Comparison

CamScanner vs PDF Reader

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 Reader

This mobile app acts as a PDF office assistant, offering features for editing, scanning, and optical character recognition. It allows for easy document management, page manipulation, and conversion of images and paper documents into editable digital files.

Highlights
  • PDF Editing
  • Image to PDF conversion
  • Import PDF files
  • OCR Text Recognition
  • Add, delete, rearrange pages
  • Filters, highlights, annotations
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

PDF Reader - OCR Scan Edit: Your mobile PDF office assistant. Supports editing, scanning, and OCR recognition, making document management easy and efficient. Key Features: PDF Editing Easily add, delete, and rearrange pages. Supports filters, highlights, and annotations, making your PDFs more readable and personalized. Image to PDF Import multiple images at once and automatically generate a PDF file for clarity, organization, and efficiency. Import PDF Import PDF files from system folders, ready to use right out of the box, making management easier. OCR Text Recognition Intelligently recognize text in images or scans, extracting and generating editable PDF files with one click, instantly converting paper documents to digital form. Whether you're scanning notes, editing documents, or recognizing text in images, PDF Reader - OCR Scan Edit is your go-to assistant. 【Ad-Free Edition - Enjoy a Pure Experience】 Upgrade to the Ad-Free version to enjoy an uninterrupted workspace:  • Remove all advertisements completely. • Focus entirely on reading, scanning, and editing. Subscription Details: • Payment will be charged to your iTunes account upon confirmation. • Subscriptions auto-renew unless turned off at least 24-hours before the period ends. • Manage your subscriptions and auto-renewal in your Account Settings after purchase. Links: Privacy Policy: https://pdfreaderocrscanedit.com/privacy.html Terms of Use: https://pdfreaderocrscanedit.com/terms.html Subscription Terms: https://pdfreaderocrscanedit.com/subscription_terms.html

Screenshots

CamScanner4 screens
PDF Reader4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: CamScanner at 4.8 against PDF Reader's 4.4. CamScanner also leads on ratings volume (1.9M vs 316) and review sentiment (60% vs 42%). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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 Reader sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

CamScanner holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: CamScanner has 1.9M ratings behind it against 316, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 60% of CamScanner's written reviews are positive against 42% of PDF Reader's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

CamScanner ships an update weekly, PDF Reader every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
CamScanner versus PDF Reader: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCamScannerPDF Reader
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (1.9M ratings) — better4.4 (316 ratings)
Positive reviews60.1% of reviews — better42.0% of reviews
Number of ratings1.9M — better316
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 10 days
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#7 — better#88
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size382 MB72 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperINTSIG Information Co., LtdFuzhou Jiange Technology Co., Ltd.

Customer experience

CamScanner

All ratings1,936,983 ratings
Positive96.5%
Neutral1.4%
Negative2.0%
Written reviews2,930 reviews
Positive60.1%
Neutral3.8%
Negative36.1%

PDF Reader

All ratings316 ratings
Positive85.4%
Neutral4.4%
Negative10.1%
Written reviews188 reviews
Positive42.0%
Neutral5.9%
Negative52.1%

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 Reader

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

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 Reader

Subscriptions2
  • PDF Reader Ad-Free$5.997 Days
  • PDF Reader Ad-Free$29.991 Year

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 4.4 from 316 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 every 10 days. Most recently, CamScanner was updated on October 17, 2026 and PDF Reader on October 15, 2026.
Which is more popular, CamScanner or PDF Reader?
CamScanner currently peaks at #7 in the App Store charts, and PDF Reader at #88. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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