Comparison

PDF Masker vs Redact Zero

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

Head to head
About

PDF Masker

Easily mask sensitive keywords in PDF files before sharing. Import PDFs, specify multiple keywords, and customize redaction colors. Export as text or image-based PDFs for secure data sharing.

Highlights
  • Import PDFs via Share menu
  • Bulk keyword redaction
  • Export as text or image PDF
  • Multiple keyword support
  • Customizable redaction color
  • Save keyword histories
Features
Read full description

Protect your sensitive information before sharing files with others. PDF Masker is a powerful security tool that lets you search and black out specific keywords across your PDF documents automatically. Import any PDF directly from your device using the Share menu. Enter your target keywords, and the app instantly hides matching text so you can send your documents safely. You can choose to export your final file as a searchable text-based PDF or as an image-based PDF. The image-based option is perfect when you want to permanently erase underlying text data so it can never be copied or recovered. Key Features - Smart Bulk Redaction: Enter a keyword and automatically mask every single match across the entire document. - Multiple Keywords Support: Separate multiple terms using spaces or commas to clear different pieces of data at once. - 100 Item History Tracker: Saves up to 100 of your frequently used keywords so you can reapply them with a single tap. - Custom Redaction Colors: Change the color of your redaction blocks from classic blackout to white or any custom tone. - Flexible File Loading: Easily load files from your system file picker, in-app web browser, or straight from other apps via the Share extension. - 100 Percent Offline Security: All processing happens locally on your phone or tablet. Your private and confidential documents are never sent to external servers. - Clean and Fast User Interface: Designed to be clean, fast, and simple for everyone, with no complex setup required. Whether you are hiding account numbers, blurred names, personal addresses, or sensitive corporate contracts, PDF Masker helps you prevent data leaks on the go.

About

Redact Zero

Permanently hide sensitive information in documents with advanced redaction technology. This app flattens redactions directly into the image and re-scans to ensure data is unrecoverable. It offers automatic detection of PII and manual redaction tools, with all processing done on-device.

Highlights
  • Permanent redaction flattening
  • Automatic PII detection
  • On-device processing
  • Scan and import documents
  • Verified unrecoverable confirmation
  • Metadata stripping
Features
Read full description

Redact Zero permanently hides sensitive information in your documents — and proves it. Most "redaction" apps just draw a black box on top, or blur the text. Both can be undone. Redact Zero flattens the redaction directly into the image and then re-scans the result to confirm the hidden text can't be recovered. When you see "Verified unrecoverable," it means it. Everything happens on your device. Your documents are never uploaded. SCAN OR IMPORT • Scan paper documents with your camera • Import photos or existing PDFs FINDS SENSITIVE INFO AUTOMATICALLY • Names, faces, and dates of birth • Social Security numbers and credit-card numbers (validated) • Emails, phone numbers, and addresses • Account, routing, member, and policy numbers • Passport / ID machine-readable zones Tap to choose what to hide — the obvious items are pre-selected — or paint over anything by hand. TRULY UNRECOVERABLE • Solid redactions are flattened into the pixels, not overlaid • The export is re-scanned to confirm the text is gone • Metadata is stripped; a brand-new file is created BUILT FOR REAL WORK • Export redacted PDFs or images, or save to Photos • Multi-page and batch redaction • Zoom in for precise, small-text redaction • iPad: split-view workspace with a sensitive-info inspector • Apple Pencil: draw redactions while your finger pans, pressure-sensitive width, double-tap to switch tools PRO Redact Zero is free to use, up to a monthly limit. Upgrade to Pro for unlimited redactions, PDF import/export, batch, the "Verified Unrecoverable" report, and compliance presets (HIPAA Safe Harbor, Mortgage/SSN, Blind Résumé). Perfect for real estate and mortgage, healthcare, legal, HR, and anyone who shares documents that contain private information. SUBSCRIPTION DETAILS Redact Zero Pro is available as an auto-renewable subscription: • Annual — $9.99 per year, including a 7-day free trial • Monthly — $1.99 per month A one-time Lifetime unlock is also available for $19.99 (not a subscription). Payment is charged to your Apple Account at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions renew automatically unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel your subscription in your Apple Account settings. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://logikalmayhem.com/privacy

Screenshots

PDF Masker4 screens
Redact Zero3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Redact Zero at 100% against PDF Masker's 0%. Redact Zero also leads on rating (4.8 vs 2.0) and ads (none vs shown). PDF Masker's advantage is monetization model (ad-supported vs free with in-app purchases) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.0). On price, in-app purchases and device support 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. PDF Masker sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Redact Zero sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Redact Zero holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 2.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Redact Zero has 5 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of PDF Masker's written reviews are positive against 100% of Redact Zero's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PDF Masker ships an update monthly, Redact Zero every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
PDF Masker versus Redact Zero: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPDF MaskerRedact Zero
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.0 (1 ratings)4.8 (5 ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings15 — better
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 10 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationAd-supported — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size14 MB10 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKazuhisa KobayashiLogikal Mayhem LLC

Customer experience

PDF Masker

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

Redact Zero

All ratings5 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

PDF Masker

One-time1
  • Remove Ads$4.99
3 purchases

Redact Zero

Subscriptions2
  • Redact Zero Pro Monthly$1.991 Month
  • Redact Zero Pro Annual7 Days trial$9.991 Year
One-time1
  • Redact Zero Pro Lifetime$19.99

Questions

Is PDF Masker free?
PDF Masker is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Redact Zero free?
Redact Zero is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, PDF Masker or Redact Zero?
Redact Zero is rated higher. PDF Masker averages 2.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Redact Zero averages 4.8 from 5 ratings.
Do PDF Masker or Redact Zero have ads?
PDF Masker shows ads; Redact Zero does not.
Which is updated more often, PDF Masker or Redact Zero?
PDF Masker ships an update monthly, and Redact Zero every 10 days. Most recently, PDF Masker was updated on October 15, 2026 and Redact Zero on October 5, 2026.

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