Comparison

PetScanner vs Dog Scan

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

Head to head
About

PetScanner

This app facilitates pet microchip registration and identification for owners and professionals. It helps reunite lost pets quickly by scanning microchips and providing contact information for registered pets. It also guides users on next steps for unregistered or externally registered pets.

Highlights
  • Microchip registration
  • Contact detail updates
  • Smart microchip scanner pairing
  • FDX-B microchip reading
  • Lost pet reunification support
  • Database identification
Features
Read full description

PetScanner is built to support both pet keepers and professionals, including vets, rescues and local authorities, we combine registration and scanning in one system. This helps reduce delays in identifying pets and increases the likelihood of a safe and quick reunion. As a DEFRA-compliant microchip database, we allow keepers to securely register their pet’s microchip details for a small fee. Registration includes unlimited contact detail updates for life and optional subscription benefits giving you exclusive perks on top of your DEFRA registration. Alongside registration, the PetScanner app pairs with the PetScanner smart microchip scanner to provide fast and effective identification of microchipped animals. The scanner reads FDX-B (15-digit) microchips in dogs, cats and other animals, instantly displaying the unique microchip number within the app. Please note, a PetScanner smart microchip scanner is required to scan your pet – you cannot scan the microchip with your smartphone alone. When a pet is scanned, PetScanner guides you through the next steps based on the microchip’s registration status. If the microchip is registered with PetScanner, the keeper’s contact details will be displayed, making it easy to get in touch. If the microchip is registered with another database, PetScanner will identify the relevant database and provide the appropriate contact information. If no registration is found, the chip number is still shown, allowing the pet to be identified and registered if needed. EULA: https://www.petscanner.com/index.php/end-user-license-agreement Privacy Policy: https://www.petscanner.com/index.php/privacy-policy

About

Dog Scan

Instantly identify dog breeds by pointing your phone at a dog or by scanning photos from your gallery. This app utilizes advanced AI for real-time identification and works completely offline to protect your privacy. It also includes a fun attention-grabbing whistle feature for pet photos.

Highlights
  • Real-time breed identification
  • Scan photos from gallery
  • Offline functionality
  • AI-powered recognition
  • Attention whistle for pets
Features
Read full description

Have you ever wanted to find out the breed of a dog? Dog Scan allows you to identify a dog's breed by simply pointing your phone at a dog and tapping the scan button. -- Modern AI Dog Scan uses modern Artificial Intelligence models to identify dog breeds present in images in real time -- Attention Whistle Do you want your pet to look into the camera during photos? Just tap the whistle button and funny noises will capture your best friend's attention -- Works with photos Alongside real time scanning, Dog Scan allows you to pick any photo from your camera roll and scan for results -- No Internet Connection Required Dog Scan works 100% offline, using your device's computational power to identify dog breeds. Your photos are never sent to any server in respect to your data privacy. Dog Scan is now available for all iOS devices!

Screenshots

PetScanner4 screens
Dog Scan3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Dog Scan at 4.5 against PetScanner's 1.2. Dog Scan also leads on ratings volume (1.5K vs 51) and device support (4 vs 1). On price, review sentiment, update cadence 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. PetScanner sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 3 months and Dog Scan sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Dog Scan holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 1.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Dog Scan has 1.5K ratings behind it against 51, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 4% of PetScanner's written reviews are positive against 6% of Dog Scan's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PetScanner ships an update every 10 days, Dog Scan weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
PetScanner versus Dog Scan: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPetScannerDog Scan
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.2 (51 ratings)4.5 (1.5K ratings) — better
Positive reviews3.5% of reviews6.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings511.5K — better
Update frequencyEvery 10 daysWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS18.015.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB222 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPetscannerArthur Eduardo Skaetta Alvarez Desenvolvimento de Software LTDA.

Customer experience

PetScanner

All ratings51 ratings
Positive2.0%
Neutral2.0%
Negative96.1%
Written reviews57 reviews
Positive3.5%
Neutral3.5%
Negative93.0%

Dog Scan

All ratings1,453 ratings
Positive88.6%
Neutral2.5%
Negative8.9%
Written reviews31 reviews
Positive6.5%
Neutral6.5%
Negative87.1%

User reviews

PetScanner

From 51 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Massive improvement since update
  • 👍 Scanners can be used multiple times
  • 👍 Customer service from Kieran was helpful

Room to improve

  • 🐛 App keeps stopping working
  • 🐛 App keeps freezing
  • 🐛 Barcode scanner does not work
  • 🐛 Entering chip number manually closes app
  • 🐛 Cannot log into account

Dog Scan

From 1.5K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 💰 Lifetime purchase

Room to improve

  • ❌ Inaccurate breed identification
  • 💰 Paywall for additional scans
  • 🤖 Unreliable and inconsistent results
  • 🤷‍♀️ Unable to correct incorrect breed identifications

Bugs and requests

PetScanner

Reported bugs

78 issues
  • App keeps stopping/freezing
  • Barcode scanner not working
  • App closes when entering chip number manually
  • Login issues
  • Subscription automatically added
Show 73 more
  • App crashes during registration/launch/setup
  • Pet details not registering/adding
  • Spinning wheel when adding pet
  • Links to EULA/privacy policy broken
  • Pet not legally registered
  • Incorrect pet information displayed
  • Cannot correct incorrect information
  • App requires Bluetooth scanner
  • Cannot change pet photos
  • Incorrect breed information displayed
  • Registration requires street address
  • App requires additional hardware (scanner)
  • Payment taken but pet not added
  • Discount only via app
  • App may not work for all users
  • App harvests personal data
  • No scanning functionality
  • App tells you to buy scanner after registration
  • App requires too much personal info
  • App is not a scanner
  • App requires attachment/external scanner
  • App doesn't use phone's hardware for scanning
  • Pictures uploaded sideways
  • Cannot delete or upload photos
  • Constantly crashing
  • Needs serious update
  • App is not a scanner
  • Requires separate Bluetooth device
  • Search radius measurement is off
  • App kept crashing when trying to search
  • Have to buy something
  • Not worth it
  • Couldn't get app to pair with scanner
  • Subscription not showing
  • Have to buy scanner to scan
  • False advertising
  • Deceptive description
  • Useless
  • Total junk
  • Force closes
  • Immediate crash
  • Only allows Google registration via Safari
  • App wouldn't open after registration
  • Terrible app and website
  • Incorrect pet details recorded
  • No colors for Tabby cats
  • Date of birth changes to 1970
  • Pay individually for each microchip
  • Poor performance
  • Misleading name
  • Waste of time
  • Requires you to buy their gear
  • Garbage app
  • Too much personal info required
  • Worthless
  • Not a scanner app at all
  • Stealing from legit microchip companies
  • Wannabe company with no purpose
  • Total fraud
  • Absolute garbage
  • Doesn't do anything
  • Doesn't allow free scanning
  • Terrible app
  • Barely functional
  • Security risk?
  • Dodgy
  • So bad
  • Not a scanner
  • Requires 9.99 scanner
  • Junk
  • Bs app
  • Needs your address
  • Misleading name

Requested features

16 requests
  • Add dark mode option
  • Improve scanning functionality
  • Allow manual entry of chip number without crashing
  • Fix website login issues
  • Provide clear information about scanner requirement upfront
Show 11 more
  • Allow deletion of personal details
  • Add more pet colors and breed options
  • Allow registration of multiple microchips in one payment
  • Improve search radius accuracy
  • Allow users to correct incorrect pet information
  • Make subscription removal easier
  • Fix issues with address validation for rural areas
  • Allow users to update photos and share missing pet information
  • Enable direct phone hardware scanning
  • Offer a discount for multiple pets when paying via app
  • Provide a warning on the app if it may not work for all users

Dog Scan

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Camera issues when trying to take photos
  • Inability to scan more than one photo without paying

Requested features

2 requests
  • Allow users to correct breed identifications
  • Improve accuracy of breed identification

In-app purchases

10 purchases

PetScanner

Subscriptions10
  • Quarterly subscription, 1 pet$2.993 Months
  • Quarterly subscription, 2 pets$5.993 Months
  • Quarterly subscription, 3 pets$8.493 Months
Show 7 more
  • Quarterly subscription, 5 pets$12.493 Months
  • Quarterly subscription, 6 pets$14.493 Months
  • Quarterly subscription 12 pets$26.493 Months
  • Quarterly subscription 17 pets$33.993 Months
  • Quarterly subscription 18 pets$34.993 Months
  • Quarterly subscription 19 pets$35.993 Months
  • Quarterly subscription 20 pets$36.993 Months
1 purchases

Dog Scan

One-time1
  • Dog Scanner Premium$2.99

Questions

Is PetScanner free?
PetScanner is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Dog Scan free?
Dog Scan is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, PetScanner or Dog Scan?
Dog Scan is rated higher. PetScanner averages 1.2 out of 5 from 51 ratings, while Dog Scan averages 4.5 from 1.5K ratings.
Do PetScanner or Dog Scan have ads?
Neither PetScanner nor Dog Scan shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PetScanner or Dog Scan?
PetScanner ships an update every 10 days, and Dog Scan weekly. Most recently, PetScanner was updated on November 2, 2026 and Dog Scan on November 3, 2026.

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