Comparison

InstaPDF vs Scanner

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

Head to head
About

InstaPDF

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
Read full description

Keep your documents safe and secure. Scan, edit and sync documents to all of your devices. Smart renaming suggestions, multiple accounts, text detection and more. Featured by Apple, iMore, Verizon, The App Factor, TechRepublic, Roar News, appPicker and many more. InstaPDF Account required, which can be created In-App. FAST SCANNING WITH AUTOCROP & OCR Multipage scans with auto page detection, which captures just the part you need and performs automatic OCR. PDF EDITOR Add, remove, rotate or re-order pages. Merge documents. Stamp, markup or add signatures. Available exclusively to InstaPDF CloudSafe subscribers. MAC APP Provides an efficient drag & drop and renaming interface to quickly organise and upload multiple documents. SCAN, SIGN AND SEND WITH MARKUP Draw, Highlight, Custom & Predefined Stamp, Add Text, Annotate and Sign Documents. All changes made to the document are synced across devices. FOLDERS Share multiple documents with your anyone using a single URL/link. Documents can be added to existing folders to keep everyone updated. QR CODE READER Integrated QR code reader. Documents from other Users can be imported to your account through QR codes. UNLIMITED CLOUD SYNC Sync that works, no matter how many documents you scan. PRIVACY FOCUSED Encrypt important documents. Set public documents to private with a simple switch. Deleted documents are not recoverable. Follow us @InstaPDF on Twitter for more information. InstaPDF for macOS available at http://instapdf.com/#mac * Privacy Policy: https://instapdf.com/legal#privacy * Terms of Use: https://instapdf.com/legal#tos

About

Scanner

This app offers powerful document scanning with advanced image recognition for text extraction and translation. Easily create PDFs, scan IDs, and manage files efficiently for work or study.

Highlights
  • Fast document scanning
  • Automatic edge detection and cropping
  • Perspective correction
  • High-precision OCR text recognition
  • PDF file generation
  • Photo translation
  • ID scanning
Features
Read full description

Scanner is a powerful scanning software, provides document scanning, text recognition, document scanning, create PDF, photo translation and other practical functions. Software use of advanced image recognition technology, combined with automatic edge search, automatic cutting, perspective correction, can batch, fast, efficient processing of all kinds of documents, is your work, learning super good helper. Main function - Fast document scanning, automatic trimming, perspective correction, PDF editing kit available. - High precision character recognition technology, super recognition engine, fast recognition. - PDF file generation, automatic image batch conversion to PDF. - ID scanning, 1:1 reduction to A4 paper. - Batch export, copy and move - Photo translation, multi-language support. - Powerful file management. - Free to capture text content or individual areas on the picture. - Automatic segmentation, maximizing the restoration of original typesetting. Document scan Fast scan documents, automatic edge recognition, automatic clipping, perspective correction, provide a variety of filters for you to choose, one button generation of PDF format, support to add/remove watermark, adjust page number, size, set PDF open password, etc. OCR Recognition Using advanced image recognition technology (OCR), the text in the image is turned into editable content, which you can modify, copy, export, and translate into many languages at will. PDF generation To convert pictures taken or photos in albums to PDF format, you only need to set the conversion area, you can complete the automatic conversion. You can also export the converted PDF documents to your email, mobile phone, or major sharing platforms. ID scan Automatic scanning of various documents, 1:1 reduction to A4 paper, out to handle affairs, work and study necessary. Photo Translation Direct translation of photos or photo albums in the text content, support multiple languages, you can edit, save, share. Subscription specification If you confirm the purchase of the subscription product, iTunes will directly deduct the relevant subscription fee. If the subscription is not cancelled within 24 hours before the end of the current subscription period, the premium account will be automatically renewed for the next period. During the current subscription period, you cannot cancel the use of the current subscription period. You can manage or cancel the purchase through the Settings of your iTunes account. User Agreement: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Buffalo-tech/Buffalo-tech.github.io/refs/heads/main/UserAgreement_en Privacy Policy: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Buffalo-tech/Buffalo-tech.github.io/refs/heads/main/PrivacyPolicy_en Contact us Email address: qnscanner2021@163.com

Screenshots

InstaPDF4 screens
Scanner4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: InstaPDF at none against Scanner's shown. InstaPDF also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 5 weeks). On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume 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. InstaPDF sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Scanner sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 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 — 4.9 for InstaPDF against 4.8 for Scanner. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1K and 2.3K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 85% of InstaPDF's written reviews are positive against 90% of Scanner's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

InstaPDF ships an update fortnightly, Scanner every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
InstaPDF versus Scanner: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterInstaPDFScanner
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (1K ratings) — better4.8 (2.3K ratings)
Positive reviews85.1% of reviews90.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1K2.3K — better
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 5 weeks
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS1413 — better
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB33 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperProconsult.at GmbH阳杰 刘

Customer experience

InstaPDF

All ratings1,040 ratings
Positive98.7%
Neutral0.8%
Negative0.6%
Written reviews121 reviews
Positive85.1%
Neutral1.7%
Negative13.2%

Scanner

All ratings2,255 ratings
Positive94.5%
Neutral1.9%
Negative3.6%
Written reviews62 reviews
Positive90.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative9.7%

User reviews

InstaPDF

From 1K App Store ratings

What we love

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

Room to improve

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

Scanner

From 2.3K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 🚀 Fast scanning and text extraction
  • 💰 Free to use
  • 🌟 Great overall performance

Room to improve

  • 🔒 Concerns about privacy and security
  • 💰 Locked features behind paywall
  • 🐛 Reliability issues, app crashes or doesn't work
  • 🤖 Poor OCR accuracy, especially for Chinese text

Bugs and requests

InstaPDF

Reported bugs

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

Requested features

4 requests
  • 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.)

Scanner

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Unable to scan documents properly
  • Charged for premium features without consent

Requested features

3 requests
  • Automatic image cropping
  • Integration with more cloud storage/email services
  • Improved OCR accuracy for different languages

In-app purchases

2 purchases

InstaPDF

Subscriptions2
  • CloudSafe Monthly$2.991 Month
  • CloudSafe Yearly$27.991 Year
10 purchases

Scanner

Subscriptions7
  • Consecutive weekly3 Days trial$0.997 Days
  • Consecutive monthly$2.991 Month
  • Consecutive monthly$3.991 Month
Show 4 more
  • Consecutive quarter$7.993 Months
  • Continuous package year$14.991 Year
  • Consecutive year$25.491 Year
  • QNScanner+Consecutive year pro7 Days trial$30.991 Year
One-time3
  • 月度VIP$4.99
  • 2 years VIP$19.99
  • 终身VIP$29.99

Questions

Is InstaPDF free?
InstaPDF is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Scanner free?
Scanner is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, InstaPDF or Scanner?
InstaPDF is rated higher. InstaPDF averages 4.9 out of 5 from 1K ratings, while Scanner averages 4.8 from 2.3K ratings.
Do InstaPDF or Scanner have ads?
Scanner shows ads; InstaPDF does not.
Which is updated more often, InstaPDF or Scanner?
InstaPDF ships an update fortnightly, and Scanner every 5 weeks. Most recently, InstaPDF was updated on October 13, 2026 and Scanner on October 16, 2026.

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