Comparison

CamScanner vs InstaPDF

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

CamScanner

Transform your mobile device into a powerful scanner. Instantly digitize documents, receipts, and notes into various formats like PDF, JPG, Word, and TXT. Enhance scans with editing tools, extract text with OCR, and share your files securely.

Highlights
  • Mobile document scanning
  • OCR text recognition
  • PDF and JPG conversion
  • Multi-page document creation
  • Cloud storage integration
  • E-signature support
  • Password protection for files
Features
Read full description

The most intelligent scanner app Trusted by 300M+ users CamScanner is an all-in-one scanner app. It turns your mobile device into a powerful portable scanner that recognizes text automatically (OCR) and improves your productivity to save your time. Download this scanner app for free to instantly scan, save, and share any document in PDF, JPG, Word, or TXT formats. Would you like to keep your entire office in your pocket and increase your productivity at work? Use the CamScanner scanner app to handle your paperwork with ease. Say goodbye to huge and heavy copy machines and get this ultra-fast scanner app for free now. DOCUMENT SCANNER This free-of-charge yet powerful scanner app is a must-have for students and anyone involved in business: accountants, realtors, managers, or lawyers. With this PDF scanner, scan anything you need, receipts, contracts, paper notes, fax papers, books, and store your scans as multipage PDF or JPG files. VARIOUS SCANNING MODES –ID CARD & PASSPORT: A mode specifically designed for fast and convenient scans of ID documents. –QR CODE: Scan any QR code with the camera on your mobile device. PDF CONVERTER –PDF Converter: This PDF scanner enables you to create PDF from a website, and convert documents in multiple formats to PDF. –Supported file formats: PDF, JPG, DOC, DOCX, TXT, XLS, XLSM, XLSX, CVS, PPT, PPTM, PPTX. SHARE AND COLLABORATE –Share files for commenting or viewing in WhatsApp, iMessage, Microsoft Teams. –Collect comments from multiple people in one file online. –Speed document reviews by responding to each other's comments. –Receive activity notifications for the files you share. INNOVATIVE PDF SCANNER –Scan documents and photos to PDF, JPG, or TXT. –Easily scan multiple pages into one document. –Extract text from any scannable object with text recognition (OCR). –Create and add your own e-signature on documents. HANDY DOCUMENT EDITOR & FILE MANAGER –Edit scans with filters and the feature of noise removal. –Manage files with folders, drag & drop to reorder, and enjoy other document editing features. –Protect your confidential scans by locking folders and files with passwords. EASILY SEND DOCUMENT –Scan, save and send documents in just a few taps. –Email with attachments or send document links. –Upload scanned documents to cloud services like Dropbox, Google Drive, Evernote, and OneDrive. –Print PDF files, such as contracts and invoices, right from the scanner app. –Send files quickly and securely. Scanning or sharing is achieved with no intervention from the CamScanner scanner app team or any third party. Documents are safely stored on your mobile devices. UNLIMITED ACCESS MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTION –You can subscribe to get unlimited access to all features of the scanner app. –Subscriptions are billed weekly, monthly, quarterly, or annually at the rate based on the subscription plan. –Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. –Subscription renews automatically unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. –Account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. The cost depends on the selected plan. –Subscriptions may be managed by the user, and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase. –Any unused portion of the free trial will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription. For Terms of Use, please visit https://www.camscanner.com/app/service?language=en-us For Privacy Policy, please visit https://www.camscanner.com/app/privacy?language=en-us We'd love to hear your feedback: isupport@camscanner.com Follow us on X: @CamScanner Like us on Facebook: @CamScanner UA Follow us on Instagram: @CamScanner_Official Follow us on YouTube: @CamScanner_Official Check out other products of INTSIG: CamCard - Business Card Reader

About

InstaPDF

This app allows you to scan, edit, and securely store your documents. It offers features like automatic cropping, text detection, and the ability to add signatures and annotations. Documents can be synced across devices and shared easily.

Highlights
  • Fast multipage scanning with auto page detection
  • Optical Character Recognition (OCR)
  • PDF editing (add/remove pages, merge, stamp, sign)
  • Cross-device document syncing
  • Folder organization and sharing
  • Integrated QR code reader
Read full description

Keep your documents safe and secure. Scan, edit and sync documents to all of your devices. Smart renaming suggestions, multiple accounts, text detection and more. Featured by Apple, iMore, Verizon, The App Factor, TechRepublic, Roar News, appPicker and many more. InstaPDF Account required, which can be created In-App. FAST SCANNING WITH AUTOCROP & OCR Multipage scans with auto page detection, which captures just the part you need and performs automatic OCR. PDF EDITOR Add, remove, rotate or re-order pages. Merge documents. Stamp, markup or add signatures. Available exclusively to InstaPDF CloudSafe subscribers. MAC APP Provides an efficient drag & drop and renaming interface to quickly organise and upload multiple documents. SCAN, SIGN AND SEND WITH MARKUP Draw, Highlight, Custom & Predefined Stamp, Add Text, Annotate and Sign Documents. All changes made to the document are synced across devices. FOLDERS Share multiple documents with your anyone using a single URL/link. Documents can be added to existing folders to keep everyone updated. QR CODE READER Integrated QR code reader. Documents from other Users can be imported to your account through QR codes. UNLIMITED CLOUD SYNC Sync that works, no matter how many documents you scan. PRIVACY FOCUSED Encrypt important documents. Set public documents to private with a simple switch. Deleted documents are not recoverable. Follow us @InstaPDF on Twitter for more information. InstaPDF for macOS available at http://instapdf.com/#mac * Privacy Policy: https://instapdf.com/legal#privacy * Terms of Use: https://instapdf.com/legal#tos

Screenshots

CamScanner4 screens
InstaPDF4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: InstaPDF at none against CamScanner's shown. InstaPDF also leads on review sentiment (85% vs 60%). CamScanner's advantage is ratings volume (2M vs 1.1K) and chart position (#12 vs unranked). On price, rating, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. CamScanner sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and InstaPDF sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for CamScanner against 4.9 for InstaPDF. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: CamScanner has 2M ratings behind it against 1.1K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 60% of CamScanner's written reviews are positive against 85% of InstaPDF's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

CamScanner ships an update weekly, InstaPDF fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 11, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
CamScanner versus InstaPDF: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCamScannerInstaPDF
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (2M ratings)4.9 (1.1K ratings) — better
Positive reviews59.9% of reviews85.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings2M — better1.1K
Update frequencyWeekly — betterFortnightly
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#12 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS15.014 — better
Further details — not scored
Size381 MB9 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperINTSIG Information Co., LtdProconsult.at GmbH

Customer experience

CamScanner

All ratings1,976,606 ratings
Positive96.5%
Neutral1.4%
Negative2.1%
Written reviews3,065 reviews
Positive59.9%
Neutral3.8%
Negative36.2%

InstaPDF

All ratings1,040 ratings
Positive98.7%
Neutral0.8%
Negative0.6%
Written reviews121 reviews
Positive85.1%
Neutral1.7%
Negative13.2%

User reviews

CamScanner

From 2M App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 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

Room to improve

  • 🔒 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

InstaPDF

From 1.1K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 🚀 Efficient workflow
  • 🔒 Secure storage
  • 💡 Helpful features (filters, stamps, etc.)
  • 🚀 Quick scanning and sharing

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes or issues
  • 🔧 Cropping/editing could be improved
  • 💻 Compatibility issues with some devices
  • 🔑 Password recovery/reset needs improvement

Bugs and requests

CamScanner

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • 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

6 requests
  • 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
Show 1 more
  • Reduced ads and more features in free version

InstaPDF

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Sign-in with Apple not working for some users
  • Cropping/alignment issues in certain lighting conditions
  • Disappearing folders reported by some users

Requested features

4 requests
  • Import function for PDFs from other apps
  • Password protection/encryption for sensitive documents
  • Advanced editing tools (annotations, redaction, etc.)
  • Integration with cloud storage services (iCloud, Google Drive, etc.)

In-app purchases

10 purchases

CamScanner

Subscriptions9
  • Premium Account$4.991 Month
  • CamScanner Premium3 Days trial$6.997 Days
  • Premium Account(1 Month)$9.991 Month
Show 6 more
  • CamScanner Premium(1 week)3 Days trial$9.997 Days
  • CamScanner Premium1 Year trial$49.991 Year
  • CamScanner Premium3 Days trial$49.991 Year
  • Premium Account (1 year)7 Days trial$59.991 Year
  • Premium Account(1 year)3 Days trial$59.991 Year
  • CamScanner Premium1 Month trial$69.991 Year
One-time1
  • One-page Fax$0.99
2 purchases

InstaPDF

Subscriptions2
  • CloudSafe Monthly$2.991 Month
  • CloudSafe Yearly$27.991 Year

Questions

Is CamScanner free?
CamScanner is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is InstaPDF free?
InstaPDF is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, CamScanner or InstaPDF?
InstaPDF is rated higher. CamScanner averages 4.8 out of 5 from 2M ratings, while InstaPDF averages 4.9 from 1.1K ratings.
Do CamScanner or InstaPDF have ads?
CamScanner shows ads; InstaPDF does not.
Which is updated more often, CamScanner or InstaPDF?
CamScanner ships an update weekly, and InstaPDF fortnightly. Most recently, CamScanner was updated on November 11, 2026 and InstaPDF on November 6, 2026.

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