free Starter plan with 100 pages uploaded per month, one custom workflow, one user and 50+ pre-built extraction templates.

super.AI Document may suit teams wanting reviewer views: its free Starter plan begins with 25,000 credits, 1–3 users and one workspace. For a web-only option with explicit page-based tiers, Lido offers a $29 a month Standard plan with 100 pages per month and one user. Doxis AI.dp is worth considering for pay-as-you-go use with €25.00 worth of free credit, though it has no free plan and its custom pricing depends on volume. Unstract is another web-based option with a free plan.

Browse more options in Intelligent Document Processing Software.

Verdict

Choose Extend if you are building a document-heavy application and want API-first processing, composable workflows and a choice of managed cloud, BYOC or Hybrid deployment. Its free credits make a low-commitment start possible, while Scale offers a lower overage rate for regular volume. Look elsewhere if fully air-gapped deployment is mandatory, or if you need a ready-made accounts-payable product rather than infrastructure to integrate.