Comparison

PetScanner vs Petnow

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

Petnow

This app uses AI to create a unique digital ID for your pet using their nose print or face. It provides a secure and non-invasive way to register your pet, offering peace of mind in case they get lost. The service aims to help reunite lost pets with their owners faster and more easily.

Highlights
  • AI-powered pet identification
  • Unique nose print and face core registration
  • Supports both dogs and cats
  • Non-invasive and cost-free pet registry
  • Automatic scanning without button presses
  • Selfie mode for easy scanning (iPhone 14+)
  • 99% accuracy rate
Read full description

Scan & register your pet’s nose or face and get an extra layer of love & care in case they get lost. Face the camera to your pet, and AI will do the rest for you. Once registered, your pet’s profile is linked to your contact information. We provide a faster and easier solution to reunite with lost pets. Join us in creating a world without lost pets by registering your beloved pet. Frequently Asked Questions What is a dog’s 'Nose Print' & a cat’s 'Face Core'? As a human's fingerprint, a dog’s nose print and a cat’s face core are unique to each individual. Petnow’s proprietary AI automatically detects a dog’s nose print and a cat’s face core as biometrics. Why Petnow for a pet registry? No need to inject microchips at the vet. Just scan, and that’s it! Unlike collars and tags, Petnow’s pet ID is not detachable. Enjoy a non-invasive, cost-free pet registry at home with ease. All you need is a mobile phone. What can I do with my pet ID? Pet ID demonstrates your commitment as a lifetime companion for your pet. Proper identification using pet ID enables you to access better pet insurance and services at hotels and vets. Exclusive features of Petnow • The one and only app that identifies both dogs AND cats Our app now supports cat facial recognition. Don’t hesitate to register your beloved cats as well as dogs. • No need to press any buttons AI inside the app does all the job for you. It automatically tracks and scans your pet’s biometric information even when in motion. • Selfie Mode - Scan with a front-facing camera Hold your pet in your arms and face the camera as if you’re taking a selfie. The app will do the rest. (Only available via iPhone 14 or newer.) • Top-of-the-industry Accuracy Petnow boasts an accuracy rate of 99%. Our AI will become even more accurate as you register additional biometric information. * Petnow is the honoree of Best of Innovation at CES 2022. Want to know more about us? Website: www.petnow.io/en Instagram: www.instagram.com/petnow.global Youtube: www.youtube.com/@petnow.official Contact us! Email: customer.support@petnow.io

Screenshots

PetScanner4 screens
Petnow4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Petnow at 50% against PetScanner's 4%. Petnow also leads on rating (4.2 vs 1.2) and in-app purchases (none vs 11). PetScanner's advantage is ratings volume (51 vs 11). On price, update cadence, ads and device support 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 11 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 3 months. Petnow asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Petnow holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 1.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 51 and 11 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 4% of PetScanner's written reviews are positive against 50% of Petnow's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PetScanner ships an update every 10 days, Petnow every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on September 28, 2026 and June 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
PetScanner versus Petnow: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPetScannerPetnow
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.2 (51 ratings)4.2 (11 ratings) — better
Positive reviews3.5% of reviews50.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings51 — better11
Update frequencyEvery 10 daysEvery 9 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS18.017.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB97 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPetscannerPetnow Inc.

Customer experience

PetScanner

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

Petnow

All ratings11 ratings
Positive81.8%
Neutral0.0%
Negative18.2%
Written reviews10 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral10.0%
Negative40.0%

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

Petnow

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

11 purchases

PetScanner

Subscriptions11
  • Quarterly subscription, 1 pet$2.993 Months
  • Quarterly subscription, 2 pets$5.993 Months
  • Quarterly subscription, 3 pets$8.493 Months
Show 8 more
  • Quarterly subscription, 5 pets$12.493 Months
  • Quarterly subscription, 6 pets$14.493 Months
  • Quarterly subscription 12 pets$26.493 Months
  • Quarterly subscription 16 pets$32.993 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
None

Petnow

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is PetScanner free?
PetScanner is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Petnow free?
Petnow is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, PetScanner or Petnow?
Petnow is rated higher. PetScanner averages 1.2 out of 5 from 51 ratings, while Petnow averages 4.2 from 11 ratings.
Do PetScanner or Petnow have ads?
Neither PetScanner nor Petnow shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PetScanner or Petnow?
PetScanner ships an update every 10 days, and Petnow every 9 days. Most recently, PetScanner was updated on September 28, 2026 and Petnow on June 1, 2026.

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