Comparison

Adobe Scan vs PDF document Scanner

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Adobe Scan

Transform your mobile device into a powerful document scanner. Easily convert paper documents, receipts, and IDs into professional-looking PDFs or JPEGs. Enhance scans with automatic straightening, stain removal, and editable text conversion.

Highlights
  • High-speed bulk scanning
  • Convert paper to PDF/JPEG
  • Automatic straightening
  • Magic eraser for cleanup
  • Extract pages
  • Image to text OCR
  • Organize into folders
Read full description

Major update: The new Digitize tool lets you scan handwritten notes and whiteboards into editable, searchable documents that look digitally created. Currently available in beta. Adobe Scan is free to download and turns your mobile device into a powerful PDF and document scanner that helps you create, save, and organize your paper documents as digital files. 6 WAYS TO USE ADOBE SCAN 1) Save time with a fast document scanner: Use High-speed scan to bulk scan documents and turn stacks into PDFs in seconds. 2) Clean up scans with Magic eraser: Auto-detect and remove thumbs, shadows, stains and creases so your document scans look clear and professional. 3) Make a PDF with your phone: Convert paper documents or printed images into PDFs or JPEGs with the mobile PDF and photo scanner. 4) Use the Extract pages tool to choose the pages you need from any multi-page scan and save them as a new PDF. 5) Turn images to text: Use the image-to-text feature to make words in your scans searchable and editable with OCR. 6) Scan anything: Receipts, IDs, notes, recipes, photos, business cards, whiteboards – scan documents into PDF or JPEG files you can work with on your phone, tablet, or computer. CAPTURE WITH PRECISION • The Straighten tool fixes pages that come out curved or tilted while you scan, even if all four corners aren’t visible in the scan. • Advanced scanning technology detects borders, sharpens content, and makes your scans editable and searchable. ENHANCE YOUR SCANS • Edit in text lets you scan words, and handwritten text, to make it editable. • The Modify tool helps you crop, rotate, resize, and adjust colors in your scans. • Reorder pages and preview before saving. • Adjust the brightness and contrast of your scans in just a few taps. ORGANIZE YOUR DOCUMENTS • Scan paperwork and create custom folders for work documents, personal files, school forms, or ID scans. • Contact details are pulled straight from business cards so you can save them to your phone contacts in seconds. • Scans are automatically saved to Adobe Document Cloud for instant access and sharing. • Set a password to keep that important scan secure while you send it. SMART LIBRARY • This powerful doc scanner finds documents and receipts in your photo library and turns them into PDFs. • Touch up scans or photos directly from your camera roll. REUSE & SHARE • Open PDFs directly in Adobe Scan, without leaving the app. Then use tools like Modify, Edit, and Share. • Make high-quality PDFs that unlock text from images – from scanned contracts to study notes – so you can copy, edit, and reuse. • Export your scans to Word, Excel, or PowerPoint for new formats, then share. DO MORE WITH ACROBAT READER • Open your PDF scan in Acrobat Reader to comment, highlight, fill forms, and sign documents. • Access and share securely across Scan, Reader, and Acrobat on web and mobile. IN-APP PURCHASE • Subscribe for even more scanning power. Subscriptions work across Scan and Reader mobile apps and Acrobat on the web. • Combine scans into one file so you can take multiple scans and consolidate into one document. • Increase OCR capacity from 5 to 100 pages so that you can find text in multiple images. Download this free mobile scanner to convert important photos and documents into PDF and JPEG files to help you stay organized. Adobe Scan is the PDF converter trusted by millions worldwide. Terms & Conditions: Your use of this application is governed by the Adobe General Terms of Use http://www.adobe.com/go/terms_linkfree_en and the Adobe Privacy Policy http://www.adobe.com/go/privacy_policy_linkfree_en Do not sell or share my personal information www.adobe.com/go/ca-rights-linkfree

About

PDF document Scanner

Instantly scan, edit, and sign documents with this powerful yet compact scanner app. Convert files to PDF, JPG, or TXT, and utilize OCR to extract text. Securely store and share your documents with advanced editing and file management features.

Highlights
  • Scan documents to PDF, JPG, TXT
  • OCR text recognition
  • Electronic signature
  • PDF conversion
  • Document editing and file management
  • Secure local storage
Features
Read full description

Download this scanner app for free to instantly scan, save, and share any document in PDF, JPG or TXT formats. DOCUMENT SCANNER This tiny yet powerful free scanner app is a must-have for students and anyone involved in a small business: accountants, realtors, managers, or lawyers. Scan anything you need, including receipts, contracts, paper notes, fax papers, books, and store your scans as multipage PDF or JPG files. INNOVATIVE PDF SCANNER – Scan documents and photos to PDF, JPG, or TXT – Easily scan multiple pages into one document – Recognize text from any scannable object with OCR – Put your electronic signature on documents PDF CONVERTER – PDF Converter: create pdf from a website, convert document files (doc, docx, ppt, pptx) to PDF. – Supported file formats: pdf, jpg, doc, docx, txt, xls, xlsm, xlsx, csv, ppt, pptm, pptx EASILY SHARE – Share files for commenting or viewing in WhatsApp, iMessage, Microsoft Teams. – Collect comments from multiple people in one file online. – Speed document reviews by responding to each other’s comments. – Receive activity notifications for files you’ve shared. – Email attachment or sending the doc link. HANDY DOCUMENT EDITOR & FILE MANAGER – Edit scans using color correction and noise removing features – Use file manager with folders, drag & drop, and document editing features – Protect your confidential scans by locking folders and files with PIN EASY DOCUMENT SHARING – Scan documents and share them in just a few taps – Print contracts and invoices right from the scanning app – Share and upload scanned documents to cloud services like Dropbox, Google Drive, Evernote, OneDrive. – With this secure free scanner app, any scanned or exported documents are stored locally on your iPhone, and neither we nor any third-party can access them. Terms of use : https://ios-apps1.web.app/scanx_terms.html

Screenshots

Adobe Scan4 screens
PDF document Scanner4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: PDF document Scanner at none against Adobe Scan's shown. PDF document Scanner also leads on iOS requirement (14.0 vs 18.0). Adobe Scan's advantage is ratings volume (1.6M vs 88) and chart position (#12 vs unranked). On price, rating, update cadence and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Adobe Scan sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and PDF document Scanner sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for Adobe Scan against 4.9 for PDF document Scanner. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Adobe Scan has 1.6M ratings behind it against 88, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Adobe Scan ships an update fortnightly, PDF document Scanner monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
Adobe Scan versus PDF document Scanner: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAdobe ScanPDF document Scanner
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (1.6M ratings)4.9 (88 ratings)
Positive reviews82.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings1.6M — better88
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterMonthly
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#12 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS18.014.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size400 MB13 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAdobe Inc.Bytesong Private Limited

Customer experience

Adobe Scan

All ratings1,599,420 ratings
Positive97.6%
Neutral1.3%
Negative1.1%
Written reviews3,915 reviews
Positive82.4%
Neutral3.0%
Negative14.6%

PDF document Scanner

All ratings88 ratings
Positive97.7%
Neutral1.1%
Negative1.1%

Bugs and requests

Adobe Scan

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Scans not saving properly
  • Compatibility issues with older devices
  • Problems with multi-page document scanning

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add option to save scans locally without cloud sync
  • Improve edge detection and auto-cropping accuracy
  • Implement multi-language OCR support
  • Allow manual control over scan settings and adjustments

PDF document Scanner

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

13 purchases

Adobe Scan

Subscriptions13
  • Adobe Scan Premium$3.991 Month
  • Adobe Scan Plus - Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Adobe PDF Pack$9.991 Month
Show 10 more
  • Adobe Scan Premium - Monthly7 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Adobe Scan Premium$9.991 Month
  • Scan premium - monthly$14.991 Month
  • Adobe Scan Plus - Yearly$19.991 Year
  • Adobe Scan Premium7 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Adobe Scan Premium7 Days trial$49.991 Year
  • Adobe Scan Premium7 Days trial$59.991 Year
  • Adobe Scan Premium7 Days trial$69.991 Year
  • Adobe Scan Premium1 Year trial$69.991 Year
  • Adobe PDF Pack$89.991 Year
3 purchases

PDF document Scanner

Subscriptions3
  • Weekly3 Days trial$5.997 Days
  • Monthly3 Days trial$7.991 Month
  • Yearly$29.991 Year

Questions

Is Adobe Scan free?
Adobe Scan is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PDF document Scanner free?
PDF document Scanner is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Adobe Scan or PDF document Scanner?
Adobe Scan and PDF document Scanner are both rated 4.9 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1.6M and 88 ratings respectively.
Do Adobe Scan or PDF document Scanner have ads?
Adobe Scan shows ads; PDF document Scanner does not.
Which is updated more often, Adobe Scan or PDF document Scanner?
Adobe Scan ships an update fortnightly, and PDF document Scanner monthly. Most recently, Adobe Scan was updated on October 17, 2026 and PDF document Scanner on October 9, 2026.

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