# InstaPDF vs PDF Expert

The clearest difference is review sentiment: InstaPDF at 85% against PDF Expert's 46%. InstaPDF also leads on rating (4.9 vs 4.7) and iOS requirement (14 vs 16.0). PDF Expert's advantage is ratings volume (216K vs 1K) and chart position (#73 vs unranked). 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 Expert sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

InstaPDF holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PDF Expert has 216K ratings behind it against 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 46% of PDF Expert's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | InstaPDF | PDF Expert |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/instapdf-scan-edit-and-share/id565931517/reviews)** | [4.7 (216K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-expert-editor-and-reader/id743974925/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 1K | **216K** |
| Positive reviews | **85.0% of reviews** | 45.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | Fortnightly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#73** |
| Size | 9 MB | 307 MB |
| Requires iOS | **14** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Proconsult.at GmbH](https://appshunter.io/developer/452201565) | [Readdle Technologies Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/285035419) |

## 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 Expert

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

**Currently charting:** #73 Top Grossing · 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 InstaPDF free?

InstaPDF 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, InstaPDF or PDF Expert?

InstaPDF is rated higher. InstaPDF averages 4.9 out of 5 from 1K ratings, while PDF Expert averages 4.7 from 216K ratings.

### Do InstaPDF or PDF Expert have ads?

Neither InstaPDF nor PDF Expert shows ads.

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

InstaPDF ships an update fortnightly, and PDF Expert fortnightly. Most recently, InstaPDF was updated on September 20, 2026 and PDF Expert on September 29, 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.*