Comparison

Adobe Scan vs PDF Scanner App

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 Scanner App

Transform your device into a powerful document scanner. Easily scan, import, and share PDFs and images. Features include OCR, electronic signatures, and multi-page scanning. Store documents directly on your device.

Highlights
  • Scan documents and images
  • Convert to PDF or JPEG
  • OCR text extraction
  • Electronic signatures
  • Multi-page PDF creation
  • Automatic edge detection and perspective correction
Features
Read full description

PDF Scanner App allows you to effortlessly scan, import, and instantly share documents within this smart Scanner app. Easily retrieve and access all your previously scanned files using this PDF Document Scanner app. With this app you can easily Scan app on your phone, you can effortlessly save time and energy by scanning swiftly whenever needed. The PDF Document are directly stored on your iPhone in either image or PDF format, courtesy of the free PDF scanner and high-definition camera scanner pro app for PDF scans. - Scan PDF Turn your iPhone or iPad into a powerful document scanner and PDF converter with the PDF Scanner App. Whether you need to scan PDF, digitize receipts, documents, business cards, whiteboards, IDs, books, or photos, our app has you covered. Easily transform images into PDFs in an instant. - Scan ID & Passport Effortlessly scan your ID cards and passports, then easily share them with others. This PDF Document Scanner App easily scans ID cards, passports, driver's licenses, visas, and various identity documents within seconds. It then stores the Scanned document within the device, utilizing the capabilities of both an ID scanner and a document scanner. - Complete your paperwork from anywhere with ease Use this PDF Document Scanner App to include an electronic signature using PDF sign tools. An intuitive PDF Editor App allows you to mark and edit fields, adding everything you need effortlessly. - Scan Book with our PDF Scanner App Use our free Document Scanner app to easily scan books, novels, magazines, and convert them to PDF format with the help of a Camera Scanner App. Save your scanned documents directly to your iPhone and iPad device in either image or PDF format using the Doc Scanner app. Key Features of the PDF Scanner App - Free Document Scanner Pro & Scan PDF: • Automatically detects document edges and corrects perspective of PDF Document. • Enhance scan quality both automatically and manually. • Free document and photo scanning with this camera scanner app. • Extract text from images using OCR, making it searchable, editable, and shareable. • Scan multiple pages and convert them to a multi-page PDF using the PDF document scanner app. • Scan and print PDF documents using the free doc scanner app. • Efficiently manage your files for better document organization. • Convert selected images from your Image Gallery into PDF documents. Scan, edit, sign, and effortlessly share any document in either PDF or JPEG format. Our scanner functions seamlessly without requiring an internet connection, storing all scans directly on your device. Take your productivity to the next level with e-sign or sign PDF Document and OCR capabilities. Add your signature to scanned documents with just a few taps in Scanner Pro. Utilize text recognition to convert any scan into editable text. Information about the auto-renewal of subscription for PDF Scanner Pro - Document Scanner App. -Subscribe to unlock Pro access to all features, with charges applied upon purchase confirmation. -Subscriptions automatically renew 24 hours prior to the expiration date. You can manage your subscriptions in the account settings within the App Store. -Users have the option to manage subscriptions and disable auto-renewal by accessing their Account Settings after making a purchase. -If a user purchases a subscription after a free trial period, any remaining unused portion of the trial will be forfeited. Privacy Policy: https://www.techstic.org/privacy-pdf-scanner Terms of Use: https://www.techstic.org/tos-pdf-scanner

Screenshots

Adobe Scan4 screens
PDF Scanner App4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: PDF Scanner App at none against Adobe Scan's shown. PDF Scanner App also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.0). Adobe Scan's advantage is ratings volume (1.6M vs 217) and chart position (#11 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 Scanner App sells 2 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 4.8 for PDF Scanner App. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Adobe Scan has 1.6M ratings behind it against 217, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Adobe Scan ships an update fortnightly, PDF Scanner App every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
Adobe Scan versus PDF Scanner App: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAdobe ScanPDF Scanner App
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (1.6M ratings) — better4.8 (217 ratings)
Positive reviews82.1% of reviews—
Number of ratings1.6M — better217
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
Best chart rank#11 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS18.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size400 MB30 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAdobe Inc.PDF Scanner Editor PDF Converter Expert

Customer experience

Adobe Scan

All ratings1,601,238 ratings
Positive97.6%
Neutral1.3%
Negative1.1%
Written reviews3,985 reviews
Positive82.1%
Neutral3.0%
Negative14.9%

PDF Scanner App

All ratings263 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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 Scanner App

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
2 purchases

PDF Scanner App

Subscriptions2
  • PDF Editor, Doc Scanner Access$5.997 Days
  • PDF Scanner Unlimited Access$39.991 Year

Questions

Is Adobe Scan free?
Adobe Scan is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PDF Scanner App free?
PDF Scanner App is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Adobe Scan or PDF Scanner App?
Adobe Scan is rated higher. Adobe Scan averages 4.9 out of 5 from 1.6M ratings, while PDF Scanner App averages 4.8 from 217 ratings.
Do Adobe Scan or PDF Scanner App have ads?
Adobe Scan shows ads; PDF Scanner App does not.
Which is updated more often, Adobe Scan or PDF Scanner App?
Adobe Scan ships an update fortnightly, and PDF Scanner App every 2 weeks. Most recently, Adobe Scan was updated on November 2, 2026 and PDF Scanner App on October 24, 2026.

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