# PDF Reader vs PDF Scanner

PDF Reader and PDF Scanner both sit at 4.7 stars, but that hides the real split: 50% of PDF Reader's written reviews are positive against 0% of PDF Scanner's. PDF Reader also leads on update cadence (every 6 days vs every 4 weeks) and ratings volume (64 vs 6). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for PDF Reader against 4.8 for PDF Scanner. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PDF Reader has 64 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 50% of PDF Reader's written reviews are positive against 0% of PDF Scanner's.

PDF Reader ships an update every 6 days, PDF Scanner every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 3, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | PDF Reader | PDF Scanner |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (64 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-reader-viewer/id6746119431/reviews) | **[4.8 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-scanner-file-reader/id6771282051/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **64** | 6 |
| Positive reviews | **50.0% of reviews** | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 days** | Every 4 weeks |
| Monetization | Ad-supported | Ad-supported |
| Size | 116 MB | 115 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16** | 16.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [All About Housing LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1773925650) | [Fuzhou Xuanlong Technology Co., Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1895713245) |

## What reviewers say

### 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


### PDF Scanner

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-scanner-file-reader/id6771282051)

Transform your iPhone into a powerful document studio. Scan, read, edit, merge, and manage all your PDF files with this all-in-one, ultra-fast, and intuitive application. Keep your documents confidential with local processing.

**Highlights:** Intelligent document scanning, PDF reading and annotation, Drawing and easy signing, Merge and organize PDFs, Ultimate file manager, Local data privacy

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is PDF Reader free?

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

### Is PDF Scanner free?

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

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

PDF Scanner is rated higher. PDF Reader averages 4.7 out of 5 from 64 ratings, while PDF Scanner averages 4.8 from 6 ratings.

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

Both PDF Reader and PDF Scanner show ads.

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

PDF Reader ships an update every 6 days, and PDF Scanner every 4 weeks. Most recently, PDF Reader was updated on October 3, 2026 and PDF Scanner on October 1, 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.*