Comparison

Acrobat Reader vs e Signature Scanner, Sign PDF

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Acrobat Reader

This app is a powerful PDF tool for viewing, editing, annotating, and signing documents. It offers AI-powered features for summarizing and interacting with PDFs, along with robust conversion and security options. Collaborate on files and access your documents from anywhere.

Highlights
  • View, edit, and annotate PDFs
  • Sign and fill PDF forms
  • Convert files to and from PDF
  • AI-powered document summarization
  • Collaborate in PDF Spaces
  • Compress and secure PDFs
  • Optical Character Recognition (OCR)
Features
Read full description

Major new updates: Collaborate and share your files in PDF Spaces, and turn your document summaries into podcast-style audio in Acrobat Studio. The world’s most trusted PDF reader, PDF editor, and PDF maker with more than 635 million installs. View, share, annotate, add comments, and sign documents - all in one app. You can store your files online and read documents anywhere. Get your 7-day free trial and try all the features of Acrobat Reader. Paid features: Adobe Acrobat AI Assistant • Work across multiple files in one place with PDF Spaces. Collaborate, store, and use AI Assistant across files • Use voice or text prompts with AI Assistant chatbot • Ask questions and get cited answers about details in your document, including charts, graphs, and tables with Figures Q&A • Easily share the responses you get • Try voice support to ask queries and have answers read aloud. • Use new Hands-free to keep the conversation flowing with voice only • Instantly generate summaries from your PDFs with Generative AI Summaries • Get content for emails, text, study notes, blogs, and more [Adobe Acrobat AI Assistant is a paid feature*, free for a limited time] Edit PDFs • With our PDF editor, edit text and images directly in your PDF (mobile only) • Fix typos or add paragraphs with the PDF editor • Easily add, delete, or rotate any image • Use this PDF signer and PDF viewer to get your docs just right Recognize text • Optical Character Recognition (OCR) turns scanned PDFs into searchable, editable text to use in other formats Merge & organize PDFs with PDF Converter • Split or combine multiple files into one PDF with PDF converter • Use the PDF editor to insert, delete, rotate, crop & reorder pages in your PDF file Create, convert & export PDFs • Easily convert to PDF from any file type including Microsoft, Google Docs, and images • Export and convert PDFs to Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or various image files • Convert web pages to PDFs Compress & highly secure PDFs • Compress PDF files for easy saving and sharing • Password Protect PDF documents Have your PDF read aloud • Listen to your PDFs on the go, great for reading support • Choose free voices or upgrade for high-quality options Subscribe now to access all these features and use Acrobat across mobile and web platforms. Free-to-use features: PDF signer: Fill & Sign Adobe Fill & Sign is free & available in Acrobat Reader. A form filler and PDF signer that lets you fill, sign, and send Liquid mode in the optimal PDF viewer • Get the best PDF reading experience with this PDF viewer • Search, navigate & adjust font size or spacing to fit your screen Annotate PDFs • Add sticky notes, comments, and highlight text Store & manage files • Link online storage accounts like Microsoft OneDrive, Dropbox, or Google Drive • Star files to quickly open important documents Connect the PDF viewer and reader to Google Drive • A PDF creator that lets you edit, compress, and export Google Drive files with a subscription Work with scanned documents • Access scanned PDFs from Adobe Scan in Acrobat to fill, sign, and share The Acrobat Reader mobile app is designed to work with customers who have Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) enabled. *An Adobe Acrobat AI Assistant add-on plan is available to Acrobat Individual customers. iOS 16 or above required. Terms & Conditions: Your use of this application is governed by the Adobe General Terms of Use http://www.adobe.com/go/terms_linkfree_en and the Adobe Privacy Policy http://www.adobe.com/go/privacy_policy_linkfree_en Do not sell or share my personal information www.adobe.com/go/ca-rights-linkfree

About

e Signature Scanner, Sign PDF

Capture your handwritten signature from paper using your phone's camera. The app automatically cleans and refines it for a professional, transparent digital signature to use on PDFs and other documents. Sign contracts, invoices, and agreements quickly and securely.

Highlights
  • Scan handwritten signatures from paper
  • Automatic background cleaning and refinement
  • Create transparent digital signatures
  • Sign PDFs, forms, and business agreements
  • Securely store signatures on device
  • Sign and share files instantly
Features
Read full description

Sign any document with your real handwritten signature. Secure, professional, and fast. Signature Scan is the signature app built for professionals who need to sign contracts, official documents, or any file quickly, without losing the personal touch of a real signature. Sign With Your Real Signature, Not a Scribble Forget digital scribbles or generic fonts. Write your signature on paper, scan signature with your phone camera, and let the app clean the background automatically. In seconds, you’ll have a transparent, professional-looking real signature ready to use in PDFs, forms, or business agreements. Whether you’re a freelancer, small business owner, or employer, this signature maker keeps your signature authentic and consistent across every document. How to sign contracts & documents online? Open any file. PDF, image, or scanned document and sign PDF free right from your phone. Use it to sign contracts, invoices, NDAs, and client agreements without printing or scanning again. Signature Scan works as your all-in-one document signature app, giving you a simple way to sign and share files from anywhere. Professional Look, Real Authenticity Your handwritten signature shouldn’t look artificial. Our AI engine refines every detail. Removing shadows and paper lines while keeping the natural flow of your handwriting. The result is a clean, credible, digital signature app output that looks like you just signed in ink. Safe, Private, and Reliable This signature app free keeps your signatures stored securely on your device. Nothing is uploaded or shared, only you can access and apply your free signature. No ads, no cloud storage, no data tracking. Just a fast, professional tool that respects your privacy and time. Why Professionals Choose Signature Scan • Perfect for signing contracts, NDAs, and business agreements • Fast, accurate, and easy to use; great for freelancers and small teams • Capture and clean your handwritten signature automatically • Scan signature from paper with one tap - no tracing or stylus needed • Works as both signature maker and document signature app • Use your signature app to sign PDF free and send instantly Built for Professionals Signature Scan delivers a real, secure, and professional signing experience; from official documents to work contracts and everything in between. Create and use your real signature anywhere; without scanners, printers, or wasted time. Signature Scan is your trusted signature app. The easiest way to scan signature, sign PDF free, and create your signature maker designs for any professional document. Download now and experience the difference of signing with your own handwriting. Terms of Use: https://profuse.md/tos/ Privacy Policy: https://profuse.md/privacy/

Screenshots

Acrobat Reader4 screens
e Signature Scanner, Sign PDF4 screens

Verdict

The call

Acrobat Reader and e Signature Scanner, Sign PDF both sit at 4.6 stars, but that hides the real split: 84% of e Signature Scanner, Sign PDF's written reviews are positive against 49% of Acrobat Reader's. e Signature Scanner, Sign PDF also leads on iOS requirement (15.1 vs 18.3). Acrobat Reader's advantage is ratings volume (654K vs 2K) and chart position (#2 vs unranked). On price, rating, update cadence and ads 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. Acrobat Reader sells 16 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and e Signature Scanner, Sign PDF sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per 7 days. 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 — 4.6 for Acrobat Reader against 4.6 for e Signature Scanner, Sign PDF. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Acrobat Reader has 654K ratings behind it against 2K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 49% of Acrobat Reader's written reviews are positive against 84% of e Signature Scanner, Sign PDF's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Acrobat Reader ships an update every 9 days, e Signature Scanner, Sign PDF weekly. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
Acrobat Reader versus e Signature Scanner, Sign PDF: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAcrobat Readere Signature Scanner, Sign PDF
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (654K ratings)4.6 (2K ratings)
Positive reviews49.2% of reviews84.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings654K — better2K
Update frequencyEvery 9 daysWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#2 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS18.315.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size522 MB161 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAdobe Inc.Profuse

Customer experience

Acrobat Reader

All ratings654,141 ratings
Positive91.4%
Neutral2.4%
Negative6.2%
Written reviews3,096 reviews
Positive49.2%
Neutral4.4%
Negative46.4%

e Signature Scanner, Sign PDF

All ratings1,989 ratings
Positive89.1%
Neutral2.6%
Negative8.2%
Written reviews1,759 reviews
Positive84.1%
Neutral1.1%
Negative14.8%

User reviews

Acrobat Reader

From 654K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Fast and efficient
  • 🔒 Secure document storage
  • 👍 Convenient for reading and annotating PDFs
  • 👍 Useful for students and professionals

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Buggy and unreliable
  • 🔒 Overly intrusive login requirements
  • 💰 Expensive subscription model
  • 👎 Counterintuitive user interface changes
  • 🔍 Poor search and organization features

e Signature Scanner, Sign PDF

From 2K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 🚀 Efficient signature creation
  • 💡 Convenient for on-the-go signing
  • 🔒 Secure signature storage
  • 👍 User-friendly interface

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Signature not appearing in documents
  • 🐛 Signature quality issues (faint, thin)
  • 💰 Expensive subscription
  • 🔒 Concerns about unauthorized charges

Bugs and requests

Acrobat Reader

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Frequent crashes and freezes
  • Inconsistent behavior when editing PDFs
  • Inability to open or save certain file types
  • Sync issues between mobile and desktop versions

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add erase tool for annotations
  • Improve palm rejection for Apple Pencil
  • Allow direct text editing in PDFs
  • Provide better cloud integration and sync
  • Offer more customization options

e Signature Scanner, Sign PDF

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Signature not loading properly
  • App crashing or freezing
  • Compatibility issues with older devices

Requested features

3 requests
  • Ability to customize signature appearance
  • Option to export/share signature
  • Support for more document types

In-app purchases

16 purchases

Acrobat Reader

Subscriptions16
  • Acrobat Premium - Monthly$3.991 Month
  • Adobe Acrobat Premium$4.991 Month
  • AI Assistant for Acrobat$6.991 Month
Show 13 more
  • Acrobat Premium$7.497 Days
  • Acrobat Premium - Monthly$9.991 Month
  • Acrobat Premium - Weekly$9.997 Days
  • PDF Pack - Doc Creator$9.991 Month
  • Premium - Edit & Create PDF$9.991 Month
  • PDF Edit and Convert Monthly7 Days trial$12.991 Month
  • Acrobat Premium - Monthly$12.991 Month
  • Acrobat Premium - Monthly$14.991 Month
  • Acrobat Reader Plus - Yearly$19.991 Year
  • Adobe ExportPDF$23.991 Year
  • Adobe Acrobat Pro$24.991 Month
  • Acrobat Premium - Yearly7 Days trial$48.991 Year
  • Acrobat Premium - Yearly7 Days trial2 variants$69.991 Year
10 purchases

e Signature Scanner, Sign PDF

Subscriptions8
  • Premium3 Days trial$9.997 Days
  • Premium$9.997 Days
  • Premium3 Days trial$14.997 Days
Show 5 more
  • Premium$19.991 Month
  • Premium$29.991 Month
  • Premium$39.991 Year
  • Premium$49.991 Year
  • Premium$99.991 Year
One-time2
  • Save 1 signature$4.99
  • Premium$79.99

Questions

Is Acrobat Reader free?
Acrobat Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is e Signature Scanner, Sign PDF free?
e Signature Scanner, Sign PDF is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Acrobat Reader or e Signature Scanner, Sign PDF?
Acrobat Reader and e Signature Scanner, Sign PDF are both rated 4.6 out of 5 on the App Store, from 654K and 2K ratings respectively.
Do Acrobat Reader or e Signature Scanner, Sign PDF have ads?
Neither Acrobat Reader nor e Signature Scanner, Sign PDF shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Acrobat Reader or e Signature Scanner, Sign PDF?
Acrobat Reader ships an update every 9 days, and e Signature Scanner, Sign PDF weekly. Most recently, Acrobat Reader was updated on September 24, 2026 and e Signature Scanner, Sign PDF on September 24, 2026.

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