# PDF Scanner vs PDF Reader

PDF Scanner and PDF Reader both sit at 4.7 stars, but that hides the real split: 100% of PDF Scanner's written reviews are positive against 50% of PDF Reader's. PDF Reader's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and update cadence (every 5 days vs every 3 weeks). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. PDF Scanner sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. PDF Reader asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for PDF Scanner against 4.7 for PDF Reader. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 113 and 59 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 100% of PDF Scanner's written reviews are positive against 50% of PDF Reader's.

PDF Scanner ships an update every 3 weeks, PDF Reader every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 15, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | PDF Scanner | PDF Reader |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (113 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-scanner-convert-and-editor/id6636519419/reviews) | [4.7 (59 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-reader-viewer/id6746119431/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **113** | 59 |
| Positive reviews | **100.0% of reviews** | 50.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 5 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Ad-supported** |
| Size | 48 MB | 116 MB |
| Requires iOS | **14.0** | 15 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Walrus Holdings(Hong Kong)Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1762952172) | [All About Housing LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1773925650) |

## What reviewers say

### PDF Scanner

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-scanner-convert-and-editor/id6636519419)

Transform your mobile device into a comprehensive PDF management tool. Easily scan documents, convert images to PDFs, edit existing files, and add digital signatures. This app offers OCR capabilities to extract text and securely stores your files locally.

**Highlights:** Scan documents to PDF, Convert images to PDF, Edit PDF pages and text, Merge and split PDFs, Extract text with OCR, E-sign and fill forms, Secure local storage

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Annual | $49.99 | per year |


### PDF Reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-reader-viewer/id6746119431)

This app provides a privacy-focused way to view, organize, and manage PDF files on your device. It offers tools for merging, splitting, securing documents, and converting images to PDF, all processed locally for enhanced data safety.

**Highlights:** View and organize PDF files, Merge and split PDFs, Secure documents with passwords, Convert images to PDF, Built-in document scanner, Local data processing for privacy

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is PDF Scanner free?

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

### Is PDF Reader free?

PDF Reader is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, PDF Scanner or PDF Reader?

PDF Scanner and PDF Reader are both rated 4.7 out of 5 on the App Store, from 113 and 59 ratings respectively.

### Do PDF Scanner or PDF Reader have ads?

Both PDF Scanner and PDF Reader show ads.

### Which is updated more often, PDF Scanner or PDF Reader?

PDF Scanner ships an update every 3 weeks, and PDF Reader every 5 days. Most recently, PDF Scanner was updated on September 21, 2026 and PDF Reader on September 15, 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.*