Comparison

PDF Reader vs Aspose.PDF

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

Aspose.PDF

This application provides a comprehensive suite of tools for managing PDF files, including conversion, editing, optimization, and security features. It allows users to compress, merge, split, rotate, and protect PDFs, as well as convert them to and from various formats like Word, Excel, and images. The app also offers OCR capabilities and a PDF viewer.

Highlights
  • Compress PDF files
  • Merge and split PDFs
  • Convert PDF to Word, Excel, PPT, and images
  • Protect PDFs with passwords
  • Add watermarks and signatures
  • Scan documents to PDF
  • OCR for searchable PDFs
Features
Read full description

Aspose.PDF is a completely free, powerful, and easy-to-use PDF editor that puts every PDF tool you need in one place. Edit PDF, convert PDF to Word, scan documents, sign PDFs, compress, merge, split, and secure files — all from a clean, intuitive interface. Note: An active internet connection is required, as the app works with Aspose.PDF Cloud. Works on any device Secure – no data shared Powered by Aspose.PDF Cloud Key Features Edit & Annotate PDFs Draw on PDF using your finger or stylus Add images from gallery or camera Add watermark or crop pages Remove Watermark from PDFs (New) Change Fonts in your PDF (New) Remove comments and clean up annotations in seconds Convert PDFs PDF to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Text PDF to SVG (New) Webpage to PDF (New) PDF page to image and image to PDF Images to PDF (JPG, PNG, BMP) Manage PDF Pages Split and merge PDF files Reorder, rotate, and delete pages Add customizable page numbers Secure PDFs Password-protect or unlock PDFs in one tap Repair & Optimize Repair PDF: fix damaged or corrupted files (New) Compress PDF to reduce file size Resize PDF while maintaining quality Archive mode for long-term storage Scan & OCR Scan to PDF using camera or gallery OCR PDF to make scanned documents searchable Extract & Compare PDF to Text: pull clean text for easy reuse Compare PDFs to spot differences instantly Sign & Organize Sign PDF with handwritten signatures Edit metadata to view or update document info Why Choose Aspose.PDF? Lightweight – runs smoothly on low-end devices Cloud-based – no heavy processing on your phone Privacy first – no data tracking or sharing User-friendly – fast, simple interface with professional tools Feedback & Suggestions We're always improving! Email us anytime: marketplace@aspose.cloud

Screenshots

PDF Reader4 screens
Aspose.PDF4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: PDF Reader at 4.5 against Aspose.PDF's 3.9. PDF Reader also leads on ratings volume (3.5K vs 15) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). Aspose.PDF's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10) and update cadence (every 4 weeks vs every 2 months). On price, review sentiment, ads and device support 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. Aspose.PDF asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

PDF Reader holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.9. 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 split almost evenly too, at 81% and 80% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PDF Reader ships an update every 2 months, Aspose.PDF every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and August 17, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
PDF Reader versus Aspose.PDF: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPDF ReaderAspose.PDF
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (3.5K ratings) — better3.9 (15 ratings)
Positive reviews80.9% of reviews — better80.0% of reviews
Number of ratings3.5K — better15
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 4 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemiumFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size190 MB41 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKdan Mobile Software LTDAspose Pty Ltd

Customer experience

PDF Reader

All ratings3,542 ratings
Positive89.2%
Neutral2.7%
Negative8.2%
Written reviews2,194 reviews
Positive80.9%
Neutral4.8%
Negative14.3%

Aspose.PDF

All ratings15 ratings
Positive73.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative26.7%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative20.0%

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

Aspose.PDF

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
None

Aspose.PDF

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is PDF Reader free?
PDF Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Aspose.PDF free?
Aspose.PDF is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, PDF Reader or Aspose.PDF?
PDF Reader is rated higher. PDF Reader averages 4.5 out of 5 from 3.5K ratings, while Aspose.PDF averages 3.9 from 15 ratings.
Do PDF Reader or Aspose.PDF have ads?
Neither PDF Reader nor Aspose.PDF shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PDF Reader or Aspose.PDF?
PDF Reader ships an update every 2 months, and Aspose.PDF every 4 weeks. Most recently, PDF Reader was updated on September 25, 2026 and Aspose.PDF on August 17, 2026.

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