# PDF Scan vs Smart Scanner

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.

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.

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.

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

## The numbers

| Metric | PDF Scan | Smart Scanner |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.5 (44 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-scan-max-scanner/id1438590887/reviews)** | [4.5 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smart-scanner-ocr-text-and-pdf/id1523034468/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **44** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | **75.0% of reviews** | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 116 MB | 112 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Govarthani Rajesh](https://appshunter.io/developer/1225032526) | [Hung Duong](https://appshunter.io/developer/1523034470) |

## What reviewers say

### PDF Scan

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-scan-max-scanner/id1438590887)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlimited Scans Monthly | $5.99 | per month |
| Unlimited Scans Yearly | $60.99 | per year |


### Smart Scanner

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smart-scanner-ocr-text-and-pdf/id1523034468)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1_MONTH_PRO | $4.99 | per month |
| 6_MONTHS_PRO | $14.99 | per 6 months |
| Smart Scanner Premium | $5.99 | one-time |
| OneTime_Payment | $22.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked 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.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*