Comparison

PDFiles vs BlockLab

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

Head to head
About

PDFiles

Features
Read full description

PDFiles is a fast, private PDF scanner for iPhone. Scan documents, receipts, invoices, notes and forms into clean PDFs and save them directly to the Files app. What makes PDFiles different is the workflow. Choose a Files folder once, then every scan lands there automatically. No export maze, no repeated folder picking, no account and no cloud upload required. New in 2.0: faster batch scanning for real documents. Detect several documents in one camera image, choose the pages you want and set the final PDF order by the order you tap them. Scan multiple pages without an artificial 25-page limit. Keep the camera open, collect pages in a scan stack and save one multi-page PDF when you're done. Need to scan book pages, sheet music or two A4 pages side by side? Double Page Mode splits one photo into separate PDF pages. Move or delete the divider before saving. PDFiles also lets you fine-tune every scan. Adjust corners and edges, use the magnifier for precise placement or add a manual scan area when automatic detection misses something. Use PDFiles for: • documents • receipts • invoices • contracts • forms • notes • letters • sheet music • book pages Features: • Scan documents to PDF • Save PDFs directly to the Files app • Choose a default Files folder • Detect multiple documents in one photo • Create several PDF pages from one camera image • Scan longer documents without a 25-page limit • Keep scanning and save one multi-page PDF at the end • Split double-page scans into separate pages • Reorder pages before saving • Merge documents into one PDF • Compress PDFs to reduce file size • Adjust corners and edges manually • Add a manual scan area • Use A4, A3 and US Letter paper formats • Organize folders with colors • Switch target folders quickly Privacy first: Scans are processed locally on your iPhone with iOS and Apple frameworks. No account is required. No cloud upload is required. Your documents stay under your control. PDFiles is made for people who want a simple PDF scanner that gets documents into the right folder fast.

About

BlockLab

This app helps you regain focus by blocking distracting applications during designated work or study periods. It utilizes system-level protections to ensure uninterrupted concentration, offering customizable profiles and scheduled blocking for consistent productivity.

Highlights
  • System-level app blocking
  • Customizable Focus Profiles
  • Scheduled blocking
  • Manual focus sessions
  • Grace period before blocking
  • No subscriptions or ads
Features
Read full description

Your phone is designed to distract you. BlockLab is designed to stop it. BlockLab uses Apple's Screen Time framework to block distracting apps during focus sessions and scheduled blocks — the same system-level protection built into iOS, with a cleaner, more intentional interface built around how you actually work. Focus your way Create Focus Profiles with the exact apps you want blocked. Start a manual session when you need to lock in, or set a recurring schedule so blocking happens automatically — no willpower required. Real blocking, not suggestions When a session is active, blocked apps are shielded at the system level. There's no sneaking past it. Grace Period Need a moment before a block kicks in? BlockLab gives you a grace period so you can wrap up what you're doing before focus mode takes over. Pay once. Use forever. No subscription. No monthly fee. No paywalled features. Buy BlockLab once and it's yours. BlockLab is for people who want a simple, honest tool — not an app that gamifies your attention or monetizes your habits.

Screenshots

PDFiles4 screens
BlockLab3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: BlockLab at 16.4 against PDFiles's 26.2. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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. PDFiles sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and BlockLab sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 8 level
PDFiles versus BlockLab: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPDFilesBlockLab
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS26.216.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLukas Daniel KoflerDaniel Catinella

In-app purchases

1 purchases

PDFiles

One-time1
  • PDFiles Pro$1.99
1 purchases

BlockLab

One-time1
  • BlockLab Premium$2.99

Questions

Is PDFiles free?
PDFiles is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is BlockLab free?
BlockLab is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do PDFiles or BlockLab have ads?
Neither PDFiles nor BlockLab shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PDFiles or BlockLab?
PDFiles ships an update every 2 weeks, and BlockLab every 2 weeks. Most recently, PDFiles was updated on November 5, 2026 and BlockLab on October 31, 2026.

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