# Qrafter vs PDF Expert

The clearest difference is ads: PDF Expert at none against Qrafter's shown. PDF Expert also leads on ratings volume (216K vs 4K) and chart position (#67 vs unranked). Qrafter's advantage is review sentiment (73% vs 46%). On price, rating, update cadence and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Qrafter sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and PDF Expert sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for Qrafter against 4.7 for PDF Expert. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PDF Expert has 216K ratings behind it against 4K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 73% of Qrafter's written reviews are positive against 46% of PDF Expert's.

Qrafter ships an update every 2 weeks, PDF Expert fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Qrafter | PDF Expert |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (4K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/qrafter-qr-code-reader/id416098700/reviews) | **[4.7 (216K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-expert-editor-and-reader/id743974925/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 4K | **216K** |
| Positive reviews | **73.2% of reviews** | 46.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#67** |
| Size | 93 MB | 307 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **16.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Kerem Erkan](https://appshunter.io/developer/416098703) | [Readdle Technologies Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/285035419) |

## What reviewers say

### Qrafter

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/qrafter-qr-code-reader/id416098700)

This app is a powerful tool for scanning and generating QR codes and barcodes. It offers extensive customization options for code design, including logos and colors. Advanced features like encryption, URL safety checks, and inventory scanning make it a versatile solution for personal and professional use.

**Highlights:** Scan QR codes and barcodes, Create custom QR codes with logos, Encrypt QR codes with password protection, URL safety check, Inventory scanner mode, Organize scan history with folders

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro Pack | $3.99 | per month |
| Pro Pack | $24.99 | per year |
| Pro Pack - Lifetime | $124.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and accurate scanning
- 👍 Comprehensive set of features
- 🔒 Secure URL previewing
- 📚 Useful history and batch scanning
- 💡 Ability to create and customize QR codes

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Paid upgrade required for full functionality
- 📢 Intrusive ads in free version
- 🐛 Occasional crashes or glitches
- 🔍 Difficulty scanning smaller QR codes

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes on iOS 9.3.1 after October 2019 update
- Issues with scanning QR codes from photos

**Requested features**

- Support for more barcode types
- Apple Watch complication
- Ability to embed photos in QR codes
- Improved UI for QR code creation


### PDF Expert

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-expert-editor-and-reader/id743974925)

**Currently charting:** #67 Top Grossing · Productivity, #193 Top Free · Productivity (US App Store)

This app allows you to edit, annotate, fill out forms, and convert PDF documents. It offers AI-powered summarization and analysis, along with tools to merge, sign, and protect your files. Work seamlessly across Apple devices with a user-friendly interface.

**Highlights:** Edit PDF text and images, Annotate and highlight PDFs, Fill out PDF forms, Convert files to and from PDF, AI-powered summarization and analysis, Merge and combine PDF files, Sign documents with e-signatures

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| PDF Expert Premium Trial | $9.99 | per month |
| PDF Expert Premium No Trial | $9.99 | per month |
| PDF Expert for Education | $39.99 | per year |
| PDF Expert Premium | $49.99 | per year |
| PDF Expert Premium New | $49.99 | per year |
| PDF Expert Premium Existing | $49.99 | per year |
| PDF Expert – Premium Editing | $49.99 | per year |
| PDF Expert Mac & iOS Pro | $79.99 | per year |
| PDF Expert Mac & iOS | $79.99 | per year |
| PDF Expert Basic | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and responsive
- 👍 Intuitive and user-friendly interface
- 💡 Powerful annotation and editing tools
- 🔒 Seamless cloud integration
- 📚 Excellent for reading and organizing PDFs

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and stability issues
- 🔒 Subscription model for advanced features
- 🔒 Inconsistent pricing and feature changes
- 🔍 Cluttered and confusing UI in latest update
- 🔍 Reduced customization options for annotations

**Reported bugs**

- Corrupted PDFs after editing
- Sync issues with cloud storage providers
- Unexpected loss of annotations and edits
- Unreliable performance on older iPad models

**Requested features**

- Improved palm rejection for Apple Pencil
- Customizable toolbar and annotation presets
- Better integration with other productivity apps
- More flexible file management and organization
- Ability to create fillable PDF forms


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Qrafter free?

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

### Is PDF Expert free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Qrafter or PDF Expert?

PDF Expert is rated higher. Qrafter averages 4.6 out of 5 from 4K ratings, while PDF Expert averages 4.7 from 216K ratings.

### Do Qrafter or PDF Expert have ads?

Qrafter shows ads; PDF Expert does not.

### Which is updated more often, Qrafter or PDF Expert?

Qrafter ships an update every 2 weeks, and PDF Expert fortnightly. Most recently, Qrafter was updated on September 23, 2026 and PDF Expert on September 24, 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.*