Comparison

PDF Reader vs PDF Master

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

PDF Master

This app offers a comprehensive suite of tools for managing PDF documents on iOS. It allows users to scan physical documents and gallery images into PDFs, create new PDFs from scratch, view existing files, merge multiple PDFs, and extract text using OCR technology.

Highlights
  • Scan photos to PDF
  • Convert gallery images to PDF
  • Create new PDF files
  • View and read PDF documents
  • Merge multiple PDF files
  • OCR text recognition
Features
Read full description

PDF Master - Your Ultimate PDF Companion Welcome to PDF Master, the powerful and user-friendly iOS PDF app that provides a comprehensive solution for all your PDF needs. Whether you need to scan photos to PDF, organize gallery images, create new PDF, view, or merge existing PDF files, PDF Master has you covered. - Scan Photos to PDF: Effortlessly convert your physical documents, photos, or handwritten notes into high-quality PDF documents. - Convert Gallery Images to PDF: Select images from your gallery, quickly create beautiful PDF files for easy sharing and storage. - Create PDF Files: Build new PDF from scratch, add text, images, and annotations, tailor your documents to your liking. - View PDF: Browse and read PDF files, with support for page zoom, rotation, and soon-to-come bookmark features, ensuring a comfortable reading experience. - Merge PDF Files: Combine multiple PDF files into one, effortlessly manage and organize your documents. - OCR (Text Recognition): Utilize OCR technology to extract text from scanned documents, making content more searchable and editable. PDF Master is your ideal choice for working with PDF files in various scenarios, whether in the office, school or daily life. Download PDF Master now and start a convenient new way to manage PDF documents! Payment & Subscription Terms: Choose between the following subscription options for unlimited access to all features: You may cancel your subscription at any time You can cancel auto-renewal at any time, given that the cancellation is at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Any unused portion of a free trial period will be forfeited when making a purchase of an auto-renewing subscription. Manage your subscription directly from your iPhone Subscriptions can be managed by the user and auto-renewal can be turned off by going to the Account Settings: Account Settings: - Open the Settings app. - Tap your name. - Tap Subscriptions. - Tap the subscription that you want to manage. For app support and more information, reach out to us at: kma45143@outlook.com Privacy policy: https://sites.google.com/view/pdf-master-privacy-policy/ Terms of use: https://sites.google.com/view/pdfmastertermsofuse/

Screenshots

PDF Reader4 screens
PDF Master4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: PDF Reader at 81% against PDF Master's 9%. PDF Reader also leads on monetization model (freemium vs subscription) and ads (none vs shown). PDF Master's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months). On price, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement 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 PDF Master sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days. 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 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PDF Reader has 3.5K ratings behind it against 200, 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 9% of PDF Master's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PDF Reader ships an update every 2 months, PDF Master every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
PDF Reader versus PDF Master: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPDF ReaderPDF Master
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (3.5K ratings) — better4.3 (200 ratings)
Positive reviews80.9% of reviews — better9.1% of reviews
Number of ratings3.5K — better200
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better14.0
Further details — not scored
Size190 MB119 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKdan Mobile Software LTDCheeseJoy Apps

Customer experience

PDF Reader

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

PDF Master

All ratings200 ratings
Positive79.0%
Neutral7.0%
Negative14.0%
Written reviews11 reviews
Positive9.1%
Neutral0.0%
Negative90.9%

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

PDF Master

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
12 purchases

PDF Master

Subscriptions11
  • PDF Master$0.997 Days
  • weekly3 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • PDF Master PRO 1 Week$5.997 Days
Show 8 more
  • PDF Master PRO 1 Week3 Days trial$5.997 Days
  • PDF Master PRO 1 Week7 Days trial$5.997 Days
  • PDF Master PRO 1 Week3 Days trial$9.997 Days
  • PDF Master PRO 1 Week7 Days trial$9.997 Days
  • Monthly Pro$9.991 Month
  • PDF Master PRO 1 Year$29.991 Year
  • PDF Master PRO 1 Year$34.991 Year
  • PDF Master PRO 1 Year$39.991 Year
One-time1
  • PDF Master Pro$19.99

Questions

Is PDF Reader free?
PDF Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PDF Master free?
PDF Master is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, PDF Reader or PDF Master?
PDF Reader is rated higher. PDF Reader averages 4.5 out of 5 from 3.5K ratings, while PDF Master averages 4.3 from 200 ratings.
Do PDF Reader or PDF Master have ads?
PDF Master shows ads; PDF Reader does not.
Which is updated more often, PDF Reader or PDF Master?
PDF Reader ships an update every 2 months, and PDF Master every 2 weeks. Most recently, PDF Reader was updated on September 24, 2026 and PDF Master on September 14, 2026.

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