# PDF Reader vs PixelQR Scan

The clearest difference is review sentiment: PixelQR Scan at 100% against PDF Reader's 50%. PDF Reader's advantage is rating (4.7 vs 3.7) and ratings volume (64 vs 3). On price, update cadence, 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.

PDF Reader holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PDF Reader has 64 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 50% of PDF Reader's written reviews are positive against 100% of PixelQR Scan's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

PDF Reader ships an update every 6 days, PixelQR Scan every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 3, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | PDF Reader | PixelQR Scan |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (64 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-reader-viewer/id6746119431/reviews)** | [3.7 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pixelqr-scan/id6781202801/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **64** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 days** | Every 9 days |
| Monetization | Ad-supported | Ad-supported |
| Size | 116 MB | 78 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16** | 17.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [All About Housing LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1773925650) | [Fuzhou Zhiyue Interactive Technology Co.,Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/6781202803) |

## 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


### PixelQR Scan

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pixelqr-scan/id6781202801)

Easily scan QR codes and barcodes from your camera or photos. Create custom codes for various content types, style them, and manage your history. Offers quick actions and local data storage for privacy.

**Highlights:** QR code and barcode scanning, Image-based code recognition, QR code creation, Styled code output, Local history and export, Home Screen quick actions

**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 PixelQR Scan free?

PixelQR Scan is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, PDF Reader or PixelQR Scan?

PDF Reader is rated higher. PDF Reader averages 4.7 out of 5 from 64 ratings, while PixelQR Scan averages 3.7 from 3 ratings.

### Do PDF Reader or PixelQR Scan have ads?

Both PDF Reader and PixelQR Scan show ads.

### Which is updated more often, PDF Reader or PixelQR Scan?

PDF Reader ships an update every 6 days, and PixelQR Scan every 9 days. Most recently, PDF Reader was updated on October 3, 2026 and PixelQR Scan on October 12, 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.*