# PDF Scanner App vs PDF Reader

The clearest difference is rating: PDF Reader at 4.3 against PDF Scanner App's 3.0. PDF Reader also leads on ratings volume (134 vs 5) and chart position (#191 vs unranked). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. PDF Scanner App sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days and PDF Reader sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

PDF Reader holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PDF Reader has 134 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two.

PDF Scanner App ships an update every 4 weeks, PDF Reader every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on November 5, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | PDF Scanner App | PDF Reader |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.0 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-scanner-app-scan-to-pdf/id6738694872/reviews) | **[4.3 (134 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-reader-edit-and-ocr-scan/id6774545766/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 5 | **134** |
| Positive reviews | — | 75.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 4 weeks | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#191** |
| Size | 82 MB | 22 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Yash Baraiya](https://appshunter.io/developer/1701081026) | [Duc Duong Tran](https://appshunter.io/developer/1580090879) |

## What reviewers say

### PDF Scanner App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-scanner-app-scan-to-pdf/id6738694872)

Transform your device into a powerful PDF tool. Scan documents, sign contracts, convert images to PDF, and edit existing files. Offers a suite of PDF management features, all working offline and privately on your device.

**Highlights:** Scan documents instantly, Sign and edit PDFs, Convert images to PDF, Merge and compress files, Organize with folders, Works offline

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Subscription | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Yearly Subscription Offer | $23.99 | per year |
| Yearly Subscription | $39.99 | per year |


### PDF Reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-reader-edit-and-ocr-scan/id6774545766)

**Currently charting:** #191 Top Grossing · Productivity (US App Store)

This app allows you to scan, read, edit, and manage PDF documents on your iPhone and iPad. Features include OCR text extraction, annotation tools, digital signatures, and file organization.

**Highlights:** Scan documents with camera, Convert photos to PDF, Extract text with OCR, Annotate and highlight PDFs, Add digital signatures, Merge and split PDFs, Password protection

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Weekly | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium Weekly | $14.99 | per 7 days |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is PDF Scanner App free?

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

### Is PDF Reader free?

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

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

PDF Reader is rated higher. PDF Scanner App averages 3.0 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while PDF Reader averages 4.3 from 134 ratings.

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

Both PDF Scanner App and PDF Reader show ads.

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

PDF Scanner App ships an update every 4 weeks, and PDF Reader every 3 weeks. Most recently, PDF Scanner App was updated on November 5, 2026 and PDF Reader 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.*