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™

Transform your iPhone into a powerful PDF scanner and editor. Easily scan, modify, sign, merge, and compress documents. This free, all-in-one tool simplifies document management for work, study, and daily tasks.

Highlights
  • Scan documents to PDF
  • Edit and annotate PDFs
  • Add handwritten signatures
  • Merge multiple PDFs
  • Compress PDF files
  • Fill and save PDF forms
  • Convert photos to PDF
Features
Read full description

ScannovaPDF is the all-in-one PDF tool for iPhone users. Scan, edit, sign, merge, compress and fill PDF forms with one simple app, 100% free of charge. Turn your iPhone into a portable scanner, capture papers, IDs, receipts and convert them to clear PDFs instantly. Edit PDF content, add handwritten signatures, combine multiple files, reduce PDF size without quality loss, and fill out forms anytime, anywhere. No login required, no subscription fees, no complicated operations. Suitable for business work, school study and daily document management. Key Functions: • Scan documents to high-definition PDF • Edit and annotate PDF files directly • Add handwritten electronic signatures • Merge multiple PDFs into one file • Compress PDFs to save storage space • Fill and save PDF forms quickly • Convert photos to PDF easily • Smooth PDF reading and page management Download ScannovaPDF now, handle all PDF tasks efficiently on your mobile device! Privacy Policy: https://www.scannovapdf.com/privacy Terms of Service: https://www.scannovapdf.com/terms

Screenshots

PDF Reader4 screens
PDF Scanner™4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: PDF Reader at 4.5 against PDF Scanner™'s 3.7. PDF Reader also leads on ratings volume (3.5K vs 3) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.6). 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 1 in-app purchase, starting at $9.99 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 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PDF Reader has 3.5K ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PDF Reader ships an update every 2 months, PDF Scanner™ monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 27, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
PDF Reader versus PDF Scanner™: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPDF ReaderPDF Scanner™
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (3.5K ratings) — better3.7 (3 ratings)
Positive reviews80.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings3.5K — better3
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size190 MB36 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKdan Mobile Software LTDSOLAR NETWORKS LIMITED

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 Scanner™

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

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
1 purchases

PDF Scanner™

Subscriptions1
  • Unlock Scannova PDF (1 Week)3 Days trial$9.997 Days

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.
Which has better reviews, PDF Reader or PDF Scanner™?
PDF Reader is rated higher. PDF Reader averages 4.5 out of 5 from 3.5K ratings, while PDF Scanner™ averages 3.7 from 3 ratings.
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™ monthly. Most recently, PDF Reader was updated on September 27, 2026 and PDF Scanner™ on September 20, 2026.

Other comparisons