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Cover image for PixLab DOCSCAN: The SDK-Free Alternative to Traditional Identity Verification
Vishal Yadav
Vishal Yadav

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PixLab DOCSCAN: The SDK-Free Alternative to Traditional Identity Verification

#webdev #javascript #programming #ai

If you're building KYC flows, identity verification, or onboarding workflows, you've probably dealt with bulky SDKs, dependency conflicts, or platform lock in from tools like Onfido, Veriff, and Jumio.

PixLab DOCSCAN solves that

It's a single REST API endpoint for scanning and extracting data from 11,094+ types of identity and document formats from 202 countries, no SDK required.

Why Developers Choose DOCSCAN

No SDKs Required: Consume via HTTPS from any backend, mobile, or serverless environment.

Global Coverage: 11,000+ document types, 202 countries passports, IDs, licenses, certificates, and more.

Face Detection Built-In: Instantly extract face images along with structured data in one API call.

Privacy-First: Entirely in-memory processing, no logs, immediate purge for GDPR/CCPA compliance.

Minutes to Integrate: Pure REST architecture, works in Python, Node.js, Go, PHP, Bash, and more.

Why Most ID Scanning Solutions Feel Overcomplicated

Traditional ID verification platforms typically force you down a specific path. You install their platform-specific SDK, manage a growing list of dependencies, and integrate their proprietary libraries into your codebase. The result? You're locked into their ecosystem, maintenance becomes a headache, and switching costs skyrocket.

DOCSCAN works differently. It's a single REST API endpoint at api.pixlab.io/docscan. No client-side SDKs, no platform-specific libraries. Just HTTP requests from whatever language or framework you're already using Python, Java, PHP, Go, JavaScript, even bash scripts.

1. Pure REST Architecture

The API accepts both GET and POST requests, giving you flexibility in how you integrate. Want to pass an image URL? Use GET. Need to upload a file directly? Use POST. It's that simple.

This approach means you're not tied to any particular platform or language. If your stack can make HTTPS requests, you can use DOCSCAN.

2. Unmatched Document Coverage

DOCSCAN handles 11,094 types of ID documents from 202 countries and territories. This includes documents with Machine Readable Zones (MRZ) and those without:

  • Passports and travel documents
  • National ID cards
  • Driver's licenses from various states and provinces
  • Residence permits and visas
  • Birth and death certificates

Most competitors cover significantly fewer document types. Onfido supports around 2,500 document types, Microblink covers about 2,500 from 140 countries, and Jumio handles roughly 500 types. Veriff claims over 12,000 documents, though their focus is primarily on government-issued IDs rather than the broader document variety DOCSCAN offers.

3. Built-In Face Detection and Extraction

DOCSCAN automatically detects and extracts faces from document scans. This eliminates the need to chain together multiple API services just to verify someone's identity.

You can store extracted face images directly in your AWS S3 bucket, keeping full control over sensitive customer data and simplifying compliance with privacy regulations.

4. Privacy-First Design

Here's something worth noting: DOCSCAN processes everything in memory. No persistent storage, no logs. Once a document is scanned and the data extracted, it's immediately purged from the server. This makes GDPR compliance straightforward and minimizes your data exposure.

5. Multi-Language Support

Whether you're dealing with documents in English, Arabic, Chinese, Cyrillic, Japanese, or other languages, DOCSCAN handles both structured and unstructured formats, including IDs without MRZ.

Docscan

Supported Documents & Use Cases

DOCSCAN covers:

  • Passports (all ICAO MRZ-compliant + non-standard)
  • National IDs (front/back, with and without MRZ)
  • Driver's licenses (all major country/province/state formats)
  • Visas, Resident Permits, Birth/Death Certificates
  • Insurance and custom forms

Works for global onboarding, fintech, travel, marketplaces, healthcare.

Key Advantages Over Legacy Providers

Feature PixLab DOCSCAN Onfido Veriff Microblink Jumio
SDK-free Pure REST Yes No No No No
Document Types 11,094+ 2,500 12,000+ 2,500 500
Supports All Countries 202 195 230 140 200
In-memory Processing Yes No No No No
Built-In Face Extraction Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Start Free/Pay As You Go Yes No No No No

Privacy & Compliance

All Processing In-Memory: No document or face image ever stored or logged by DOCSCAN.

TLS 1.3 Encryption: End to end for all API traffic.

Auto-Purge: Data gone after extraction zero retention by design.

GDPR/CCPA Compliant: Meets privacy regulations out of the box.

Integration: Plug Into Any Workflow

Serverless: Works on AWS Lambda, Google Functions, Azure, etc

Traditional & Modern Backends: Django, Express, Laravel, Spring, etc

Cloud or On-Premise Options: For strict data-residency needs

PixLab DOCSCAN: Workflow

1. User Uploads Document

End user submits a document (passport, ID, driver's license) via your web or mobile app or automated batch process.

2. Your Backend Calls DOCSCAN API

Your server sends the document to PixLab DOCSCAN via HTTPS.

Upload options:

  • POST with binary file
  • GET with public image URL

3. DOCSCAN Engine Processes the Document

DOCSCAN automatically:

  • Detects document type & country
  • Extracts fields (name, number, DOB, expiry, etc)
  • Reads MRZ (if available)
  • Detects & crops face image
  • Processes everything in-memory (no storage, GDPR-friendly)

4. JSON Response from DOCSCAN

In 2–5 seconds, DOCSCAN returns structured JSON:

{
  "type": "passport",
  "country": "IN",
  "fields": {
    "name": "VISHAL",
    "dob": "2000-07-01",
    "document_number": "XXXXXXX"
  },
  "mrz": "P<IND...",
  "face_url": "https://your-s3-bucket/faceimg.png"
}
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5. Integrate Results Into Your Workflow

Use the extracted data to:

  • Auto-fill KYC/onboarding forms
  • Verify identity or match face to selfie
  • Store text/face for audits or compliance in your own cloud

work flow

Code Examples: See the Difference

PixLab DOCSCAN (Python) 

import requests
import json

# Scan over 11K ID Documents from over 197 countries using the PixLab DOCSCAN API Endpoint
# documented at: https://pixlab.io/id-scan-api/docscan
#
# In this example, given a Passport document, extract the passport holder face and
# convert/parse all Machine Readable Zone
# to textual content ready to be consumed by your application.
#
# PixLab recommend that you connect your AWS S3 bucket via the dashboard at
# https://console.pixlab.io
# so that any extracted face or MRZ crop is automatically stored on your S3 bucket rather
# than the PixLab one.
# This feature should give you full control over your analyzed media files.
#
# Refer to the official documentation at: https://ekyc.pixlab.io/docscan for the API
# reference guide and more code samples.
# You can switch to GET if your input ID DOCUMENT is publicly available
req = requests.post(
    'https://api.pixlab.io/docscan',
    files = {
        'file': open('./local_id_card_image.png', 'rb') # The local Passport image we are going to send to DOCSCAN
    },
    data={
        'type':'passport', # Type of document we are a going to scan,
        'key':'PIXLAB_API_KEY' # PixLab API Key - Get yours from https://console.pixlab.io/'
    }
)
reply = req.json()
if reply['status'] != 200:
    print (reply['error'])
else:
    print(f"User Cropped Face: {reply['face_url']}")
    # Display all extracted fields from the ID document
    print(f"Document Number: {reply['fields']['documentNumber']}")
    print(f"Issuing Country: {reply['fields']['issuingCountry']}")
    print(f"Full Name: {reply['fields']['fullName']}")
    print(f"Date Of Birth: {reply['fields']['dateOfBirth']}")
    # Fields that varies from different ID types
    if 'checkDigit' in reply['fields']:
        print(f"\tCheck Digit: {reply['fields']['checkDigit']}")
    if 'nationality' in reply['fields']:
        print(f"\tNationality: {reply['fields']['nationality']}")
    if 'sex' in reply['fields']:
        print(f"\tSex: {reply['fields']['sex']}")
    if 'dateOfExpiry' in reply['fields']:
        print(f"\tDate Of Expiry: {reply['fields']['dateOfExpiry']}")
    if 'personalNumber' in reply['fields']:
        print(f"\tPersonal Number: {reply['fields']['personalNumber']}")
    if 'finalcheckDigit' in reply['fields']:
        print(f"\tFinal Check Digit: {reply['fields']['finalcheckDigit']}")
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PixLab DOCSCAN (JavaScript/Node.js) 

async function scanDocument() {
  try {
    const apiKey = 'PIXLAB_API_KEY'; // Your Pixlab API key. Get your from:
    // https://console.pixlab.io
    };

    const imageUrl = 'http://i.stack.imgur.com/oJY2K.png'; // Image URL to scan if
    // available or upload direclty yours via POST
    const url = 'https://api.pixlab.io/docscan'; // DOCSCAN API Endpoint
    // Payload request
    const data = {
      img: imageUrl, // The ID image public URL if available or directly upload your own
      // from your backend for more privacy
      type: 'passport', // The document type we are going to scan such 'idcard',
      // 'driver_license', 'passport', etc
      key: apiKey // Your PixLab API key
    };

    // Perform the request
    const reply = await fetch(url, {
      method: 'POST', // or GET in case the image URL is publicly available
      headers: {
        'Content-Type': 'application/json'
      },
      body: JSON.stringify(data)
    }).then(response => response.json());

    // Processing result
    if (reply.status !== 200) {
      console.error(reply.error);
    } else {
      console.log("User Cropped Face: " + reply.face_url);
      console.log("Extracted Fields: ");
      console.log("\tIssuing Country: " + reply.fields.issuingCountry);
      console.log("\tFull Name: " + reply.fields.fullName);
      console.log("\tDocument Number: " + reply.fields.documentNumber);
      console.log("\tCheck Digit: " + reply.fields.checkDigit);
      console.log("\tNationality: " + reply.fields.nationality);
      console.log("\tDate Of Birth: " + reply.fields.dateOfBirth);
      console.log("\tSex: " + reply.fields.sex);
      console.log("\tDate Of Expiry: " + reply.fields.dateOfExpiry);
      console.log("\tPersonal Number: " + reply.fields.personalNumber);
      console.log("\tFinal Check Digit: " + reply.fields.finalcheckDigit);
    }
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Error:', error);
  }
}

scanDocument();
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PixLab DOCSCAN (cURL - Command Line)

Curl

Compare this to typical SDK-based solutions that require:

  • Installing platform-specific packages
  • Managing version dependencies
  • Importing multiple libraries
  • Configuring SDK initialization
  • Handling platform-specific quirks

The difference is clear: DOCSCAN lets you start scanning documents in seconds with tools you already know.

More code samples in various languages are available on the PixLab GitHub Repository and the DOCSCAN documentation page.

Getting Started with DOCSCAN

Integration takes just three steps:

1. Get Your API Key

Visit the PixLab Console to create a free account and generate your API key. No credit card required for testing.

Pixlab

2. Make Your First API Call

Use the code examples above or explore the comprehensive documentation with examples in Python, PHP, Java, JavaScript, Go, and more.

3. Integrate and Scale

DOCSCAN works identically whether you're processing 10 documents per month or 10 million. The cloud scale backend automatically handles load without configuration.

Real-World Benefits

Fintech & Banking: Fast KYC onboarding, ID/face verification in seconds.

Travel & Hospitality: Instant guest ID checks and data extraction.

Marketplaces & Platforms: Cross-border seller/buyer verification, fraud reduction.

Healthcare: Patient identity and insurance form digitization.

Real world

Conclusion: The Future of ID Scanning is SDK Free

The ID verification industry is evolving beyond proprietary SDKs and complex integrations. PixLab DOCSCAN demonstrates what's possible when you prioritize developer experience and architectural simplicity without compromising on features or performance.

With support for over 11,000 document types from 202 countries, built-in face detection, privacy-first processing, and a pure REST API design, DOCSCAN offers a compelling alternative to traditional ID verification platforms.

Whether you're building a fintech application, marketplace platform, healthcare system, or any service requiring identity verification, DOCSCAN provides the power and flexibility you need without the SDK overhead you don't.

Ready to Experience the Difference?

Explore the API: Visit the DOCSCAN documentation for complete technical details and code samples

Get Your API Key: Sign up at the PixLab Console and start testing for free

View Product Details: Learn more on the PixLab ID Scan Platform page

Join the growing number of developers and businesses choosing SDK-free id scanning with PixLab DOCSCAN, where simplicity meets power

All screenshots, code samples, and technical specifications referenced in this article are sourced directly from the official DOCSCAN documentation and PixLab's product materials. Some additional data and references have been obtained from Google and other publicly available sources

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