# InstaPDF vs PDF Viewer by Nutrient

The clearest difference is rating: InstaPDF at 4.9 against PDF Viewer by Nutrient's 4.6. InstaPDF also leads on review sentiment (85% vs 73%) and iOS requirement (14 vs 17.0). PDF Viewer by Nutrient's advantage is ratings volume (9.1K vs 1.1K). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. InstaPDF sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and PDF Viewer by Nutrient sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 3 months. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

InstaPDF holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PDF Viewer by Nutrient has 9.1K ratings behind it against 1.1K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 85% of InstaPDF's written reviews are positive against 73% of PDF Viewer by Nutrient's.

InstaPDF ships an update fortnightly, PDF Viewer by Nutrient monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | InstaPDF | PDF Viewer by Nutrient |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (1.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/instapdf-scan-edit-and-share/id565931517/reviews)** | [4.6 (9.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-viewer-by-nutrient/id1120099014/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 1.1K | **9.1K** |
| Positive reviews | **85.1% of reviews** | 73.2% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Size | 9 MB | 111 MB |
| Requires iOS | **14** | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Proconsult.at GmbH](https://appshunter.io/developer/452201565) | [PSPDFKit GmbH](https://appshunter.io/developer/966931428) |

## What reviewers say

### InstaPDF

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/instapdf-scan-edit-and-share/id565931517)

This app allows you to scan, edit, and securely store your documents. It offers features like automatic cropping, text detection, and the ability to add signatures and annotations. Documents can be synced across devices and shared easily.

**Highlights:** Fast multipage scanning with auto page detection, Optical Character Recognition (OCR), PDF editing (add/remove pages, merge, stamp, sign), Cross-device document syncing, Folder organization and sharing, Integrated QR code reader

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| CloudSafe Monthly | $2.99 | per month |
| CloudSafe Yearly | $27.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Efficient workflow
- 🔒 Secure storage
- 💡 Helpful features (filters, stamps, etc.)
- 🚀 Quick scanning and sharing

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes or issues
- 🔧 Cropping/editing could be improved
- 💻 Compatibility issues with some devices
- 🔑 Password recovery/reset needs improvement

**Reported bugs**

- Sign-in with Apple not working for some users
- Cropping/alignment issues in certain lighting conditions
- Disappearing folders reported by some users

**Requested features**

- Import function for PDFs from other apps
- Password protection/encryption for sensitive documents
- Advanced editing tools (annotations, redaction, etc.)
- Integration with cloud storage services (iCloud, Google Drive, etc.)


### PDF Viewer by Nutrient

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-viewer-by-nutrient/id1120099014)

Easily view, search, and annotate PDF documents on your iPhone and iPad. Access files from cloud services, fill out forms, add signatures, and organize your documents. Advanced features are available through a subscription.

**Highlights:** View, search, and annotate PDFs, Cloud service integration, Fill out forms and add signatures, Create and edit PDF pages, Password protection, Night mode and text-to-speech

**Features:** Family Sharing, iMessage stickers, iPhone Duo support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| PDF Viewer Pro 3 Months | $6.99 | per 3 months |
| PDF Viewer Pro Yearly | $19.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Seamless integration with iCloud and Files app
- 👍 Intuitive annotation tools with Apple Pencil
- 🎨 Versatile highlighting and drawing options
- 💾 Saves annotations to original PDF files
- 🔍 Powerful search and navigation features

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes and performance issues
- 🤔 Confusing UI and steep learning curve
- 🔀 Difficulty managing and organizing PDF files
- 🔍 Inconsistent text selection and highlighting
- 🔒 Privacy concerns around data collection

**Reported bugs**

- Annotations randomly disappearing or not saving
- Incompatibility issues with certain PDF files
- Scrolling and panning problems on large PDFs
- Unexpected crashes after iOS updates

**Requested features**

- Add a rubber/eraser tool for annotations
- Implement a side-by-side PDF view mode
- Improve palm rejection and gesture support
- Allow customization of toolbar and shortcuts
- Provide better options for PDF file management


## Frequently asked questions

### Is InstaPDF free?

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

### Is PDF Viewer by Nutrient free?

PDF Viewer by Nutrient is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, InstaPDF or PDF Viewer by Nutrient?

InstaPDF is rated higher. InstaPDF averages 4.9 out of 5 from 1.1K ratings, while PDF Viewer by Nutrient averages 4.6 from 9.1K ratings.

### Do InstaPDF or PDF Viewer by Nutrient have ads?

Neither InstaPDF nor PDF Viewer by Nutrient shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, InstaPDF or PDF Viewer by Nutrient?

InstaPDF ships an update fortnightly, and PDF Viewer by Nutrient monthly. Most recently, InstaPDF was updated on November 6, 2026 and PDF Viewer by Nutrient on November 10, 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.*