Comparison

Total Reader vs PDF Scanner

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

Head to head
About

Total Reader

This app converts text files into natural-sounding speech, allowing users to listen to documents while following along with highlighted text. It supports a wide range of file formats and over 30 languages, with easy import options from cloud storage and computers.

Highlights
  • Reads documents aloud
  • Converts text to natural voice
  • Highlights spoken words
  • Supports PDF, Word, PowerPoint, RTF
  • Imports from cloud storage
  • Supports over 30 languages
Features
Read full description

Transform the way you consume text with Total Reader, your ultimate AI text to speech voice reader. Whether you want to listen to a work presentation hands-free, study complex documents, or enjoy your favorite EPUB on the go, our advanced speech synthesis engine converts written words into fluent, natural-sounding audio. Why choose Total Reader? Our advanced context-aware reader intelligently processes dates, numbers, and abbreviations, delivering a flawless, human-like narration experience that outperforms standard read-aloud tools. KEY FEATURES: • Advanced Speech Synthesis: Experience premium, expressive text-to-speech engines across 30+ languages for a smooth, fatigue-free listening experience. • Versatile Document Support: Import and read aloud PDFs, MS Word (.doc & .docx), Powerpoint presentations, RTF, and plain text files seamlessly. • Instant Web Reading: Save time by listening to articles, essays, and news directly from the web instead of straining your eyes. • Smart Document Scanner: Instantly digitize physical printed books, notes, or documents using the built-in OCR scanner to read them aloud. • Visual Reading Follow-Along: Boost your comprehension and focus with synchronized word-by-word visual highlighting as the audio plays. • Seamless Cloud Import: Easily fetch files directly from Apple Mail, Dropbox, Google Drive, or transfer them straight from your Mac or PC. • Custom Reading Environment: Personalize your app experience with beautiful, customizable themes optimized for both daytime and night reading. MULTILINGUAL SUPPORT: Total Reader reads documents flawlessly in over 30 languages and regional accents, including English (US, UK, Irish, Australian), Spanish (including Mexican), Portuguese (including Brazilian), Russian, German, French, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and many more. Streamline your daily routine and maximize your productivity. Download Total Reader today to experience the future of spoken audio content! https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

PDF Scanner

Features
Read full description

The honest scanner. Scan, search, and sign your documents on your iPhone or iPad. Nothing ever leaves the device. Most scanner apps hide useful tools behind weekly subscriptions and upload pages to servers. PrivaScan keeps scanning, naming, search, and PDF export on-device, with a clear Pro upgrade for longer files and document workflows. SCAN IN SECONDS Open the app and the camera is already up. Point it at any page — edges are found, perspective is fixed, and multi-page documents batch automatically. Import photos and PDFs you already have, too. IT NAMES AND FILES ITSELF On-device intelligence reads each scan and names it like a person would — “Verizon Bill — Jul 2026” — so your library organizes itself. No typing, no “Scan 47”. FIND ANY WORD IN ANY DOCUMENT Every scan becomes searchable text, on your phone. Search “late fee” and jump straight to the line in the lease where it appears — indexed on-device in a blink. INCLUDED WITH THE APP • Unlimited scanning and saving • Auto edge detection, crop, filters, rotate and reorder • Automatic naming and filing • Folders, favorites and full-text search • Face ID / passcode lock • Unchanged PDF exports up to 10 pages, with no watermarks • Print and save to Files through the system share sheet — all offline PRIVASCAN PRO • Export PDFs of any length • Sign documents: draw your signature once, stamp it on any page • Merge documents into a single PDF • iCloud sync across your devices — coming in 1.1 No weekly subscriptions. No monthly subscriptions. Ever. PRIVATE BY DESIGN No accounts. No servers. No analytics. No tracking SDKs. Our App Store privacy label reads “Data Not Collected” — because we can’t collect what never leaves your phone. Scanning, text recognition, naming and search all run on-device, and the whole app works in Airplane Mode. If weekly charges and cloud uploads have made scanner apps hard to trust, this one’s for you. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Total Reader4 screens
PDF Scanner4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: PDF Scanner at none against Total Reader's shown. PDF Scanner also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs every 2 months). Total Reader's advantage is iOS requirement (15 vs 17.0). On price, in-app purchases 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. Total Reader sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and PDF Scanner sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Total Reader ships an update every 2 months, PDF Scanner every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Total Reader versus PDF Scanner: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTotal ReaderPDF Scanner
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.8 (37 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews13.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings37 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size37 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperStorchCharnpreet Singh

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Total Reader

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Account for 1 month.$2.991 Month
  • Premium Account for 1 year.$19.991 Year
One-time1
  • Total Reader Premium Lifetime.$39.99
2 purchases

PDF Scanner

Subscriptions1
  • PrivaScan Pro Annual$9.991 Year
One-time1
  • PrivaScan Pro Lifetime$24.99

Questions

Is Total Reader free?
Total Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PDF Scanner free?
PDF Scanner is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Total Reader or PDF Scanner have ads?
Total Reader shows ads; PDF Scanner does not.
Which is updated more often, Total Reader or PDF Scanner?
Total Reader ships an update every 2 months, and PDF Scanner every 2 days. Most recently, Total Reader was updated on October 24, 2026 and PDF Scanner on October 16, 2026.

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