Comparison

PDF Merger vs TapFocus

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

Head to head
About

PDF Merger

Features
Read full description

PDF Merger 2.0 is the fastest, most private way to combine, split, compress, scan, OCR, and sign PDFs on iPhone and iPad — now with built-in AI Chat powered by Gemini. — NEW IN 2.0 — • AI Chat (Gemini 2.5 Flash-Lite) — Ask any PDF anything. Summaries, lookups, totals, translations. Opt-in, with no chat history stored on our servers. 5 free questions/week. • OCR (on-device) — Recognise text on scanned PDFs in 30+ languages. Searchable, copyable, exportable. • Page Extraction — Pull any page into its own PDF in one tap. • Page Numbering — Add numbers to every page with custom format & position. • E-Signature — Stamp a saved signature image with date. • Cover Page Bundler — Auto-generate a cover with title + table of contents. • Insert Blank Page — Perfect for chapter breaks. • 40+ Languages — Fully localized UI and App Store keywords. • iPad Polished — Sidebar layout, drag-and-drop, Apple Pencil ready. — CORE FEATURES — • Merge PDFs — Drag, drop, and reorder unlimited files into one PDF. • Split PDFs — Extract page ranges or single pages with one tap. • Compress PDFs — Shrink size up to 80% while preserving readability. • Rotate Pages — Fix sideways scans, per-page or in batch. • Add Watermark — Text or image, adjustable opacity and position. • Password Lock — AES-128 encrypted PDFs. • Document Scanner — Camera-to-PDF with auto-crop and perspective correction. • JPG to PDF — Photos to PDF with auto-cropping. • PDF to Images — Each page as JPG or PNG. • Apple Intelligence — Smart Summary + Auto-Rename, fully on-device. — PRIVACY-FIRST — • PDF processing stays 100% on your device. • AI Chat is opt-in. When enabled, only the text of the PDF you're asking about is sent to Gemini, cached for 1 hour, and never stored beyond that. • No tracking, no analytics, no advertising. • Files live in your private app sandbox; deleted when you delete them. — PRO TIER (optional) — Unlock unlimited merges, larger batches, watermark removal, password protection, document scanner, OCR, e-signature, AI Chat, Apple Intelligence Smart Summary, and every new feature with a single subscription or one-time Lifetime purchase. • Weekly — try Pro for less than a coffee • Yearly — save 70% • Lifetime — pay once, own forever Subscriptions auto-renew unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the renewal date. Payment is charged to your Apple ID. Manage in Settings → Apple ID → Subscriptions. — DESIGNED FOR iOS — • Built natively with SwiftUI + PDFKit for iOS 17+. • Optimized for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Pencil. • Full Dark Mode support. • Dynamic Type accessibility throughout. • VoiceOver labels on every interactive control. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://www.freeprivacypolicy.com/live/dca821a0-9b8b-48a6-9565-d1c64344a313

About

TapFocus

Features
Read full description

Block distracting apps, then unlock them with a real-world key. TapFocus makes focus physical. Instead of relying on willpower alone, you can turn an NFC tag, QR code, or barcode into a Focus Key — a small real-world step between you and your most distracting apps. Place a Focus Key on your desk, by your bed, across the room, or anywhere you want to create intentional friction. Start a focus session, block the apps you choose, and unlock again when you scan your key. Use an NFC tag for a simple tap-to-unlock ritual, print a QR code for a low-cost setup, or scan a barcode on an object you already own. No special hardware required. Build your own focus system • Block distracting apps during focus sessions • Unlock with NFC tags, QR codes, or barcodes • Create Focus Keys for different routines • Put your unlock key across the room, at your desk, or away from your bed • Build simple rituals for work, studying, sleep, reading, or deep focus • Add intentional friction before you open distracting apps Useful for • Staying off social media while working • Keeping your phone away from bed • Reducing impulsive app checking • Creating a DIY focus setup with NFC tags • Printing QR keys for rooms, notebooks, or desks TapFocus is not another focus timer. It is a physical ritual that makes focus easier to start — and harder to break. Tap. Scan. Focus.

Screenshots

PDF Merger3 screens
TapFocus2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: TapFocus at every 2 days against PDF Merger's every 9 months. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Ā· Rating Ā· Positive reviews Ā· Number of ratings Ā· Update frequency Ā· Ads Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Monetization Ā· Best chart rank Ā· Devices Ā· Requires iOS

CostPrice Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Ads Ā· Monetization

Both are free to download. PDF Merger sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days and TapFocus sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PDF Merger ships an update every 9 months, TapFocus every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference Ā· 5 level
PDF Merger versus TapFocus: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPDF MergerTapFocus
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 9 monthsEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAhmet BostanckliogluMatthew Davies

In-app purchases

3 purchases

PDF Merger

Subscriptions2
  • Pro — Weekly3 Days trial$1.997 Days
  • Pro — Yearly$29.991 Year
One-time1
  • PDF Merger Lifetime$59.99
1 purchases

TapFocus

One-time1
  • Lifetime Access$9.99

Questions

Is PDF Merger free?
PDF Merger is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is TapFocus free?
TapFocus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do PDF Merger or TapFocus have ads?
Neither PDF Merger nor TapFocus shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PDF Merger or TapFocus?
PDF Merger ships an update every 9 months, and TapFocus every 2 days. Most recently, PDF Merger was updated on October 7, 2026 and TapFocus on October 28, 2026.

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