# Total Reader vs PDF Scanner

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.

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Total Reader | PDF Scanner |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.8 (37 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/total-reader-text-to-speech/id1471506439/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **37** | — |
| Positive reviews | 13.3% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 2 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 37 MB | 6 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Storch](https://appshunter.io/developer/335855086) | [Charnpreet Singh](https://appshunter.io/developer/1526251691) |

## What reviewers say

### Total Reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/total-reader-text-to-speech/id1471506439)

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:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Account for 1 month. | $2.99 | per month |
| Premium Account for 1 year. | $19.99 | per year |
| Total Reader Premium Lifetime. | $39.99 | one-time |


### PDF Scanner

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-scanner-privascan/id6796255063)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| PrivaScan Pro Annual | $9.99 | per year |
| PrivaScan Pro Lifetime | $24.99 | one-time |


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