# PDF Reader vs PDF Scanner

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: PDF Reader at none against PDF Scanner's 1. PDF Reader also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.6). PDF Scanner's advantage is update cadence (every 10 days vs every 2 months). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. PDF Scanner sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $7.99 per year. PDF Reader asks for nothing beyond the download.

PDF Reader ships an update every 2 months, PDF Scanner every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on September 9, 2026 and September 6, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | PDF Reader | PDF Scanner |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 10 days** |
| Size | 28 MB | 15 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 18.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Shyam Limbani](https://appshunter.io/developer/1822740959) | [Harsh Patel](https://appshunter.io/developer/1896508611) |

## What reviewers say

### PDF Reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-reader-edit-and-view-pdf/id6747752604)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### PDF Scanner

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-scanner-tap-scanner/id6779968919)

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| one year subscription | $7.99 | per year |


## 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 in-app purchases available.

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

Neither PDF Reader nor PDF Scanner shows ads.

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

PDF Reader ships an update every 2 months, and PDF Scanner every 10 days. Most recently, PDF Reader was updated on September 9, 2026 and PDF Scanner on September 6, 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.*