Comparison

Paperless 24 vs Foundation Buddy

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

Head to head
About

Paperless 24

Features
Read full description

Paperless 24 puts your document archive on your iPhone and iPad. The app talks straight to your own paperless-ngx server — no detour through someone else's cloud, no subscription, no account with us. SCAN AND FILE • Document scanner with edge detection, multi-page • Quick scan: scan and upload without the form — your server handles title, date and assignment • Photos, PDFs and other files from your library or the Files app, several at once • Drive a network scanner over Wi-Fi (AirScan/eSCL, 300 dpi) • Batch scan: feed a whole stack at once — the app splits it into separate documents, and one tap corrects a wrong split • Send anything into the archive from any other app via the share sheet NAMED FOR YOU • The magic wand reads the first page and suggests title, correspondent, type, tags and date • Missing correspondents, types and tags are created along the way • It all runs on device — the text never leaves your iPhone FIND • Full-text search across the recognised text of every document, with search history • Filter by tag, correspondent, type, date range and custom fields • Load, apply and create saved views from your server • Spotlight: your documents show up in iOS search • Ask your archive: put a question in your own words and get an answer with its sources READ AND EDIT • PDF view with search hits highlighted • Recognised text in reading mode: warm paper tone, serif type, adjustable size • Phone numbers, links and addresses are tappable • Summary at the press of a button • Translate with no connection needed • Change title, date, correspondent, type, ASN, tags and custom fields • Add and delete notes • Create, list and revoke share links STAY ON TOP OF IT • Overview: inbox, deadlines due, pinned documents and saved views on one page — can be turned off • Inbox as its own tab, with a badge • Swipe to tag, edit or delete • Multi-select: set a tag or correspondent on many documents at once • Manage tags, correspondents and types — nested tags included • Trash with restore and permanent delete • Custom fields of every kind: text, number, date, select, yes/no, monetary, document link OFFLINE • Download everything and read it with no connection • Edits and uploads are queued and sent automatically once you are back • Storage use always visible, single files removable MULTIPLE ACCOUNTS • As many servers and users as you like, with separate data per account • Face ID or Touch ID lock • Two-factor sign-in (TOTP) • Sign in with a password or an API token (for SSO/OIDC) • Credentials live in the iOS keychain ON EVERY DEVICE • Widget with your latest documents or an overview • Siri and Shortcuts: scan, search, open inbox, ask your archive • A notification when new post lands in the inbox • Three-column layout on iPad • Settings kept in sync across devices via iCloud • Six colour themes, a free accent colour, OLED black, five alternative app icons • German, English, French, Spanish, Italian, Dutch WHAT YOU NEED Paperless 24 is a client app. You need your own paperless-ngx server (version 2.x through 3.0.x). Without one, try the demo mode with sample data at any time. PRIVACY The app only ever talks to your server. No tracking, no ads, no analytics, no relay servers. Summaries, suggestions and translations run on device.

About

Foundation Buddy

This AI assistant provides helpful answers, explanations, and creative ideas tailored to your needs. It offers customizable profiles and response styles, with all processing done directly on your device for enhanced privacy. Ideal for learning, problem-solving, or coding assistance.

Highlights
  • Personalized AI assistant
  • Customizable profiles and response styles
  • On-device AI processing for privacy
  • Voice output with system voice selection
  • Face ID app protection
  • Share and copy/regenerate responses
Features
Read full description

Buddy ist dein persönlicher KI-Assistent für den Alltag – direkt auf deinem iPhone. Stelle Fragen, entwickle Ideen, lerne neue Themen kennen oder lass dir bei anspruchsvollen Aufgaben helfen. Dank verschiedener Profile passt sich Buddy an deine Bedürfnisse an: vom freundlichen Assistenten über den Lernbegleiter bis zum Software-Entwickler. Das bietet Buddy: • Hilfreiche Antworten und verständliche Erklärungen • Verschiedene Profile für unterschiedliche Aufgaben • Individuell einstellbarer Antwortstil • Eigene Anweisungen für persönliche Antworten • Sprachausgabe mit wählbarer Systemstimme • Startvorschläge passend zum gewählten Profil • Schutz der App durch Face ID • Teilen von Texten und Inhalten mit Buddy • Kopieren und erneutes Erzeugen von Antworten Privatsphäre steht im Mittelpunkt: Deine Unterhaltungen und die KI-Verarbeitung bleiben auf deinem Gerät. So kannst du Buddy nutzen, ohne deine Gespräche an einen externen KI-Dienst senden zu müssen. Ob du eine schnelle Antwort brauchst, etwas lernen möchtest, neue Ideen suchst oder Unterstützung beim Programmieren benötigst – Buddy begleitet dich unkompliziert und persönlich. Voraussetzung ist ein kompatibles Gerät, auf dem Apples gerätebasiertes Foundation Model verfügbar ist.

Screenshots

Paperless 244 screens
Foundation Buddy4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Paperless 24 at Free against Foundation Buddy's $0.99. Paperless 24 also leads on iOS requirement (18.0 vs 27.0). Foundation Buddy's advantage is update cadence (daily vs every 5 days). On ads, 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

Paperless 24 is free to download; Foundation Buddy costs $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Paperless 24 ships an update every 5 days, Foundation Buddy daily. The most recent releases landed on October 28, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 5 level
Paperless 24 versus Foundation Buddy: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPaperless 24Foundation Buddy
PriceFree — better$0.99
Positive reviews—0.0% of reviews
Update frequencyEvery 5 daysDaily — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetization—Paid
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.0 — better27.0
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperThomas DillmannMichael Reimann

In-app purchases

None

Paperless 24

No in-app purchases

None

Foundation Buddy

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Paperless 24 free?
Paperless 24 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Foundation Buddy free?
Foundation Buddy costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Paperless 24 or Foundation Buddy have ads?
Neither Paperless 24 nor Foundation Buddy shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Paperless 24 or Foundation Buddy?
Paperless 24 ships an update every 5 days, and Foundation Buddy daily. Most recently, Paperless 24 was updated on October 28, 2026 and Foundation Buddy on October 31, 2026.

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