Comparison

PDF Reader vs PDF Scanner

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 Scanner

Features
Read full description

Cam PDF Scanner: Your Ultimate Document Management Solution Cam PDF Scanner is a feature-rich and versatile mobile application designed to streamline your document scanning and management needs. With a user-friendly interface and a robust set of tools, this app empowers you to effortlessly handle various document-related tasks, making it an essential tool for both personal and professional use. Key Features: Document Scanning: • High-quality document scanning using your device's camera. Watermark Addition: • Customize your scanned documents by adding watermarks for branding or security purposes. Page Sorting and Filtering: • Easily rearrange and organize scanned pages. • Apply filters to quickly locate specific documents or pages. Digital Signatures: • Seamlessly sign your scanned documents digitally, reducing the need for physical signatures. Document Conversion: • Convert PDFs to editable DOCX files for easy editing. • Transform DOCX files into PDFs for secure sharing. • Convert PDFs to image formats (JPG, PNG) for versatile use. • Extract text content from PDFs and save as TXT files. Image Compression: • Compress image files to optimize storage space without compromising quality. Merge Documents: • Combine multiple documents into a single PDF for convenience and organization. How Cam PDF Scanner Enhances Your Workflow: • Efficient Collaboration: • Share scanned and converted documents securely with colleagues or clients, enhancing collaboration and communication. • Mobile Productivity: • Conduct business on the go by scanning, signing, and managing documents directly from your mobile device. • Time and Space Savings: • Eliminate the need for physical paperwork, reduce clutter, and save time by digitizing and managing your documents within the app. Cam PDF Scanner is a comprehensive solution for individuals and professionals seeking a reliable and efficient document management tool. Experience the convenience of a one-stop app that covers scanning, conversion, signing, and organization, all in the palm of your hand. Download Cam PDF Scanner now and elevate your document management experience. Terms - https://sanatorija.org/terms.html Privacy policy - https://sanatorija.org/privacy.html Terms of Use (EULA) - https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

PDF Reader4 screens
PDF Scanner4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: PDF Reader at 13.0 against PDF Scanner's 15.0. On price, 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

Both are free to download. PDF Reader sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and PDF Scanner sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 27, 2026 and May 17, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
PDF Reader versus PDF Scanner: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPDF ReaderPDF Scanner
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (3.5K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews80.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings3.5K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size190 MB108 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKdan Mobile Software LTDSANATORIJA K SIA

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 Scanner

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
3 purchases

PDF Scanner

Subscriptions3
  • Get Pro Access3 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • Get Pro Access3 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Get Pro Access3 Days trial$29.991 Year

Questions

Is PDF Reader free?
PDF Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PDF Scanner free?
PDF Scanner is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do PDF Reader or PDF Scanner have ads?
Neither PDF Reader nor PDF Scanner shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PDF Reader or PDF Scanner?
PDF Reader ships an update every 2 months, and PDF Scanner every 2 months. Most recently, PDF Reader was updated on September 27, 2026 and PDF Scanner on May 17, 2026.

Other comparisons