Comparison

Photo Reader vs Background Eraser

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

Head to head
About

Photo Reader

Extract text from any photo or image with this tool. Select an image or take a picture of a document, and the app will quickly present the text for copying or sharing via message or email. It integrates seamlessly with Photos Editing and the Share Menu for convenient access.

Highlights
  • Extract text from photos
  • Copy extracted text
  • Share text via message/email
  • Photos Editing Extension
  • Share Menu integration
  • Supports multiple languages
Features
Read full description

With Photo Reader, you can extract text from any photo or image. Using the app, you select a photo or make a photo of a text document and then the app will very quickly present you the text found in the photo. You can then copy the text to use it somewhere else or you can send the text in a text message or email. On iPad, you can drag and drop image files from Files to Photo Reader. You can select any photo from the Photos Library or any photo on disk. You can also use Photo Reader in combination with Photos Editing, because a Photos Editing Extension is included. Also, Photo Reader is included in the Share Menu, because a Share extension is included. The provided extensions are very useful, because in many cases you don't even have to launch the app. Just select the Photo Reader extension after tapping the Share icon in your favourite app. Photos Editing Extension You can use Photo Reader while in Photos, for example. Tap on a photo, then tap Edit in the upper right. Now tap on the ellipsis (...) button to call on Photo Reader. The text found will be presented in a new screen. Share Extension Or you can use Photo Reader at any time where you are looking at an image and your favourite app allows to 'share' the image. Most languages are supported : English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, Russian and Arab.

About

Background Eraser

Effortlessly remove and replace photo backgrounds using advanced AI. Easily adjust foreground images and share your creations directly.

Highlights
  • AI background removal
  • Replace with new backgrounds
  • Use photos or colors
  • Move, scale, and rotate foreground
  • Save and share creations
Features
Read full description

Remove the background from any photo in one tap, then make it transparent, white, any color or a whole new scene. Background Eraser uses on-device AI to find the subject — people, pets, products, plants — and lift it cleanly off the background. No masking, no brushes, no upload. REMOVE THE BACKGROUND • Automatic AI background removal, no marking needed • Transparent background: save a clear PNG for logos, product shots, slides and collages CHANGE THE BACKGROUND • White or solid color: pick a quick color or any shade from the full color picker • New photo background: choose a picture from your library or take one with the camera • Add up to 4 more cutouts to build a collage • Drag, pinch and rotate each cutout into place, double-tap to reset SAVE AND SHARE • Save to Photos, copy to the clipboard or share in one tap GREAT FOR • Product photos for online stores and marketplaces • Profile pictures and portraits on a clean background • Collages, school projects, posters and memes PRIVATE BY DESIGN All AI runs on your iPhone. Your photos are never uploaded, and there is no account to create.

Screenshots

Photo Reader4 screens
Background Eraser4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Photo Reader at 100% against Background Eraser's 0%. Photo Reader also leads on device support (4 vs 1) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). Background Eraser's advantage is price (Free vs $3.99). On 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

Background Eraser is free to download; Photo Reader costs $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Photo Reader ships an update monthly, Background Eraser every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 27, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Photo Reader versus Background Eraser: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPhoto ReaderBackground Eraser
Price$3.99Free — better
Rating—4.4 (13 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—13 — better
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone
Requires iOS13.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB86 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAlco BlomYajing Qian

Customer experience

Photo Reader

Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Background Eraser

All ratings13 ratings
Positive84.6%
Neutral7.7%
Negative7.7%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

None

Photo Reader

No in-app purchases

None

Background Eraser

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Photo Reader free?
Photo Reader costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Background Eraser free?
Background Eraser is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Photo Reader or Background Eraser have ads?
Neither Photo Reader nor Background Eraser shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Photo Reader or Background Eraser?
Photo Reader ships an update monthly, and Background Eraser every 2 months. Most recently, Photo Reader was updated on October 27, 2026 and Background Eraser on October 27, 2026.

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