Comparison

CamScanner vs PDF Viewer

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 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
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

PDF Viewer

Easily convert various file formats to PDF and back again. This app supports conversions from images, documents, and presentations, allowing you to manage and share your files efficiently. It also offers OCR capabilities to convert photos into editable text.

Highlights
  • Convert JPG, Word, Excel, PPT to PDF
  • Convert PDF to other formats
  • Share and save converted files
  • Access conversion history
  • Pull files from iCloud or gallery
  • Convert Photos to Text (OCR)
Read full description

PDF Viewer makes file conversions easy, fast, and completely free. Convert files like JPG, Word, Excel, PPT, and more to PDF or convert PDFs back to other formats all from your iPhone.  Here’s what you can do with PDF Viewer: ● Convert files from popular formats like JPG, DOC, XLS, PPT, TXT, RTF, EPUB, and many more to PDF ● Convert PDF files back into various formats ● Share or save your converted files directly to iCloud or other apps ● Access and manage your conversion history ● Pull files from iCloud, your photo gallery, or capture a new image for conversion ● Share converted files via iMessage, open them in other apps, print, or save them to your Files app ● Convert Photos to Text ———————————————————— ◆ How to convert files with PDF Viewer ◆ 1. Select the file you want to convert 2. Choose your desired output format (PDF or another) 3. Tap the “Convert” button 4. Your file will be instantly converted (you can then save it, share it, or access it from your history) ———————————————————— PDF Viewer subscription policy: Once you sign up to PDF Viewer Premium, you will have full access to all of PDF Viewer’s features for free for 3 days. You can cancel your subscription any time and you will be sent a reminder before your PDF Viewer subscription begins after your trial. PDF Viewer Premium Subscription: - With a PDF Viewer Premium subscription you have access to all of PDF Viewer’s advanced PDF editing features, and access to all future updates. - PDF Viewer Premium monthly subscription is billed monthly for $4.99, and payment will be charged to iTunes Account after a 3 day free trial. - Subscription automatically renews 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, and identify the cost of the renewal. - Subscriptions can be managed by the user and auto-renewal can be turned off by going to the user's iPhone Settings -> Apple ID -> Subscriptions. ———————————————————— Connect with us on X and Instagram: @AndrewLeeReal Have any questions or recommendations? Feel free to reach out to me at: Andrew@AndrewLee.Ventures Privacy Policy: http://andrewlee.ventures/privacy Terms of Use: http://andrewlee.ventures/terms

Screenshots

CamScanner4 screens
PDF Viewer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: PDF Viewer at none against CamScanner's shown. PDF Viewer also leads on review sentiment (89% vs 61%). CamScanner's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 3 months) and ratings volume (1.9M vs 235). 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 13 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and PDF Viewer sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 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 4.8 for PDF Viewer. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: CamScanner has 1.9M ratings behind it against 235, 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 89% of PDF Viewer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

CamScanner ships an update weekly, PDF Viewer every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
CamScanner versus PDF Viewer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCamScannerPDF Viewer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (1.9M ratings)4.8 (235 ratings)
Positive reviews61.1% of reviews89.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1.9M — better235
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 3 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
Best chart rank#7 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size383 MB11 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperINTSIG Information Co., LtdAndrew Lee

Customer experience

CamScanner

All ratings1,914,032 ratings
Positive96.6%
Neutral1.4%
Negative2.0%
Written reviews2,684 reviews
Positive61.1%
Neutral3.7%
Negative35.2%

PDF Viewer

All ratings235 ratings
Positive96.6%
Neutral2.6%
Negative0.9%
Written reviews57 reviews
Positive89.5%
Neutral7.0%
Negative3.5%

User reviews

CamScanner

From 1.9M 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

PDF Viewer

From 235 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy and intuitive to use
  • 🚀 Fast and efficient conversion
  • 💰 Free or affordable pricing
  • 📄 Excellent PDF conversion and merging capabilities
  • 🎨 Clean and simple interface design

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Forced review prompt before app usage
  • ❌ Missing file deletion option
  • 📸 No in-app camera scanning capability
  • ⚙️ No file size customization options
  • 🔄 Inconsistent performance across devices

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

PDF Viewer

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App doesn't function on iPad mini (current model)
  • Forced review requirement blocks app access
  • Document quality issues when converting images to PDF
  • Occasional glitches during operation

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add file deletion functionality
  • Implement in-app camera scanning feature
  • Add page merge and delete options
  • Include file size/quality customization
  • Support for more device types (iPad compatibility)

In-app purchases

13 purchases

CamScanner

Subscriptions12
  • Premium Account$4.991 Month
  • CamScanner Premium(1 week)3 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • CamScanner Premium3 Days trial$6.997 Days
Show 9 more
  • Premium Account(1 Month)$9.991 Month
  • Premium Account (1 month)1 Month trial$9.991 Month
  • 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
  • Premium Account(1 year)3 Days trial$69.991 Year
  • CamScanner Premium1 Month trial$69.991 Year
One-time1
  • One-page Fax$0.99
2 purchases

PDF Viewer

Subscriptions1
  • PDF Converter: Premium3 Days trial$4.991 Month
One-time1
  • PDF Converter: PremiumFree

Questions

Is CamScanner free?
CamScanner is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PDF Viewer free?
PDF Viewer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, CamScanner or PDF Viewer?
CamScanner and PDF Viewer are both rated 4.8 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1.9M and 235 ratings respectively.
Do CamScanner or PDF Viewer have ads?
CamScanner shows ads; PDF Viewer does not.
Which is updated more often, CamScanner or PDF Viewer?
CamScanner ships an update weekly, and PDF Viewer every 3 months. Most recently, CamScanner was updated on September 24, 2026 and PDF Viewer on September 8, 2026.

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