# NotaryAct vs Smart PDF Document Scanner

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Smart PDF Document Scanner at none against NotaryAct's 2. Smart PDF Document Scanner also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 79%). NotaryAct's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 6 months). On price, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. NotaryAct sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Smart PDF Document Scanner asks for nothing beyond the download.

NotaryAct holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: NotaryAct has 102 ratings behind it against 10, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 79% of NotaryAct's written reviews are positive against 100% of Smart PDF Document Scanner's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

NotaryAct ships an update every 3 weeks, Smart PDF Document Scanner every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | NotaryAct | Smart PDF Document Scanner |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (102 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/notaryact-electronic-journal/id577611054/reviews)** | [4.4 (10 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smart-pdf-document-scanner/id1181147140/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **102** | 10 |
| Positive reviews | 79.2% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 6 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Ad-supported** |
| Size | 12 MB | 11 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 16.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [ALL IP Operating, LLC.](https://appshunter.io/developer/577611057) | [Qrayon, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/354980265) |

## What reviewers say

### NotaryAct

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/notaryact-electronic-journal/id577611054)

This mobile application provides a secure, electronic journaling system for notaries. It helps ensure compliance with state and federal regulations by creating non-modifiable journal records. Features include scanning driver's licenses to pre-fill information and cloud-based storage.

**Highlights:** Electronic notary journal, Compliance with regulations, Secure cloud-based storage, Driver's license scanning, Pre-fill signer information, Mobile business record

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| One month subscription to NotaryAct | $4.99 | one-time |
| One year subscription to NotaryAct | $49.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Time-saving efficiency
- 👍 Easy to use
- 💡 Scanning ID for auto-population
- 🔒 Secure cloud storage
- 👍 Professional appearance

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 ID scanner issues
- 🐛 Inconsistent password saving on iPhone
- 🐛 Outdated UI
- 🐛 Lack of specific iPad app
- 🐛 Trial period limitations

**Reported bugs**

- App spins wheels creating account
- No box to scan license
- ID scanner issues after update
- Login screen requiring credentials without sign-up option
- 404 error on contact page

**Requested features**

- Dedicated iPad app
- Improved UI
- Better password management on iPhone
- More flexible trial period
- Clearer pricing upfront


### Smart PDF Document Scanner

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smart-pdf-document-scanner/id1181147140)

Transform your phone into a powerful document scanner. Capture, enhance, and organize your important papers with tack-sharp scans and a color-coded tagging system. Easily share PDFs for business or personal use.

**Highlights:** Tack-sharp document scanning, Automatic edge detection and perspective correction, Color, grayscale, and black-and-white scan options, FlashAssist for low-light scanning, Color-coded tagging system for organization, Quickly scan and share PDFs

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is NotaryAct free?

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

### Is Smart PDF Document Scanner free?

Smart PDF Document Scanner is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, NotaryAct or Smart PDF Document Scanner?

NotaryAct is rated higher. NotaryAct averages 4.8 out of 5 from 102 ratings, while Smart PDF Document Scanner averages 4.4 from 10 ratings.

### Do NotaryAct or Smart PDF Document Scanner have ads?

Smart PDF Document Scanner shows ads; NotaryAct does not.

### Which is updated more often, NotaryAct or Smart PDF Document Scanner?

NotaryAct ships an update every 3 weeks, and Smart PDF Document Scanner every 6 months. Most recently, NotaryAct was updated on October 21, 2026 and Smart PDF Document Scanner on October 11, 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.*