# PDF Scanner vs Pudding Scan

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Pudding Scan at 91% against PDF Scanner's 36%. Pudding Scan also leads on rating (4.9 vs 4.5) and ratings volume (210 vs 21). PDF Scanner's advantage is monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. PDF Scanner sells 14 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days and Pudding Scan sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Pudding Scan holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Pudding Scan has 210 ratings behind it against 21, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 36% of PDF Scanner's written reviews are positive against 91% of Pudding Scan's.

PDF Scanner ships an update monthly, Pudding Scan every 5 weeks. Both last shipped on October 14, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | PDF Scanner | Pudding Scan |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.5 (21 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-scanner-scan-pdf-document/id1502074325/reviews) | **[4.9 (210 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pudding-scan/id1626815079/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 21 | **210** |
| Positive reviews | 36.1% of reviews | **90.9% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Monthly** | Every 5 weeks |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Size | 179 MB | 146 MB |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 | **13** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Hangzhou boniu technology co. LTD](https://appshunter.io/developer/1444969487) | [广东天宸网络科技有限公司](https://appshunter.io/developer/1716282065) |

## What reviewers say

### PDF Scanner

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-scanner-scan-pdf-document/id1502074325)

This app transforms your mobile device into a powerful scanner, capturing documents, photos, and forms with high-definition clarity. It offers robust PDF editing tools, including conversion, watermarking, and merging, alongside advanced text and table recognition for seamless data extraction and translation.

**Highlights:** High-definition document scanning, OCR text and table recognition, PDF to Word and other format conversion, Add watermarks and merge PDFs, Multi-language photo translation, Automatic text capture

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

**In-app purchases (14)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| PDF Scanner Weekly VIP | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| PDF Scanner 3 months VIP | $19.99 | per 3 months |
| PDF Scanner Month VIP | $19.99 | per month |
| PDF Scanner Annual Member | $39.99 | per year |
| 30 T-card | $2.99 | one-time |
| 5 T-card | $3.99 | one-time |
| 50 T-card | $3.99 | one-time |
| 100 conversion cards | $4.99 | one-time |
| 全能扫描王高级会员 | $6.99 | one-time |
| PDF Scanner-500 Point Card | $19.99 | one-time |
| Permanent VIP | $39.99 | one-time |
| PDF Scanner-1000 point card | $49.99 | one-time |
| Permanent Member | $59.99 | one-time |
| 全能扫描王-5000积分卡 | $199.99 | one-time |


### Pudding Scan

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pudding-scan/id1626815079)

Transform paper documents into high-quality PDF files with a single tap. This ad-free scanner offers batch text extraction, translation, and automatic correction for various use cases, from students to teachers and personal learning.

**Highlights:** Scan paper documents to PDF, Batch image text extraction, Text translation, Automatic document correction, Accurate edge trimming, Multiple filter enhancements

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

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Auto-renewal monthly plan | $0.99 | per month |
| Auto-renewal monthly plan | $0.99 | per month |
| Monthly Subscription | $3.99 | per month |
| Monthly Subscription | $3.99 | per month |
| Annual Subscription | $9.99 | per year |
| Annual Subscription | $31.99 | per year |
| Annual Subscription | $31.99 | per year |
| 1-month membership | $1.99 | one-time |
| 布丁扫描会员(一年会员优惠) | $9.99 | one-time |
| 布丁扫描会员(一年会员) | $14.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime membership | $29.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- ✨ Clean and simple interface
- 🆓 Free to use
- 🚫 No annoying ads
- 💯 High-quality scans
- 🗂️ Powerful PDF conversion

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Transitioning to paid features
- 💸 High perceived cost for features
- 📉 Declining user experience with updates
- 🚶‍♂️ WeChat login redirect issue
- 🤏 Limited close-up focus

**Reported bugs**

- WeChat login redirects to phone login
- App crashes or shows black screen on iPhone 13 Pro Max with iOS 17.0
- App shows 'loading' and won't open after update
- App crashes on iOS 13.3.1
- Test paper erasure only allows selecting one image

**Requested features**

- Improve filter functionality
- Add finger removal feature
- Enhance auto-scan capabilities
- Improve PDF to image processing
- Add multiple document combinations for ID scanning


## Frequently asked questions

### Is PDF Scanner free?

PDF Scanner is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Pudding Scan free?

Pudding Scan is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, PDF Scanner or Pudding Scan?

Pudding Scan is rated higher. PDF Scanner averages 4.5 out of 5 from 21 ratings, while Pudding Scan averages 4.9 from 210 ratings.

### Do PDF Scanner or Pudding Scan have ads?

Neither PDF Scanner nor Pudding Scan shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, PDF Scanner or Pudding Scan?

PDF Scanner ships an update monthly, and Pudding Scan every 5 weeks. Most recently, PDF Scanner was updated on October 14, 2026 and Pudding Scan on October 14, 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.*