Fern vs. Leed
Fern's spec-driven SDK and API reference generation is best-in-class when your docs are the API reference. But it's seat- and credit-limited, and leans on Segment or PostHog for engagement data. Leed covers the reference plus everything around it — product guides, release notes people read, native analytics, and lead capture — free to start with unlimited users.
Your docs are primarily an API reference and you need pixel-perfect, spec-driven SDKs generated from OpenAPI in a dozen languages.
Your docs are more than an API reference — and a growth channel — product guides, release notes, native reader analytics, and lead capture, free to start with unlimited users and no seat or credit caps.
Where the platforms diverge.
The growth engine Fern leaves outside the API reference.
Guides and product docs, not just endpoints
Fern is built around your OpenAPI spec. Leed handles the API reference too, plus the guides, tutorials, and product docs that live outside it.
Analytics native to the platform, not bolted on
Fern leans on Segment, PostHog, or GA for engagement data. Leed's scroll-depth and reader-identification analytics are built in — no separate tool to wire up.
Docs that capture pipeline
Fern's changelog is hand-authored Markdown and it has no lead capture. Leed drafts release notes from your tracker and turns engaged readers into tracked pipeline — a growth layer Fern doesn't offer.
Start free. See what your docs are worth.
Bring your existing docs — unlimited users, your own domain, no card. Capture leads free; pay only when you're ready to email and nurture them.