Comparison

PDF Export vs Lens Scanner

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

Head to head
About

PDF Export

This app provides comprehensive tools for creating, editing, converting, and organizing PDF files on your mobile device. It offers features like scanning documents, merging files, adding watermarks, and even transcribing audio to text, all without requiring an internet connection.

Highlights
  • Convert Word, Excel, JPG to PDF
  • Convert PDF to Word, Excel, PPT
  • Edit PDF text and images
  • Annotate and sign documents
  • Merge and split PDFs
  • Scan documents with OCR
  • Compress and secure PDFs
Features
Read full description

Tired of switching between multiple apps just to handle PDFs? PDF Export brings scanning, editing, converting, signing, compressing, chat exporting and 30+ PDF tools together in one simple app. Scan a document, edit a PDF, convert Office files, export WhatsApp chats, add signatures, protect files and much more — right from your iPhone or iPad. Pay once. No subscription. No monthly fee. # ANNOTATE & EDIT PDFs - Work directly inside your PDF. - Highlight important text, draw, add comments, annotate pages and edit PDF content without recreating the entire document. # SCAN ANY DOCUMENT - Turn your iPhone or iPad into a portable document scanner. - Scan receipts, contracts, notes, forms and multi-page documents in seconds. Automatic edge detection helps create clean, professional-looking PDFs without needing a separate scanner. # OCR — EXTRACT TEXT FROM IMAGES - Need text from a photo, scanned document or handwritten document? - OCR can recognize and extract text from images, scanned documents, handwritten documents and image-based PDFs. - Copy, search or work with the extracted text without typing everything again. # MERGE & SPLIT PDFs - Organize PDF pages exactly the way you need. - Combine multiple PDF files into a single document, or split a large PDF into smaller files. Great for reports, invoices, forms and document collections. # SIGN DOCUMENTS - Sign PDFs directly on your iPhone or iPad. - No printing, signing and scanning again. Simply open your document, add your signature and share the completed PDF. # CONVERT FILES TO PDF — OR BACK AGAIN - Quickly convert documents between popular formats: - Word to PDF - PDF to Word - Excel to PDF - PDF to Excel - PowerPoint to PDF - PDF to PowerPoint - JPG to PDF - PDF to JPG - Web Page to PDF - PDF to Text - PDF to HTML - PDF to RTF Keep your documents in the format you actually need. # COMPRESS PDFs - Large PDF taking too much space? - Reduce PDF file size to make documents easier to email, share, upload or store while maintaining useful document quality. # PROTECT, UNLOCK & WATERMARK PDFs - Keep sensitive documents protected. - Add password protection to PDFs, unlock files you have permission to access, and add watermarks to help protect your work. # CHAT TO PDF - Export WhatsApp chats as beautifully formatted PDFs or interactive HTML. - Choose from WhatsApp-style or clean document layouts, personalize with themes, search messages, jump between months, and view shared media easily. - Perfect for saving memories, keeping records, and archiving important conversations. # ROTATE & CROP PDF PAGES - Fix poorly oriented or badly cropped pages in seconds. - Rotate pages with a tap, remove unwanted margins, or crop multiple pages to create a cleaner document. # MORE PDF TOOLS - PDF Export includes many additional tools for everyday document work, including: - Blank PDF editor - Web to PDF - Clipboard to PDF - Add page numbers - Extract images - Repair PDFs - Transcribe content - Send fax And more TRY BEFORE YOU BUY See how the tools work before purchasing. Import your own file for a trial, or use the built-in sample document anytime to explore available features. # WHY PDF EXPORT? - 30+ PDF tools in one app - One-time purchase — no subscription - Scan, edit, sign and convert documents - Export WhatsApp chats to PDF or interactive HTML - Designed for iPhone and iPad - Many document tools work offline - Simple tools for everyday PDF tasks Whether you're scanning paperwork, signing a contract, converting an Office document, compressing a large PDF or preserving an important WhatsApp conversation, PDF Export gives you the tools to get it done in one place. Download PDF Export and make PDF and document management simpler.

About

Lens Scanner

This app functions as a portable scanner, fax machine, and PDF converter. It allows users to extract text from images, manage documents, and share them securely. Features include wireless printing, global faxing, and cloud storage integration.

Highlights
  • Scan documents and convert to JPG or PDF
  • OCR text recognition and editing
  • Portable document storage and management
  • Wireless printing and global faxing
  • Secure document sharing with encryption
  • Convert tables to Excel
Features
Read full description

Lens Scanner is a portable scanner app, fax machine, PDF converter, text extraction tool and document sharing platform, easily scan office documents quickly, easily and with great results. Document, PDF, Picture, Paper Scanner, File Manager, Word & Excel File Editor == MAIN FUNCTIONS == [Scanning] Photo docs, remove background, generate JPG or PDF. Various image processing modes, adjust manual parameters and convert hard copy to soft copy. [Convert Image To Text] OCR recognition, photo docs, word finding via word search! PRO account can read texts and export them into files that can be edited, copied, saved or shared, is a powerful tool for learning and translating foreign languages. [Portable Docs Storage] Access and manage docs via mobile, tablet, computer, etc. Label categorization, manual annotation, add watermark and E-signature, docs encryption. [Wireless Print, Global Fax] Support wireless print and fax to different countries and regions. [Sharing Docs] Super Office assistant, invite friends to view and comment on docs, and share them via email, link, or WhatsApp, Facebook, Telegram, Messenger etc. == PERFET FOR == - Read and export text and notes on image whole docs into txt file - Image merge feature: Merge certificates, invoices, practice questions into one - Share docs in the form of encrypted links and set link validity time - Upload docs to other cloud like Box, Google Drive, Dropbox, Evernote, OneDrive - Support E-signature - ID Scan Mode: Set scanned docs to paper, easy to copy data; - Private folder: Save local docs and add password; - Create PDF password: Open PDF sharing and add password, share secret files more secure! - Remove ads & watermark: Remove ads across platforms and watermark docs - Anti plagiarism: Add watermark to prevent abuse, illegal plagiarism, etc. - Convert table to Excel: The captured table can be converted into a file. ----Suggestion for Use---- So that the scan results are clear, please: - Make sure there is enough light, don't vibrate - Try to take full picture of one camera screen If you like Lens Scanner or have any suggestions, please leave a comment or send an e-mail to camerascanner.official@gmail.com, so we can improve the product! Our standard Subscription Plans is: * 1-Week Subscription Subscription payments will be charged to your App Store account at confirmation of your purchase. Subscriptions will automatically renew and you will be charged unless auto-renew is turned off or unless you cancel at least 24 hours prior to the end of the current subscription or trial period. Any unused portion of a free trial period will be forfeited when you purchase a pro subscription during the free trial period. The cost of renewal depends on the Subscription Plan you choose.Subscriptions and auto-renewal may be managed by going to Account Settings after purchase or by contacting Customer Support. Privacy Policy: https://d1e0dtlz2jooy2.cloudfront.net/inter-web/scanner/privacy.html Terms of Services: https://inter.youdao.com/cloudfront/inter-web/scanner/terms.html

Screenshots

PDF Export4 screens
Lens Scanner4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ratings volume: PDF Export at 1.8K against Lens Scanner's 34. PDF Export also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases 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. PDF Export sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and Lens Scanner sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Lens Scanner holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PDF Export has 1.8K ratings behind it against 34, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PDF Export ships an update fortnightly, Lens Scanner every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
PDF Export versus Lens Scanner: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPDF ExportLens Scanner
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (1.8K ratings)4.9 (34 ratings) — better
Positive reviews46.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings1.8K — better34
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.615.6
Further details — not scored
Size217 MB32 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLiveBird Technologies Private LimitedYoudao (Hong Kong) Limited

Customer experience

PDF Export

All ratings1,727 ratings
Positive91.1%
Neutral3.3%
Negative5.6%
Written reviews418 reviews
Positive46.4%
Neutral5.5%
Negative48.1%

Lens Scanner

All ratings34 ratings
Positive97.1%
Neutral0.0%
Negative2.9%

Bugs and requests

PDF Export

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Crashes when opening certain PDF files
  • Formatting issues when converting documents to PDF
  • Inability to restore previous purchases

Requested features

5 requests
  • Improved PDF splitting and merging capabilities
  • Annotation and editing tools for PDFs
  • Better integration with other productivity apps
  • Clearer pricing and feature structure
  • Enhanced user interface and navigation

Lens Scanner

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

10 purchases

PDF Export

One-time10
  • 1 Fax Credit$0.99
  • Convert 5 Documents Online$0.99
  • 5 Fax Credit$3.99
Show 7 more
  • PDF Export Pro Plus$3.99
  • PDF Export Pro$3.99
  • Convert 30 Documents Online$4.99
  • 10 Fax Credit$5.99
  • 20 Fax Credit$9.99
  • PDF Export Full Access$12.99
  • Convert 150 Documents Online$19.99
8 purchases

Lens Scanner

Subscriptions8
  • iScanner Pro3 Days trial$1.997 Days
  • iScanner Pro3 Days trial$2.997 Days
  • iScanner Pro$5.997 Days
Show 5 more
  • iScanner Pro3 Days trial2 variants$5.997 Days
  • iScanner Pro$19.991 Year
  • iScanner Pro$24.991 Year
  • iScanner Pro2 variants$49.991 Year
  • iScanner Pro3 Days trial$49.991 Year

Questions

Is PDF Export free?
PDF Export is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Lens Scanner free?
Lens Scanner is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, PDF Export or Lens Scanner?
Lens Scanner is rated higher. PDF Export averages 4.7 out of 5 from 1.8K ratings, while Lens Scanner averages 4.9 from 34 ratings.
Do PDF Export or Lens Scanner have ads?
Both PDF Export and Lens Scanner show ads.
Which is updated more often, PDF Export or Lens Scanner?
PDF Export ships an update fortnightly, and Lens Scanner every 2 months. Most recently, PDF Export was updated on November 6, 2026 and Lens Scanner on November 3, 2026.

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