# CamScanner vs Google Docs

The clearest difference is ads: Google Docs at none against CamScanner's shown. Google Docs also leads on review sentiment (70% vs 61%). CamScanner's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. CamScanner sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Google Docs sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $199.99 per year. 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 Google Docs. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.9M and 3.2M respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 61% of CamScanner's written reviews are positive against 70% of Google Docs's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly weekly. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | CamScanner | Google Docs |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (1.9M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/camscanner-pdf-scanner-app/id388627783/reviews) | [4.8 (3.2M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/google-docs/id842842640/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 1.9M | **3.2M** |
| Positive reviews | 61.1% of reviews | **69.8% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Weekly | Weekly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Best chart rank | **#7** | #9 |
| Size | 383 MB | 348 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [INTSIG Information Co., Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/344077850) | [Google](https://appshunter.io/developer/281956209) |

## 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, #123 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


### Google Docs

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/google-docs/id842842640)

**Currently charting:** #9 Top Free · Productivity, #60 Top Free (US App Store)

Create, edit, and collaborate on documents online in real time. Work together seamlessly with your team, even offline, and access a variety of file types. AI-powered features can help draft and refine content.

**Highlights:** Real-time collaboration, Offline editing, Template library, Multiple file type support, AI-powered drafting, Commenting and action items

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Google AI Pro (5 TB) | $199.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Convenient and accessible
- 👍 Seamless collaboration
- 🔒 Automatic saving
- 💡 Offline functionality
- 👍 Versatile for various uses

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Laggy performance and input delays
- 👎 Limited formatting and customization options
- 🔍 Difficult to organize and navigate documents
- 👎 Compatibility issues with other platforms

**Reported bugs**

- Unexpected crashes and document loss
- Inconsistent behavior when switching between apps
- Issues with image insertion and manipulation

**Requested features**

- Improved document organization with folders
- Expanded font and formatting options
- Better integration with Microsoft Office
- Smoother scrolling and navigation


## Frequently asked questions

### Is CamScanner free?

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

### Is Google Docs free?

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

### Which has better reviews, CamScanner or Google Docs?

CamScanner and Google Docs are both rated 4.8 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1.9M and 3.2M ratings respectively.

### Do CamScanner or Google Docs have ads?

CamScanner shows ads; Google Docs does not.

### Which is updated more often, CamScanner or Google Docs?

CamScanner ships an update weekly, and Google Docs weekly. Most recently, CamScanner was updated on September 24, 2026 and Google Docs on September 24, 2026.

### Which is more popular, CamScanner or Google Docs?

CamScanner currently peaks at #7 in the App Store charts, and Google Docs at #9. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*