# CamScanner vs PDF Reader

The clearest difference is review sentiment: CamScanner at 61% against PDF Reader's 20%. CamScanner also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.3) and ratings volume (1.9M vs 408). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. CamScanner sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and PDF Reader sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

CamScanner holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: CamScanner has 1.9M ratings behind it against 408, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 61% of CamScanner's written reviews are positive against 20% of PDF Reader's.

CamScanner ships an update weekly, PDF Reader monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | CamScanner | PDF Reader |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (1.9M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/camscanner-pdf-scanner-app/id388627783/reviews)** | [4.3 (408 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-reader-document-reader/id6450378658/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.9M** | 408 |
| Positive reviews | **61.1% of reviews** | 20.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#7** | — |
| Size | 383 MB | 28 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **14.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [INTSIG Information Co., Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/344077850) | [Rajanibhai Sheladiya](https://appshunter.io/developer/1693041623) |

## What reviewers say

### CamScanner

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

**Currently charting:** #7 Top Grossing · Productivity, #25 Top Free · Productivity, #136 Top Grossing (US App Store)

Transform your mobile device into a powerful portable scanner. Instantly scan, edit, and share documents in various formats like PDF, JPG, Word, and TXT. Features include OCR, e-signatures, and secure file management.

**Highlights:** Mobile document scanning, Text recognition (OCR), PDF conversion, E-signature creation, Secure file management, Cloud storage integration

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (13)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Account | $4.99 | per month |
| CamScanner Premium(1 week) | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| CamScanner Premium | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium Account(1 Month) | $9.99 | per month |
| 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 |
| Premium Account(1 year) | $69.99 | 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 Reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-reader-document-reader/id6450378658)

This app allows users to easily find, open, read, and manage all PDF and Office files stored on their mobile device. It offers features for annotating, signing, and organizing documents, with options for offline viewing and sharing.

**Highlights:** Auto scan and find all files, Offline PDF viewer, Read and annotate PDFs, File management and organization, Share files easily, Favorite PDF pages

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly ( 1 Week ) | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly ( 1 Month ) | $6.99 | per month |
| Yearly ( 1 Year ) | $24.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Very useful for processing files
- 👍 Easy to use
- 👍 Brilliant application
- 👍 Helped with work progression

**What reviewers complain about**

-  anúncios Excessivos
- 👎 Cannot open PDFs
- 👎 App is useless
- 👎 Forced vertical orientation
- 👎 Constant ads

**Reported bugs**

- App crashed and locked PDF
- Photos not appearing in PDF conversion
- Ads cannot be closed
- App tries to load scanning software instead of reading PDF
- App does not appear in preferred app list

**Requested features**

- Save page number for resuming reading
- Respect user time before asking for payment


## Frequently asked questions

### Is CamScanner free?

CamScanner is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is PDF Reader free?

PDF Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, CamScanner or PDF Reader?

CamScanner is rated higher. CamScanner averages 4.8 out of 5 from 1.9M ratings, while PDF Reader averages 4.3 from 408 ratings.

### Do CamScanner or PDF Reader have ads?

Both CamScanner and PDF Reader show ads.

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

CamScanner ships an update weekly, and PDF Reader monthly. Most recently, CamScanner was updated on September 25, 2026 and PDF Reader on September 20, 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.*