Comparison

Smallpdf vs PDF Scanner & Simple Reader

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

Head to head
About

Smallpdf

This app offers a comprehensive suite of tools to manage PDF documents. Easily convert, edit, compress, sign, merge, and scan PDFs using your mobile device. It also features OCR technology to convert scanned documents into editable text.

Highlights
  • Convert PDFs to Word, Excel, PPT, JPG, PNG
  • Edit PDFs with text, images, and annotations
  • Compress PDFs to reduce file size
  • Sign PDFs electronically
  • Merge multiple PDF files
  • Scan documents to PDF with OCR
  • Fill out PDF forms
Features
Read full description

Smallpdf: All-In-One PDF Editor and Document Organizer Smallpdf is your go-to PDF tool, designed to simplify your document management. Whether you need to convert, compress, edit, sign, merge, or scan PDFs, our app makes it effortless. Trusted by 2.4 billion people since 2013, Smallpdf offers a seamless PDF experience right at your fingertips. Key Features: Convert PDFs Across All Document Formats Easily: PDF to Word doc PDF to Excel PDF to PPT PDF to JPG PDF to PNG Images to PDF and vice versa! Edit PDFs: Add text, images, and shapes directly in your PDF files Add annotations and highlights easily Rotate, delete, and rearrange PDF pages PDF editing tools Compress PDFs: Reduce the file size of your PDFs without compromising quality Optimize PDFs for sharing and saving storage space Shrink PDF files Compress PDF documents Sign PDFs: Add an e-signature to your documents Digitally sign PDFs securely Electronic signatures for PDFs Merge PDFs: Combine multiple PDF files into one Merge PDF documents Scan Documents to PDF: Use your camera to scan documents, receipts, notes, and more into PDFs Enhance scans with automatic cropping and optimization Convert scanned images to selectable text with OCR Scan image to PDF Scan doc to PDF Scan jpg to PDF Scan receipts to PDF OCR Technology: Convert scanned documents into selectable text with our advanced OCR feature Support for multiple languages OCR PDF converter Why Choose Smallpdf? User-Friendly Interface: Intuitive and easy to navigate, making PDF tasks simpler than ever. Cloud Integration: Access and save your files directly from your local device storage. Privacy and data protection: All uploaded files deleted 1 hour after processing (unless saved locally or to the cloud) Cross-Platform Availability: All major operating systems. Work on your PDFs anytime, anywhere. Fast and Reliable: Quick processing times ensure you can get your work done efficiently. High Security: We prioritize your privacy and data security, complying with GDPR standards. Additional Features: PDF Reader: View and read PDF documents with ease. PDF Scanner: Quickly scan and digitize your paper documents. PDF Filler: Fill out PDF forms and documents electronically. PDF Maker: Create PDFs from various file formats effortlessly. PDF Annotator: Highlight, underline, and strikethrough text in your PDFs. Download Smallpdf Now! Smallpdf is free within a daily task limit. If you would like to try out Smallpdf Pro for unlimited conversions across ALL tools, there’s a free 7-day trial available. The Smallpdf Mobile App is the all-in-one solution for all your document management needs. Simplify your tax return or scan in receipts easily using your camera to save, edit, and manage thousands of documents in all formats. Save backups on the drive or share directly to email to manage your documents on the go! Join 2.4B+ satisfied users and simplify your PDF tasks today. Download Smallpdf and enjoy a free trial of all premium features. Privacy policy: https://smallpdf.com/privacy Terms of use: https://smallpdf.com/support We love feedback, so feel free to send yours to support@smallpdf.com.

About

PDF Scanner & Simple Reader

Transform paper documents into searchable PDFs using your device's camera. Read, bookmark, and organize your scanned files offline with a simple, intuitive interface. Offers tools for page extraction and merging for efficient document management.

Highlights
  • Document scanning to PDF
  • Simple PDF reader with zoom
  • Continue reading from last page
  • Bookmark important pages
  • Offline PDF access
  • Extract and merge PDF pages
Features
Read full description

PDF Scanner & Simple Reader helps you scan paper documents into PDF, then read, bookmark, and keep them offline on your device. Use your camera to save receipts, handwritten notes, contracts, study papers, manuals, certificates, and everyday documents as PDFs. Open scanned files right away, return to them from recent files, and continue reading without a complicated editor. KEY FEATURES Document Scan to PDF • Scan paper documents with your camera • Save receipts, notes, contracts, and study material as PDF • Create multi-page PDFs from scanned images • Open the scanned PDF immediately after saving Simple PDF Reader • Fast PDF opening for everyday documents • Smooth vertical scrolling and pinch-to-zoom • Page-by-page navigation • Clean reading screen with a floating toolbar Continue Reading & Bookmarks • Keep recently opened PDFs in one place • Continue from the last page you read • Bookmark important pages • Jump back to saved pages quickly Offline & Private • Read PDFs offline • Files are stored locally on your device • Open password-protected PDF files • No account required for basic reading PDF Tools • Extract selected pages into a new PDF • Merge PDF files • Save only the pages you need • Use scan, export, and merge as part of your document workflow PRO BUNDLE Upgrade to Pro for more room to work: • Unlimited document scanning • Unlimited PDF export • Unlimited PDF merge • Clean ad-free reading PERFECT FOR Students • Scan handouts, notes, textbooks, and study papers • Read saved PDFs offline • Bookmark important pages for review Work & Business • Scan contracts, receipts, reports, and forms • Keep documents easy to reopen • Extract or merge pages when needed Everyday Documents • Save receipts, certificates, manuals, and letters • Turn paper documents into PDFs you can read later • Keep a simple local document library WHY SIMPLE READER? • Scan first: turn paper documents into PDF • Read right away: open scanned PDFs instantly • Simple: no complicated menus • Offline: keep files on your device • Accessible: clean reading UI • Flexible: scan, read, bookmark, extract, and merge PDFs Download PDF Scanner & Simple Reader and start turning paper documents into readable PDFs. FEEDBACK & SUPPORT Send us your feedback through the in-app feature. Your input helps us improve the reading and scanning experience. PRIVACY PROTECTION PDF files are stored only on your device. No PDF content is sent to external servers. TERMS & POLICIES • Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ • Privacy Policy: https://general-beaufort-538.notion.site/Pdf-2853c0f6ead280999815c6b541866c07

Screenshots

Smallpdf4 screens
PDF Scanner & Simple Reader4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Smallpdf at 68% against PDF Scanner & Simple Reader's 0%. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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. Smallpdf sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month and PDF Scanner & Simple Reader sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Smallpdf ships an update every 2 weeks, PDF Scanner & Simple Reader weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Smallpdf versus PDF Scanner & Simple Reader: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSmallpdfPDF Scanner & Simple Reader
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (6.9K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews67.7% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings6.9K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.615.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size112 MB64 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSmallpdfKunWoo Kwon

Customer experience

Smallpdf

All ratings6,891 ratings
Positive96.1%
Neutral0.9%
Negative3.0%
Written reviews901 reviews
Positive67.7%
Neutral2.7%
Negative29.6%

PDF Scanner & Simple Reader

Written reviews2 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

Bugs and requests

Smallpdf

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Files not saving properly
  • Conversion issues with larger documents
  • Unexpected crashes and freezes
  • Compatibility problems with older devices
  • Incorrect file content after compression

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add more color options for annotations
  • Improve search functionality for saved documents
  • Enhance iPad compatibility
  • Allow inserting images into PDFs
  • Provide better file management and organization

PDF Scanner & Simple Reader

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

8 purchases

Smallpdf

Subscriptions8
  • Monthly Plan7 Days trial2 variants$7.991 Month
  • Monthly Plan7 Days trial2 variants$11.991 Month
  • Monthly Plan7 Days trial$14.991 Month
Show 5 more
  • Yearly Plan7 Days trial2 variants$49.991 Year
  • Yearly Plan7 Days trial$59.991 Year
  • Yearly Plan$107.991 Year
  • Yearly Plan7 Days trial$107.991 Year
  • Yearly Plan7 Days trial$119.991 Year
2 purchases

PDF Scanner & Simple Reader

Subscriptions1
  • remove ads (one month)$0.991 Month
One-time1
  • remove ads (life time)$4.99

Questions

Is Smallpdf free?
Smallpdf is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PDF Scanner & Simple Reader free?
PDF Scanner & Simple Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Smallpdf or PDF Scanner & Simple Reader have ads?
Neither Smallpdf nor PDF Scanner & Simple Reader shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Smallpdf or PDF Scanner & Simple Reader?
Smallpdf ships an update every 2 weeks, and PDF Scanner & Simple Reader weekly. Most recently, Smallpdf was updated on October 20, 2026 and PDF Scanner & Simple Reader on October 14, 2026.

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