Comparison

Scanly vs Compress PDF

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

Head to head
About

Scanly

This utility app quickly scans QR codes and barcodes, offering smart actions like opening links or connecting to Wi-Fi. It also allows users to generate custom QR codes for various purposes and securely store scan history.

Highlights
  • Instant QR & Barcode Scanning
  • Smart Actions After Scan
  • QR Code Generator
  • Scan & Generated History
  • Private & Secure Scanning
  • Face ID Protection
Features
Read full description

Point your camera — Scanly reads any QR code or barcode instantly and shows you what to do next: open the link, join the Wi-Fi, save the contact. Fast, private and simple. No accounts, no clutter. SCAN ANYTHING - QR codes and barcodes (EAN, UPC, ISBN and more) - Automatic detection, works in low light with the flashlight ACT IN ONE TAP - Open websites instantly - Join Wi-Fi networks without typing passwords - Save contacts straight to your phone - Share results anywhere CREATE YOUR OWN QR CODES - Websites, Wi-Fi, contacts (vCard), email, events and text - Customize style and preview in real time - Export in high quality for print or sharing HISTORY THAT STAYS PRIVATE - All scanned and created codes in one place - Search and filter by type - Lock your history with Face ID SCANLY PREMIUM Unlock unlimited scans, saving and exporting of generated QR codes and all premium features. - Weekly or yearly subscription - New subscribers can start with a free trial Terms of Use: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WrhsC--weROgWKg5ALEOizKycdwsn3vdMZWnJXcM808/edit?usp=sharing Privacy Policy: https://docs.google.com/document/d/12kHXmu4IoGz5saeOCkljztfo0ya2pDbqWopcC4ILdp4/edit?usp=sharing

About

Compress PDF

Easily reduce the size of PDF files for efficient storage and sharing. Offers adjustable quality levels and on-device processing for privacy. An optional Pro upgrade provides unlimited compressions, target file size control, and an ad-free experience.

Highlights
  • Compress PDFs by adjustable quality
  • Reduce PDF file size quickly
  • Preview original vs. compressed size
  • Share or save compressed PDFs
  • Private and secure on-device processing
  • Target file size control (Pro)
  • Unlimited compressions (Pro)
Read full description

Compress PDFs and make PDFs smaller easily. Optimize PDFs for storage and sharing. Need to format a document for printing, work, or official submission? Resize PDF pages to A4, Letter, Legal, Tabloid, A3, and Custom Dimensions. Features: • Adjustable Quality: Use a simple slider to balance file size • Target Size: Set a goal size • Live Preview: Compare original vs. compressed file size instantly • Quick Share: Easily save to Files or share via email and messages • Smart Document Scanner: Capture and crop documents cleanly right from your camera • Photos to PDF: Convert your images and photos directly into a clean PDF document • Quick Text Creator: Convert plain text typed on your keyboard directly into flat, print-ready text documents • Advanced Organizer: Merge separate files together or cleanly extract specific pages into a new document • Live Text OCR: Instantly lift editable text directly out of captured images • PDF Markup: Annotate documents by drawing, highlighting, and adding text directly to the page PDFs are flattened during export. Text, links, and bookmarks will no longer be selectable. Free users: • Standard PDF Compression (1 per day) • Standard A4 Resizing (1 per day) • Photos to PDF conversion (1 per day) • Quick Text to PDF documents (1 per day) • PDF Markup & Annotation tools (1 per day) Premium unlocks: • Target File Size mode (specify KB/MB) • Merge separate PDFs together • Extract specific pages into a new file • Live Text OCR Extraction • Custom Page Sizer & All Page Formats • No Daily Limit Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://shotexstudio.com/compress-pdf-resize-pdf/ On-Device Processing: Private and secure—no files ever leave your phone.

Screenshots

Scanly4 screens
Compress PDF3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Compress PDF at fortnightly against Scanly's monthly. On price, rating, ratings volume and ads 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. Scanly sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Compress PDF sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Scanly against 4.7 for Compress PDF. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 5 and 14 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Scanly ships an update monthly, Compress PDF fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Scanly versus Compress PDF: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterScanlyCompress PDF
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (5 ratings) — better4.7 (14 ratings)
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings514 — better
Update frequencyMonthlyFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS17.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size11 MB7 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperSerhii KravchukPremiumAl Limited

Customer experience

Scanly

All ratings5 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Compress PDF

All ratings14 ratings
Positive92.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative7.1%
Written reviews10 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Scanly

Subscriptions3
  • Premium Monthly$2.991 Month
  • Scanly: Barcode Scanner3 Days trial$6.997 Days
  • Premium Yearly7 Days trial$14.991 Year
3 purchases

Compress PDF

Subscriptions1
  • Premium Weekly$2.997 Days
One-time2
  • Premium$4.99
  • Premium$5.99

Questions

Is Scanly free?
Scanly is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Compress PDF free?
Compress PDF is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Scanly or Compress PDF?
Scanly is rated higher. Scanly averages 4.8 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while Compress PDF averages 4.7 from 14 ratings.
Do Scanly or Compress PDF have ads?
Neither Scanly nor Compress PDF shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Scanly or Compress PDF?
Scanly ships an update monthly, and Compress PDF fortnightly. Most recently, Scanly was updated on October 8, 2026 and Compress PDF on October 2, 2026.

Other comparisons