Comparison

PDF Scan vs PDFelement

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

Head to head
About

PDF Scan

Transform your phone into a powerful document scanner. Easily scan paper documents, receipts, and IDs, converting them into searchable PDFs. Extract text from images using OCR and manage your files with cloud sync and various PDF tools.

Highlights
  • Document scanning with edge detection
  • OCR for text extraction from images
  • Image to PDF conversion
  • Cloud sync with Google Drive
  • PDF editing and signing
  • PDF compression, merging, and splitting
Features
Read full description

Max Scanner is OCR & PDF scanning app that turns your phone into Document Scanner. Scan paper documents, receipts, IDs, and photos, convert images to PDF, and extract text from images using OCR. Create searchable PDFs in seconds and manage them easily. • PDF Scanner – scan documents with automatic edge detection • OCR (Image to Text) – extract and edit text from images • Image to PDF Converter – create single or multi-page PDFs • Cloud Sync – back up and sync documents with Google Drive • PDF Tools – compress, merge, split, reorder, and protect PDFs • Edit & Sign PDFs – annotate, highlight, and add digital signatures Download Max Scanner – scan documents, use OCR, create PDFs, and sync to the cloud. Subscription Plans Monthly Plan – $5.99 • Unlimited scans & OCR • Ad-free access Yearly Plan – $60.99 • Unlimited scans & OCR • Ad-free access Subscription Info Payment is charged to your iTunes account at purchase. Subscriptions auto-renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel subscriptions anytime in your Account Settings. Any unused free trial will be forfeited upon purchase. Privacy Policy: https://appzys.com/ios/smartscanner/privacypolicy Terms of Service: https://appzys.com/ios/smartscanner/termsofuse

About

PDFelement

This application offers comprehensive PDF management, including advanced editing, AI-powered summarization and translation, and efficient scanning with OCR. It helps organize, convert, and secure documents for work, study, and personal use.

Highlights
  • AI Chat with PDF
  • Scan and OCR
  • PDF to Office Conversion
  • Edit PDF like Word
  • Password Protection
  • Compress PDF
Features
Read full description

PDFelement is optimized for the latest Liquid Glass experience, with a more refined interface, clearer navigation, and smoother interactions for your PDF workflow. AI PDF Editor, PDF Reader, PDF Scanner, PDF Converter, PDF Signer. One app for work, study, and everyday life. Customize Your Toolbar Arrange your PDF tools the way you work. Reorder, show, or hide toolbar items to keep your favorite actions within easy reach and create a cleaner, faster, and more efficient workspace. AI PDF • Chat with PDF: Ask questions and get instant, accurate answers from your PDFs. • AI Summarize PDF: Turn lengthy contracts, reports, and documents into concise key points. • AI Translate: Translate selected text instantly across 60+ languages. • Generate Mind Map: Transform PDF content into clear visual mind maps. • AI Record: Record, transcribe, and convert voice notes into editable text for efficient note-taking. Edit PDF Like Word • Edit PDF: Edit PDF text, images, links, and watermarks with ease. • Font Editing: Keep the original font, erase content, and adjust font size, spacing, and formatting effortlessly. Professional PDF Reader • Liquid Mode: Optimize PDFs for comfortable reading on any screen. • Bookmarks: Save and jump to important pages instantly. • Read Aloud: Listen to PDFs with your preferred voice and playback speed. Scan & OCR • PDF Scanner: Scan receipts, invoices, contracts, IDs, and certificates into high-quality PDFs. • OCR: Extract editable text from scanned documents and images. • Multi-Page Scan: Combine multiple scans into a single PDF. PDF Converter • PDF to Word, Excel, PowerPoint & Images: Convert PDFs into editable Office files or JPG, PNG, and more. • Create PDF: Convert Microsoft Office documents and images into PDFs. Annotate PDF • Markup & Notes: Highlight, underline, draw, and add sticky notes. • Comments: Review documents with professional commenting tools. • Measure: Measure distance, perimeter, and area directly inside PDFs. Create PDF • Blank PDF: Start with customizable paper templates. • Image to PDF: Create PDFs from photos or camera scans. Manage PDF • Compress PDF: Reduce file size while maintaining quality. • Merge PDF: Combine multiple PDFs into one document. • Organize Pages: Add, delete, rotate, extract, split, and rearrange PDF pages. Fill & Sign • Fill PDF Forms: Complete interactive PDF forms quickly and accurately. • E-Sign PDF: Add typed or handwritten signatures. • Custom Stamps: Create reusable stamps with text, drawings, or images. Store & Share PDF • PDFelement Cloud: Access your PDFs anytime, anywhere across your devices. • Protect PDF: Secure sensitive files with passwords and encryption. • Share PDF: Share documents via links, email, AirDrop, or social apps. PDF Templates • Professional Templates: Browse resumes, invoices, planners, contracts, invitations, and more. • Easy Customization: Personalize colors, fonts, and layouts in seconds. • Business & Education Ready: Create polished documents for work, school, and everyday use. MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTION DETAILS Payment will be charged to your iTunes Account upon confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current subscription period. You can manage or cancel your subscription anytime in your App Store account settings. Terms of Use: https://www.wondershare.com/company/terms_conditions.html Privacy Policy: https://www.wondershare.com/privacy.html

Screenshots

PDF Scan4 screens
PDFelement4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ratings volume: PDFelement at 7.6K against PDF Scan's 44. PDFelement also leads on update cadence (every 10 days vs every 3 weeks). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads 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. PDF Scan sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month and PDFelement sells 18 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. 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 — 4.5 for PDF Scan against 4.6 for PDFelement. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PDFelement has 7.6K ratings behind it against 44, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 75% and 76% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PDF Scan ships an update every 3 weeks, PDFelement every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on September 9, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
PDF Scan versus PDFelement: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPDF ScanPDFelement
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (44 ratings)4.6 (7.6K ratings) — better
Positive reviews75.0% of reviews75.9% of reviews — better
Number of ratings447.6K — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 10 days — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size116 MB196 MB
Age rating4+9+
DeveloperGovarthani RajeshWondershare Technology Group Co.,LTD

Customer experience

PDF Scan

All ratings44 ratings
Positive88.6%
Neutral2.3%
Negative9.1%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%

PDFelement

All ratings7,566 ratings
Positive90.7%
Neutral2.4%
Negative6.9%
Written reviews827 reviews
Positive75.9%
Neutral3.6%
Negative20.4%

Bugs and requests

PDF Scan

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

PDFelement

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Login issues and inability to restore purchases
  • Corrupted scanned files or loss of progress
  • Inconsistent behavior when editing PDF text
  • Compatibility problems with older devices or OS versions

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add dark mode option
  • Improve cloud integration and file management
  • Enhance OCR accuracy and capabilities
  • Introduce multi-tab support for better workflow
  • Add more customization options for toolbars and UI

In-app purchases

2 purchases

PDF Scan

Subscriptions2
  • Unlimited Scans Monthly$5.991 Month
  • Unlimited Scans Yearly$60.991 Year
18 purchases

PDFelement

Subscriptions16
  • Monthly Subscription (AI)$3.991 Month
  • PDF Editor& Converter& Scanner$6.991 Month
  • PDF Editor & Scanner Pro(iOS)$6.991 Month
Show 13 more
  • Weekly Subscription (iOS)$6.997 Days
  • Quarterly Subscription (iOS)$9.993 Months
  • Weekly Subscription (iOS)7 Days trial$9.997 Days
  • Weekly Subscription (iOS)$9.997 Days
  • Monthly Subscription (All)$19.991 Month
  • Annual Subscription (iOS)$24.991 Year
  • PDF Editor & Scanner Pro7 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Annual Subscription (iOS)2 variants$29.991 Year
  • Annual Subscription (iOS)3 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Quarterly Subscription (All)$39.993 Months
  • Annual Subscription (iOS+Win)$99.991 Year
  • Annual Subscription (iOS+Mac)$99.991 Year
  • Annual Subscription (All)$109.991 Year
One-time2
  • PDF Editor & Scanner Pro$39.99
  • iOS$39.99

Questions

Is PDF Scan free?
PDF Scan is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PDFelement free?
PDFelement is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, PDF Scan or PDFelement?
PDFelement is rated higher. PDF Scan averages 4.5 out of 5 from 44 ratings, while PDFelement averages 4.6 from 7.6K ratings.
Do PDF Scan or PDFelement have ads?
Both PDF Scan and PDFelement show ads.
Which is updated more often, PDF Scan or PDFelement?
PDF Scan ships an update every 3 weeks, and PDFelement every 10 days. Most recently, PDF Scan was updated on September 9, 2026 and PDFelement on September 29, 2026.

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