# CamScanner vs PDF Scanner

CamScanner and PDF Scanner both sit at 4.8 stars, but that hides the real split: 61% of CamScanner's written reviews are positive against 0% of PDF Scanner's. CamScanner also leads on ratings volume (1.9M vs 32) and chart position (#7 vs unranked). PDF Scanner's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.0). On price, rating, update cadence and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. CamScanner sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and PDF Scanner sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for CamScanner against 4.8 for PDF Scanner. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: CamScanner has 1.9M ratings behind it against 32, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 61% of CamScanner's written reviews are positive against 0% of PDF Scanner's.

CamScanner ships an update weekly, PDF Scanner every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and August 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | CamScanner | PDF Scanner |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (1.9M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/camscanner-pdf-scanner-app/id388627783/reviews) | [4.8 (32 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-scanner-documents-scan-plus/id6461824475/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.9M** | 32 |
| Positive reviews | **61.1% of reviews** | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 9 days |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Best chart rank | **#7** | — |
| Size | 383 MB | 83 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **11.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [INTSIG Information Co., Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/344077850) | [Hendrych Kowalski](https://appshunter.io/developer/1703990075) |

## What reviewers say

### CamScanner

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

**Currently charting:** #7 Top Grossing · Productivity, #24 Top Free · Productivity, #129 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 Scanner

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-scanner-documents-scan-plus/id6461824475)

Transform your device into a powerful mobile scanner for documents. Easily capture, edit, organize, and share files in various digital formats. Ideal for remote work, study, and small businesses.

**Highlights:** Smart scanning, Security & privacy, Document organization, Multiple export formats (PDF, JPG, DOC, XLS, PPT, TXT), Remote work and study capabilities

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Weekly | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium Annual | $49.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is CamScanner free?

CamScanner 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, CamScanner or PDF Scanner?

CamScanner and PDF Scanner are both rated 4.8 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1.9M and 32 ratings respectively.

### Do CamScanner or PDF Scanner have ads?

CamScanner shows ads; PDF Scanner does not.

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

CamScanner ships an update weekly, and PDF Scanner every 9 days. Most recently, CamScanner was updated on September 25, 2026 and PDF Scanner on August 23, 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.*