Comparison

PDF Hero vs uScan

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

Head to head
About

PDF Hero

Edit, create, and manage PDF documents on your mobile device. Annotate, fill forms, sign, and share files with ease. Offers advanced features like OCR and compression for enhanced document control.

Highlights
  • Create PDFs from scratch
  • Edit text and annotate documents
  • Fill and sign PDF forms
  • Convert images/documents to PDF
  • OCR for editable text
  • Compress and merge PDFs
  • Password-protect sensitive data
Features
Read full description

Looking for a convenient and easy-to-use PDF editor? View and edit PDF files on the go with PDF Hero! The app works on iPhone and iPad. PDF Hero helps you take control of your papers and run your business in the ever-changing digital world. Create and read PDFs, then annotate, edit, fill and sign forms, or share files. Manage paperwork hassle-free from anywhere – the office, remotely, or from home. There’s no need for printed copies when you can access and edit the docs you need, on the go – all in an app. Stay one step ahead when it comes to document management. CREATE & VIEW - Create PDFs from scratch. - Open and view any PDF file. - Zoom in and out while reading. - Search to find the necessary information using text search. - Read PDFs easier with Read Mode by creating bookmarks and navigating conveniently. EDIT & ANNOTATE - Edit text in your PDF files, fix typos, and correct paragraphs. - Add comments and annotations using text notes. - Write on PDFs with your finger or stylus. - Fill PDF forms. - Highlight key ideas and add shapes. - Insert images, crop, resize, or change the angle if necessary. MANAGE & STORE - Import files from your device or online storage services like iCloud and Dropbox. - Delete pages from a multi-page PDF document. - Share PDF files with or without annotations for further reading and commenting. - Print files right from your device. Level up with Premium features! PRO EDITING - Convert images and documents to PDF files. - Sign docs right on the screen of your device. - Add stamps to PDF documents. - Transform PDF files into editable text with OCR (Optical Character Recognition) technology. PRO MANAGEMENT - Compress PDFs and share them as ZIP files. - Manage PDF pages: add pages, rotate, and reorder them. - Share selected pages of a multi-page PDF file. - Merge two or more PDF pages into a single document. - Password-protect sensitive data. *To digitize printed copies and transform them into editable PDF scans, try our Scan Hero app! Subscription payments will be charged to your App Store account at confirmation of your purchase. Subscriptions will automatically renew and you will be charged unless auto-renew is turned off or unless you cancel at least 24 hours prior to the end of the current subscription or trial period. Any unused portion of a free trial period will be forfeited when you purchase a premium subscription during the free trial period. The cost of renewal depends on the Subscription Plan you choose. Subscriptions and auto-renewal may be managed by going to Account Settings after purchase or by contacting Customer Support. Privacy Policy: https://support.bendingspoons.com/privacy.html?app=1512973255 Terms of Service: https://support.bendingspoons.com/tos.html?app=1512973255 Got questions or suggestions? Please don’t hesitate to email us at pdfhero@bendingspoons.com

About

uScan

Transform your phone into a portable scanner to digitize documents, receipts, and notes. Edit scanned files, extract text with OCR, and add electronic signatures. Create high-quality PDF or DOC files for easy sharing and management.

Highlights
  • Scan and edit any document
  • Convert image to editable text (OCR)
  • Add electronic signatures
  • High-quality PDF/DOC output
  • Multi-page scanning
  • File management with folders
Features
Read full description

uScan is a fast scanner app that will turn your phone into a portable scanner that fits in your pocket! Go paperless with our fast PDF scanner – keep high-quality documents handy. Become more productive with our powerful free scanner app: 1. SCAN & EDIT ANY DOCUMENT Scan anything you need, including receipts, contracts, paper notes, fax papers and books. Save, and share any document in just a few taps as multipage PDF or JPEG files. A must-have for accountants, realtors, managers, small business owners, lawyers or students. 2. CONVERT IMAGE INTO EDITABLE TEXT Extract text from any scanned page or image, edit it, and save as a new text document. Our highly accurate OCR scanner recognizes all popular languages. 3. SIGN DOCUMENTS IN JUST ONE TAP Add an electronic signature to your contracts, invoices or bills and send them to business partners, colleagues, or clients on the go. 4. GET HIGH-QUALITY PDF or DOC files Our advanced scanning technology removes shadows, corrects perspective and distortion. Scan anything and get a professional looking PDF or DOC file. Keep the entire office in your pocket and increase your productivity at work, use scanner pro features to manage all your paperwork with ease. Additional features: - Smart image editor - Variety of filters B&W, grayscale or color - Easy sharing options - Multi Page scanning - Automatic shutter and border detection for any scannable object - File manager with folders and drag & drop - Built-in storage - Offline mode PRO scanner features: - Unlimited number of scans and folders - Text Recognition (OCR) - Signature Information about auto-renewal of subscription: - Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. - Subscriptions can be managed by the user and auto-renewal can be turned off by going to the user’s Account Settings after purchase. - Any unused portion of the free trial period will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription. - Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. - An account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. The amount charged will depend on the selected plan. Privacy Policy: https://lopofist.limited/scanner/privacy.html Terms Of Service: https://lopofist.limited/scanner/tos.html Subscription Terms: https://lopofist.limited/scanner/subscription.html

Screenshots

PDF Hero4 screens
uScan4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: PDF Hero at none against uScan's shown. uScan's advantage is review sentiment (47% vs 18%). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence 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. PDF Hero sells 20 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days and uScan sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for PDF Hero against 4.6 for uScan. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 10K and 15K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 18% of PDF Hero's written reviews are positive against 47% of uScan's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on October 25, 2026.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
PDF Hero versus uScan: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPDF HerouScan
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (10K ratings)4.6 (15K ratings) — better
Positive reviews17.8% of reviews47.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings10K15K — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 3 weeks
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS14.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size536 MB179 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMosaic S.r.l.Lopofist Limited

Customer experience

PDF Hero

All ratings10,328 ratings
Positive90.4%
Neutral2.4%
Negative7.1%
Written reviews247 reviews
Positive17.8%
Neutral5.3%
Negative76.9%

uScan

All ratings15,107 ratings
Positive90.3%
Neutral2.9%
Negative6.8%
Written reviews565 reviews
Positive47.1%
Neutral2.8%
Negative50.1%

User reviews

PDF Hero

From 10K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 💡 Useful PDF editing features
  • 🚀 Easy to use
  • 👍 Signature functionality

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and malfunctions
  • 🐛 Inconsistent behavior and glitches
  • 🔋 High subscription cost
  • 🔒 Difficult to cancel subscription
  • 👎 Poor text editing capabilities

uScan

From 15K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 🚀 Fast and convenient
  • 💡 Helpful for work and personal needs
  • 👍 User-friendly interface
  • 🚀 Efficient scanning

Room to improve

  • 💰 Expensive subscription fees
  • 🐛 Inconsistent scanning quality
  • 🐛 Crashes and freezes
  • 💰 Hidden/unclear pricing
  • 🐛 Difficulty cancelling subscription

Bugs and requests

PDF Hero

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Text disappearing or jumping around during editing
  • Inability to save or transfer edited documents
  • App crashing or freezing during use
  • Incorrect rendering of PDF content

Requested features

4 requests
  • Improved text editing and manipulation
  • Better file management and organization
  • Seamless integration with other apps
  • Clearer subscription and cancellation policies

uScan

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Scans not properly aligned or cropped
  • App shuts down when scanning large documents
  • Inconsistent performance across devices

Requested features

4 requests
  • Integration with cloud storage services
  • Ability to label/organize scanned documents
  • Handwriting recognition
  • Option to use app without subscription

In-app purchases

20 purchases

PDF Hero

Subscriptions20
  • Weekly Premium with Free Trial7 Days trial$2.997 Days
  • Weekly Premium$2.997 Days
  • Weekly with free trial7 Days trial$3.997 Days
Show 17 more
  • Weekly Subscription$3.997 Days
  • Weekly Premium$5.997 Days
  • Weekly Premium with Free Trial7 Days trial$5.997 Days
  • Weekly Sub with Free Trial7 Days trial$7.997 Days
  • Weekly Subscription$7.997 Days
  • PDF Hero Premium 1 Month$9.991 Month
  • PDF Hero Premium 1 Month3 Days trial$10.991 Month
  • PDF Hero Premium 1 Month3 Days trial2 variants$11.991 Month
  • Convert & Merge PDF Documents3 Days trial$14.991 Month
  • PDF Hero Premium 3 Months3 Days trial$19.993 Months
  • PDF Hero Premium 1 Year3 Days trial$34.991 Year
  • Yearly with Free Trial7 Days trial$69.991 Year
  • Yearly Subscription$69.991 Year
  • PDF Hero Premium 1 Year3 Days trial$89.991 Year
  • Yearly Bundle$99.991 Year
  • Yearly Bundle with Free Trial7 Days trial$99.991 Year
  • PDF Hero Premium 1 Year3 Days trial$99.991 Year
10 purchases

uScan

Subscriptions9
  • Unlimited access$3.997 Days
  • Unlimited access7 Days trial$6.997 Days
  • Unlimited access3 Days trial$6.997 Days
Show 6 more
  • Unlimited access + PDF editor$6.997 Days
  • Unlimited access + PDF editor$7.997 Days
  • Unlimited access$9.991 Month
  • Unlimited access7 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Unlimited access7 Days trial$39.991 Year
  • Unlimited access7 Days trial$59.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Access$59.99

Questions

Is PDF Hero free?
PDF Hero is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is uScan free?
uScan is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, PDF Hero or uScan?
uScan is rated higher. PDF Hero averages 4.6 out of 5 from 10K ratings, while uScan averages 4.6 from 15K ratings.
Do PDF Hero or uScan have ads?
uScan shows ads; PDF Hero does not.
Which is updated more often, PDF Hero or uScan?
PDF Hero ships an update every 3 weeks, and uScan every 3 weeks. Most recently, PDF Hero was updated on October 25, 2026 and uScan on October 25, 2026.

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