# CamScanner vs PDF Master

The clearest difference is ads: PDF Master at none against CamScanner's shown. PDF Master also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). CamScanner's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (2M vs 3). On price, rating, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

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

PDF Master holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: CamScanner has 2M ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 60% of CamScanner's written reviews are positive against 40% of PDF Master's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

CamScanner ships an update weekly, PDF Master every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | CamScanner | PDF Master |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (2M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/camscanner-pdf-scanner-app/id388627783/reviews) | **[5.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-master-editor-and-scanner/id1606486950/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **2M** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | **59.9% of reviews** | 40.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#10** | — |
| Size | 375 MB | 27 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [INTSIG Information Co., Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/344077850) | [shellmob](https://appshunter.io/developer/1573900492) |

## What reviewers say

### CamScanner

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/camscanner-pdf-scanner-app/id388627783)

**Currently charting:** #10 Top Grossing · Productivity, #25 Top Free · Productivity, #166 Top Grossing (US App Store)

Transform your mobile device into a powerful portable scanner. Automatically recognize text with OCR to boost productivity. Instantly scan, save, and share documents in various formats like PDF, JPG, Word, and TXT.

**Highlights:** Mobile document scanning, Automatic text recognition (OCR), PDF and JPG conversion, Multi-page document creation, Cloud storage integration, E-signature functionality, Password-protected files

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, iPhone Duo support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Account | $4.99 | per month |
| CamScanner Premium | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium Account(1 Month) | $9.99 | per month |
| CamScanner Premium(1 week) | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| CamScanner Premium | $49.99 | per year |
| CamScanner Premium | $49.99 | per year |
| Premium Account (1 year) | $59.99 | per year |
| Premium Account(1 year) | $59.99 | per year |
| CamScanner Premium | $69.99 | per year |
| One-page Fax | $0.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Efficient scanning and document management
- 📁 Convenient cloud storage and backup
- 🔍 Powerful OCR and document enhancement features
- 🔧 Customizable scanning and editing options
- 🏫 Useful for school and work applications

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔒 Concerns about data privacy and security
- 🤖 Inconsistent OCR and text recognition accuracy
- 💰 Aggressive upselling and subscription model
- 🔌 App crashes and performance issues
- 📤 Difficulties with sharing and exporting files

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes during scanning and editing
- Syncing and backup issues causing data loss
- Compatibility problems with newer devices
- Unexpected charges and subscription renewals
- Unreliable performance and frequent updates

**Requested features**

- Improved OCR and text recognition accuracy
- More flexible export and sharing options
- Customizable storage and backup settings
- Enhanced security and privacy controls
- Streamlined subscription and pricing model


### PDF Master

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-master-editor-and-scanner/id1606486950)

This app is a comprehensive PDF tool for iPhone and iPad users. It offers editing, conversion, scanning, reading, and signing capabilities in a single, user-friendly interface. Streamline your document management for work, study, or daily tasks.

**Highlights:** Professional PDF editing and annotation, Convert PDFs to/from Word, Excel, PPT, Images, TXT, HD mobile scanner with OCR, Image to PDF conversion, Smooth PDF reader and file manager, Electronic and handwritten signatures

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| PDF Converter Premium Weekly | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| PDF Converter Premium Monthly | $3.99 | per month |
| PDF Photos Premium Monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| PDF Converter Premium Yearly | $9.99 | per year |
| PDF Photos Premium Quarterly | $9.99 | per 6 months |
| PDF Photos Premium Yearly | $9.99 | per year |
| PDF Photos Premium Yearly | $12.99 | per year |
| PDF Converter Premium Lifetime | $14.99 | one-time |
| PDF Converter Premium Lifetime | $19.99 | one-time |
| PDF Converter Premium Lifetime | $29.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is CamScanner free?

CamScanner 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, CamScanner or PDF Master?

PDF Master is rated higher. CamScanner averages 4.8 out of 5 from 2M ratings, while PDF Master averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.

### Do CamScanner or PDF Master have ads?

CamScanner shows ads; PDF Master does not.

### Which is updated more often, CamScanner or PDF Master?

CamScanner ships an update weekly, and PDF Master every 2 months. Most recently, CamScanner was updated on November 4, 2026 and PDF Master on November 3, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*