# PDF Tools vs plaiiin Light

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: plaiiin Light at none against PDF Tools's 2. plaiiin Light also leads on ads (none vs shown). PDF Tools's advantage is iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.0). On price, update cadence and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. PDF Tools sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. plaiiin Light asks for nothing beyond the download.

PDF Tools ships an update every 3 months, plaiiin Light every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | PDF Tools | plaiiin Light |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Size | 44 MB | 6 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.1** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Aziz Kurt](https://appshunter.io/developer/1434989306) | [plaiiin GmbH](https://appshunter.io/developer/1894706504) |

## What reviewers say

### PDF Tools

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-tools-scan-and-editor/id6736427782)

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Subscription | $0.99 | per month |
| Annual Subscription | $3.99 | per year |


### plaiiin Light

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/plaiiin-light/id6787092509)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is PDF Tools free?

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

### Is plaiiin Light free?

plaiiin Light is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do PDF Tools or plaiiin Light have ads?

PDF Tools shows ads; plaiiin Light does not.

### Which is updated more often, PDF Tools or plaiiin Light?

PDF Tools ships an update every 3 months, and plaiiin Light every 2 months. Most recently, PDF Tools was updated on October 27, 2026 and plaiiin Light on November 5, 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.*