Comparison

LightPDF vs PDF Editor, Reader, Scanner

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

Head to head
About

LightPDF

This app offers a comprehensive suite of tools for managing PDF documents on your mobile device. It leverages AI to summarize, chat with, and convert PDFs, along with scanning capabilities, text extraction, and editing features. It also includes an ID photo maker and watermark removal.

Highlights
  • AI Chat with PDFs
  • Phone Scanner to PDF
  • PDF to Word/JPG/Excel Converter
  • OCR Text Extraction
  • PDF Editing and Annotation
  • ID Photo Maker
  • Watermark Removal
Features
Read full description

LightPDF, AI-powered, is a must-have PDF toolkit for your mobile device. You can use it to summarize and chat with PDFs and other documents, and quickly get the key information from the files! And it takes advantage of AI to help you easily scan paperwork to PDFs, extract texts and remove specific objects. It can be your PDF converter, editor, reader, on-the-go mobile scanner, cloud-based PDF storage, and ID photo maker. Try LightPDF to convert, OCR, scan, edit, read, annotate, comment, compress, and merge PDFs easily and quickly to get a high-quality result. And its sharing and collaborating feature can help you communicate smoothly with your colleagues on the same PDF document, and improve your teamwork productivity. What LightPDF can do: Smart AI Chat Assistant for PDFs - Ask questions to the chatbot about your file and it will answer you with cited sources - Quickly output results in markdown and table formats - Chat with PDFs, scans, Excel, Word, PPT, and ePub documents Intelligent Phone Scanner - Take photos of your papers, cards, books, and more to turn them into PDF format. Work as your pocket PDF scanner - Extract and copy texts from paper works - Remove handwriting from the test paper - Advanced filter features for better scanning result Powerful PDF Converter with OCR - Convert PDF to Word, JPG, PNG, Excel, PPT, and TXT, as well as turn Word, PPT, Excel, JPG, PNG, and CAD formats to PDF - Equipped with OCR technology to recognize and turn PDF scans and photos into docx, xlsx, pptx, pdf, and txt formats - Convert multiple documents at the same time and quickly get your work done Cloud-based PDF Editor & Reader - Edit, sign, and add images to a PDF file - Highlight, draw markups, and insert notes into PDF - Reduce PDF file size with a few touches - Combine multiple PDF documents into one - Read PDFs, add bookmarks, search and annotate - Print PDFs directly from your devices - Auto-sync PDFs in order to work with PDFs on the go. No more worry about losing data Handy ID Photo Maker - Create ID and passport photos with ease. It allows you to remove the background, change the background color, and produce a new photo with the selected size - Unblur the photo to enhance its quality and make it clear Image Watermark Removal - AI automatically recognizes and removes watermarks from images, eliminating the need for manual smudging like in Photoshop. It is particularly effective for large logos and full-screen watermarks, enhancing learning efficiency. New Way for Teamwork - Share files via links with your team and invite multiple people to view, edit, highlight, sign, and add comments on the same PDF at the same time - Set permissions to keep PDF security under control - Upload the file to the cloud, and access it on any device - Star files as favorites to quickly find and open them Subscriptions will be charged to your credit card through your iTunes account. Your subscription will automatically renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. After purchase, please manage your subscriptions in the App Store Account Settings. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you need any help or have suggestions on LightPDF, please feel free to contact us. We can't keep making progress without your voice. Email: support@lightpdf.com Customer Service Center: https://lightpdf.com/contact FAQ: https://lightpdf.com/faqs/lightpdf-editor-faq Privacy Policy:https://lightpdf.com/privacy Terms of Service:https://lightpdf.com/terms

About

PDF Editor, Reader, Scanner

Features
Read full description

Turn your phone into an all-powerful mobile office! PDF Editor, Reader, Scanner is the only app you need to digitize, edit, sign, print, and convert any document — instantly, right from your pocket. Drowning in paper receipts, IDs, and loose documents? High-Speed Scanner & OCR - Auto-detect and scan invoices, contracts, notes, and receipts with precision. - Specialized high-resolution scanning for Passports, ID Cards, and Driver's Licenses. - Extract text from any image instantly with advanced OCR technology. - Save scans as high-quality PDFs, ready for storage or sharing. Stuck with an uneditable PDF? Complete PDF Editing Suite - Add text, change fonts, and annotate directly on any document. - Use the freehand Brush to highlight, draw, or take free-form notes. - Compress PDF file size without sacrificing quality — perfect for sharing. - Advanced page management: reorder pages, merge multiple files, or split PDFs with ease. Urgent contract needs a signature — right now? E-Signature & Business Tools - Create smooth electronic signatures (E-Sign) and fill forms on the go. - Generate professional invoices in seconds — perfect for freelancers and small businesses. Need a physical copy but only have your phone? Direct Print — No Computer Needed - Print any PDF or document wirelessly from your phone in seconds. - Works with AirPrint (iOS) and any Wi-Fi enabled printer — home, office, or library. - Print single pages or entire multi-page documents with full layout control. - Set page size, orientation, and number of copies before you print — no surprises. File format not compatible? Universal Format Converter — 15+ Formats - Seamless two-way conversion: PDF ↔ Word (DOC), Excel (XLS), PowerPoint (PPT). - Convert images (JPG, IMG) and text files (TXT, HTML, MD) to PDF in seconds. - Read and convert e-books (EPUB) and more, including CBR/CBZ comic formats. Need to share files but worried about privacy? Reliable Document Security - Use the Hide tool to blackout or blur sensitive details — bank numbers, ID info — before sharing. - Add personalized Watermarks to prevent unauthorized copying. - All files processed with strict privacy measures. Zero data leaks. Smart File Management & Sharing - Import instantly from device storage, camera, or cloud. - Create unlimited folders to organize documents your way. - Share PDFs via Email, AirDrop, Messages, Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, and more. - Accidentally deleted something? Restore it from Trash anytime. PERFECT FOR AI-POWERED DOCUMENT WORK - Lawyers & contract reviewers - Students summarizing research - Accountants extracting invoice data - Freelancers rewriting proposals - Anyone managing sensitive or complex documents PERFECT FOR PRINTING - Contracts & legal documents - Invoices & receipts - Study notes & assignments - Certificates & ID copies - Meeting agendas & reports SUBSCRIPTION & PURCHASE INFORMATION - Unlock premium features with subscription: weekly, monthly and yearly. - Payment will be charged to your iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. - Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. - Account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. - You can manage or turn off auto-renew in your Apple ID Account Settings any time after purchase. Stop stressing over paperwork. Download the PDF Editor, Scanner, Converter app today and let us solve all your document problems effortlessly! Privacy Policy: https://tvgsoft.com/privacy-policy Terms of Service: https://tvgsoft.com/terms-of-service

Screenshots

LightPDF4 screens
PDF Editor, Reader, Scanner4 screens

Verdict

The call

LightPDF and PDF Editor, Reader, Scanner are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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. LightPDF sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $13.99 per 7 days and PDF Editor, Reader, Scanner sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

LightPDF ships an update every 2 weeks, PDF Editor, Reader, Scanner fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
LightPDF versus PDF Editor, Reader, Scanner: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLightPDFPDF Editor, Reader, Scanner
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (52 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews88.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings52 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterFortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS14.0 — better15.5
Further details — not scored
Size113 MB119 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperWangxu Technology Co., LtdTVGSOFT LIMITED

Bugs and requests

LightPDF

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • App requests more money after payment
  • Paid subscription not unlocking features
  • Trial period charged despite cancellation
  • Scans cut off PDF to 3 pages or under
  • Performance issues

Requested features

3 requests
  • iPad support
  • Edit text in the exact same font
  • More advanced editing features

PDF Editor, Reader, Scanner

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

12 purchases

LightPDF

Subscriptions5
  • LightPDF Weekly Subscription$13.997 Days
  • LightPDF Monthly Subscription2 variants$19.991 Month
  • LightPDF Yearly Subscription$47.991 Year
Show 2 more
  • LightPDF Annual Subscription$49.991 Year
  • LightPDF Yearly Subscription3 Days trial$59.991 Year
One-time7
  • iOS LightPDF - 1 Week$9.99
  • 買一年送一年$79.99
  • 1年購入で1年おまけ$84.99
Show 4 more
  • 2 zum Preis von 1$99.99
  • 3-Year Subscription$99.99
  • Mac LightPDF Lifetime Plan$109.99
  • Buy 3 yrs Get 3 yrs Free$149.99
3 purchases

PDF Editor, Reader, Scanner

Subscriptions3
  • Weekly - Unlimited Access$6.997 Days
  • Monthly - Unlimited Access3 Days trial$16.991 Month
  • Yearly - Unlimited Access$59.991 Year

Questions

Is LightPDF free?
LightPDF is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PDF Editor, Reader, Scanner free?
PDF Editor, Reader, Scanner is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do LightPDF or PDF Editor, Reader, Scanner have ads?
Neither LightPDF nor PDF Editor, Reader, Scanner shows ads.
Which is updated more often, LightPDF or PDF Editor, Reader, Scanner?
LightPDF ships an update every 2 weeks, and PDF Editor, Reader, Scanner fortnightly. Most recently, LightPDF was updated on October 11, 2026 and PDF Editor, Reader, Scanner on October 14, 2026.

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