Comparison

PDF Scan vs Smart Scanner

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

Smart Scanner

This app allows you to scan documents, IDs, and business cards using your phone's camera and convert them into PDF files. It also features QR and barcode scanning, text extraction with OCR, and options to share or print your scanned documents.

Highlights
  • Scan documents and IDs
  • QR and barcode scanning
  • Extract text from images (OCR)
  • Optimize scan quality with AI
  • Share PDF files
  • Print documents via AirPrint
  • Secure PDFs with passcode
Features
Read full description

Turn paper into clean, searchable digital files — privately, on your iPhone. Smart Scanner digitizes paperwork, receipts, contracts, ID cards and notes in seconds. Scan with your camera, auto-correct the page, export a crisp PDF, and extract text with OCR. Everything is processed on your device, so your documents never leave your phone. WHY SMART SCANNER • On-device scanning and OCR — no account, no cloud upload • Automatic edge detection, perspective correction and straightening • Grayscale, monochrome and low-light modes for clean pages • Batch scanning, page reordering and duplex support • A3, A4 and Letter paper sizes DIGITIZE PAPERWORK Scan invoices, receipts, contracts, certificates, notes, business cards and ID documents. Keep every page organized in binders and folders you can search later. SCAN TO PDF & EXPORT Create multi-page PDFs, then export to PDF, DOCX, RTF or TXT for editing and reuse. Compress large files before you email them. OCR & TEXT EXTRACTION Recognize printed text in multiple languages and copy, edit or export it in a tap. QR CODES & BARCODES Read QR codes and barcodes — QR Code, EAN, UPC, ISBN, Aztec, PDF417 and Data Matrix. PRINT & SHARE Print to any AirPrint printer, or send files with AirDrop, email and your other favorite apps. REDACT, ANNOTATE & PROTECT Hide sensitive details with redaction, highlight and annotate pages, and lock private PDFs with a password. Terms of Use: https://smartscanner.tipai.tech/api/v1/terms-of-service.html Privacy Policy: https://smartscanner.tipai.tech/api/v1/privacy-policy.html

Screenshots

PDF Scan4 screens
Smart Scanner4 screens

Verdict

The call

PDF Scan and Smart Scanner both sit at 4.5 stars, but that hides the real split: 75% of PDF Scan's written reviews are positive against 0% of Smart Scanner's. PDF Scan also leads on ratings volume (44 vs 2) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). Smart Scanner's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, rating, in-app purchases and monetization model 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 Smart Scanner sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 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 4.5 for Smart Scanner. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PDF Scan has 44 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 75% of PDF Scan's written reviews are positive against 0% of Smart Scanner's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PDF Scan ships an update every 3 weeks, Smart Scanner every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
PDF Scan versus Smart Scanner: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPDF ScanSmart Scanner
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (44 ratings) — better4.5 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews75.0% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings44 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsYesNo — better
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 MB112 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGovarthani RajeshHung Duong

Customer experience

PDF Scan

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

Smart Scanner

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

PDF Scan

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

Smart Scanner

Subscriptions2
  • 1_MONTH_PRO$4.991 Month
  • 6_MONTHS_PRO$14.996 Months
One-time2
  • Smart Scanner Premium$5.99
  • OneTime_Payment$22.99

Questions

Is PDF Scan free?
PDF Scan is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Smart Scanner free?
Smart Scanner is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, PDF Scan or Smart Scanner?
PDF Scan is rated higher. PDF Scan averages 4.5 out of 5 from 44 ratings, while Smart Scanner averages 4.5 from 2 ratings.
Do PDF Scan or Smart Scanner have ads?
PDF Scan shows ads; Smart Scanner does not.
Which is updated more often, PDF Scan or Smart Scanner?
PDF Scan ships an update every 3 weeks, and Smart Scanner every 2 months. Most recently, PDF Scan was updated on October 24, 2026 and Smart Scanner on October 24, 2026.

Other comparisons