Comparison

PDF Reader vs DocScan

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

Head to head
About

PDF Reader

Edit, convert, and manage PDF documents on your mobile device. This app allows you to directly edit text, scan documents, fill out forms, and secure your files with passwords and watermarks. It also supports OCR to extract text from scans and convert PDFs to various formats.

Highlights
  • Edit PDF text directly
  • Convert PDF to Word, Excel, PPT, images
  • OCR for text extraction from scans
  • Fill and sign PDF forms
  • Secure PDFs with passwords and watermarks
  • Annotate PDFs with highlights and notes
  • Merge and split PDF files
Features
Read full description

KDAN PDF, formerly KDAN PDF Reader, is a mobile PDF editor and reader for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Edit text directly on your device. Then scan, organize, convert, sign, and share your PDFs in one simple and powerful app. Trusted by millions, KDAN PDF connects your workflow across iPhone, iPad, and Mac, making it easy to review, annotate, and finalize documents anywhere. Who Recommends Us? - Featured as “10 Essentials” in Utility on iTunes - Featured in “10 Best PDF Reader Apps For iPhone & iPad 2019” by FOSSBYTES - Featured as “Best Utility App” in App Store Rewind KEY FEATURES PDF EDITOR • Edit and correct any typos directly on PDFs • Merge multiple files into one PDF • Split a large PDF into several small PDFs • Rotate, delete, add, and rearrange pages • Extract pages or images from PDFs • Change PDF background color PDF CONVERTER • Online & Offline PDF converter • Convert PDF to Word, Excel, PPT & image conversions (docx, xlsx, pptx, jpg, png, gif & bmp). • Save webpages and images as PDFs OCR (Optical Character Recognition) • Recognize and extract text from scans • Export OCR results as text or searchable PDFs • Support 50+ languages SIGN, FORM FILLING, SHARE • Fill out & edit PDF forms • Sign on PDFs • Customize and manage signatures SHARE FILES • Get files from KDAN Cloud, iCloud Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive, Evernote, FTP, or WebDAV client • Compress PDFs • Share flatten PDFs • Send faxes directly from within the app PDF SECURITY • Add passwords to lock PDFs • Remove passwords & restrictions from PDFs • Add & remove PDF watermarks • Validate certificates & signatures in PDF documents VIEW FILES • Supports all mainstream file formats, including Vitrium* PDF format (Like University of Phoenix Ebooks) • Text Reflow & Auto Flow • Present a PDF as a slideshow • View multiple PDFs as tabs • Dark mode supported (only for iOS13 & macOS Mojave and later) • Convert text to spoken audio (text-to-speech) ANNOTATE & REVIEW PDF • Annotate PDFs with highlights, underlines, strikeout text, shapes, sticky notes & text boxes • Add pre-designed stamps, including Approved, Sign Here, Confidential, and more • Add custom stamps with time and date information • Insert hyperlinks to external websites, target pages, and email address • Attach audio notes & insert images to PDFs • Turn handwriting into text with Scribble (Available for iPad) • Add handwritten notes to PDFs MANAGE ANNOTATIONS • Save annotations in XFDF format • Remove all annotations in one tap - Recommended by Techradar, Techworm & Softsonic UPGRADE OPTIONS DOCUMENT 365 • Try for $0.00 for 7 days • Access KDAN PDF on Mac, iPhone, iPad, and other platforms. • Annual plan: billed at USD 59.99/year after the 7-day free trial ends • Quarterly plan: billed at USD 19.99/quarter after 3-day free trial ends • Monthly plan: billed at USD 9.99/month after 3-day free trial ends Subscriptions will be charged to your Apple account upon purchase and will auto-renew 24 hours before the current period ends at the same price and duration. Cancellation during the active period is not allowed. Manage your trial and subscription in your Apple account. Terms of service: https://pdf-reader.kdandoc.com/terms-of-service Privacy Policy: https://pdf-reader.kdandoc.com/privacy-policy Got a question? Contact us at helpdesk@kdanmobile.com or check out https://support.kdanmobile.com

About

DocScan

Transform your phone into a powerful document scanner. Quickly scan, edit, and convert documents to PDF with OCR capabilities. Manage and organize all your important files efficiently.

Highlights
  • Smart document scanning
  • Scan to PDF conversion
  • Multi-page document support
  • OCR text extraction
  • PDF editing tools
  • Form filling and signing
  • Secure document storage
Features
Read full description

Docscan – PDF Scans & Document Scanner is a powerful docscanner and camera scanner that helps you quickly scan document files, create PDF scans, and convert scan to PDF using your phone. This smart docscan app combines an advanced docu scan tool, PDF editor, OCR text scanner, and document manager to make scanning fast, simple, and efficient. Whether you need a reliable cam scanner, a high-quality camera scanner, or a full document scanning solution, Docscan lets you scan, edit, convert, and organize every document directly from your mobile device. Perfect for students, professionals, and everyday users who want a fast scan to PDF and document management app. Key Features of Docscan – PDF Scans & Docscanner Smart Document Scan Use your phone as a powerful camera scanner to scan document pages instantly. This intelligent docscanner automatically detects edges and enhances images for clean PDF scans. Scan to PDF Converter Easily scan to PDF and turn any document scan into high-quality digital files. Create professional PDF scans for reports, notes, receipts, or contracts. Multi-Page Document Scanner Combine multiple scan pages into one organized document PDF. This advanced docu scan tool makes it easy to store long documents. OCR Text Scanner Extract text from any scanned document using powerful OCR technology. Simply scan text from camera scanner and convert it into editable content. Powerful PDF Editor Edit your scanned document with built-in tools. Crop, rotate, highlight, annotate, or sign your PDF scans with the integrated document editor. Forms & Document Signing Fill out forms and sign scanned document files quickly. The app makes doc scan editing simple for contracts, forms, and agreements. Secure Document Storage Protect important PDF scans and document files with password security (Premium feature). Scan Receipts, IDs & Photos Use the camera scanner to scan receipts, ID cards, photos, and business documents quickly with clear results. Document Reader Open and view your PDF scans and document files inside the app using the built-in document reader. Extra Smart Tools Docscan also includes helpful tools like passport scanner, barcode scener, and advanced OCR reader for professional scanning tasks. Why Choose Docscan? • Powerful docscan and docscanner technology • Fast scan to PDF and high-quality PDF scans • Easy docu scan and document editing tools • Reliable cam scanner and camera scanner performance • Smart OCR for extracting text from any document scan • Complete scan, convert, and document management solution Docscan is designed to help you scan document files faster, create professional PDF scans, and manage documents efficiently. Ideal Use Cases Docscan helps you: • Scan documents for work or school • Convert notes using scan to PDF • Digitize receipts using the camera scanner • Create clean PDF scans of contracts or reports • Extract text using the OCR docscanner • Organize every important document in one place • Use your phone as a professional cam scanner Go Paperless with Docscan Turn your smartphone into a powerful docscan and camera scanner tool. With Docscan you can scan document pages, create PDF scans, convert scan to PDF, and edit any document instantly. This advanced docscanner and document app allows you to scan, edit, store, and share documents anywhere. From quick docu scan tasks to professional PDF document management, Docscan makes paperwork simple. Download Docscan – PDF Scans & Document Scanner today and experience the easiest way to scan document files, create PDF scans, and manage every document from your phone. Privacy Policy: https://sites.google.com/view/docpdf-privacy-policy/home Terms of Use: https://sites.google.com/view/scan-app-terms-and-condition

Screenshots

PDF Reader4 screens
DocScan4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: PDF Reader at none against DocScan's shown. PDF Reader also leads on review sentiment (81% vs 50%) and rating (4.5 vs 4.1). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model 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 Reader sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and DocScan sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

PDF Reader holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PDF Reader has 3.5K ratings behind it against 15, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 81% of PDF Reader's written reviews are positive against 50% of DocScan's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PDF Reader ships an update every 2 months, DocScan monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
PDF Reader versus DocScan: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPDF ReaderDocScan
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (3.5K ratings) — better4.1 (15 ratings)
Positive reviews80.8% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings3.5K — better15
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS13.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size190 MB76 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperKdan Mobile Software LTDxita apps

Customer experience

PDF Reader

All ratings3,542 ratings
Positive89.2%
Neutral2.7%
Negative8.2%
Written reviews2,196 reviews
Positive80.8%
Neutral4.8%
Negative14.4%

DocScan

All ratings15 ratings
Positive80.0%
Neutral6.7%
Negative13.3%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

Bugs and requests

PDF Reader

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Unable to open or access saved files
  • Syncing and backup issues
  • Compatibility problems with newer iOS versions

Requested features

4 requests
  • Improved file management and organization
  • Better integration with cloud storage services
  • More customization options
  • Enhanced accessibility features

DocScan

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

10 purchases

PDF Reader

Subscriptions9
  • KDAN Cloud$2.991 Month
  • Deluxe Business Pack$5.991 Month
  • Creativity 3653 Days trial$9.991 Month
Show 6 more
  • Document 365 (Month)3 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Deluxe PDF Pack for iPhone$12.993 Months
  • Creativity 365 - 3 Months3 Days trial$19.993 Months
  • Document 365 (Quarter)3 Days trial$19.993 Months
  • Deluxe PDF Pack for iPhone$39.991 Year
  • Document 3657 Days trial$59.991 Year
One-time1
  • Upgrade to Premium$2.99
2 purchases

DocScan

Subscriptions1
  • Premium Document Scanner$9.991 Year
One-time1
  • Remove All Ads$4.99

Questions

Is PDF Reader free?
PDF Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is DocScan free?
DocScan is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, PDF Reader or DocScan?
PDF Reader is rated higher. PDF Reader averages 4.5 out of 5 from 3.5K ratings, while DocScan averages 4.1 from 15 ratings.
Do PDF Reader or DocScan have ads?
DocScan shows ads; PDF Reader does not.
Which is updated more often, PDF Reader or DocScan?
PDF Reader ships an update every 2 months, and DocScan monthly. Most recently, PDF Reader was updated on October 17, 2026 and DocScan on September 30, 2026.

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