Comparison

PDF Reader vs PDF Creator

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

Head to head
About

PDF Reader

This app allows you to scan, read, edit, and manage PDF documents on your iPhone and iPad. Features include OCR text extraction, annotation tools, digital signatures, and file organization.

Highlights
  • Scan documents with camera
  • Convert photos to PDF
  • Extract text with OCR
  • Annotate and highlight PDFs
  • Add digital signatures
  • Merge and split PDFs
  • Password protection
Features
Read full description

PDF Reader is your all-in-one app to read, scan, edit, and manage PDF documents on iPhone and iPad. SCAN & CREATE • Scan paper documents with your camera and save them as crisp PDFs • Convert photos and images into PDF files • Extract text from scans and PDFs with OCR READ & VIEW • Smooth, fast PDF viewer with page thumbnails and search • Open PDFs from Files, email, and other apps EDIT & ANNOTATE • Highlight, draw, and add text to any PDF • Add your signature to sign documents • Rotate, delete, and reorder pages ORGANIZE YOUR TOOLS • Merge multiple PDFs into one • Split a PDF into separate files • Lock and unlock PDFs with a password • Manage files with search and a recycle bin PDF READER PREMIUM Upgrade to Premium to remove ads and unlock the full toolset: • OCR text recognition • Edit & sign without limits • Unlimited access to all PDF tools • An ad-free experience Subscription details: • PDF Reader Premium is a weekly auto-renewable subscription. • Payment is charged to your Apple Account at confirmation of purchase. • The subscription renews automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. • Manage or cancel anytime in your App Store account settings. • Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ • Privacy Policy: https://goldenboat.io/policy

About

PDF Creator

This app transforms your iPhone into a comprehensive PDF workstation. It allows you to create, edit, scan, convert, compress, and sign PDF documents efficiently. Designed for various users, it offers a fast, intuitive, and privacy-focused experience for all your document needs.

Highlights
  • Create PDF files from photos and scans
  • Edit PDF content, add text and images
  • High-quality document scanner
  • Convert various file formats to PDF
  • Compress PDF file sizes
  • Add digital signatures to documents
  • Organize and manage PDF pages
Features
Read full description

PDF Creator: Editor & Converter Transform your iPhone into a powerful PDF workstation. PDF Creator: Editor & Converter is an all-in-one solution for creating, editing, scanning, converting, compressing, signing, and managing PDF documents anytime, anywhere. Designed for professionals, students, business owners, and everyday users, the app delivers essential document tools in a fast, intuitive, and privacy-focused experience. Whether you're creating PDFs from images, editing contracts, scanning receipts, compressing files for email, or converting documents between formats, PDF Creator helps you get the job done in seconds. ALL-IN-ONE PDF TOOLKIT • Create PDF Files: Generate professional PDF documents from photos, scanned pages, screenshots, notes, and existing files. • Edit PDFs Easily: Modify PDF content, add text, insert images, place annotations, and customize documents without needing a desktop computer. Advanced PDF Scanner: Turn your camera into a high-quality document scanner. Capture receipts, invoices, contracts, business documents, notes, forms, and multi-page documents with automatic edge detection and enhancement. • Convert Files to PDF: Quickly convert popular file formats into PDF - JPG to PDF - PNG to PDF - Image to PDF - Word to PDF - Excel to PDF - Document to PDF • PDF Compression: Reduce PDF file size while preserving document quality. Perfect for sharing large files through email, cloud storage, and messaging apps. • PDF Signature Tools: Create digital signatures and sign documents securely. Resize, reposition, and save signatures for future use. • Add Text & Links: Insert custom text, hyperlinks, notes, and annotations into any PDF document. • Organize PDF Pages: Merge PDFs, reorder pages, rotate pages, duplicate pages, split documents, and remove unwanted pages with ease. • PDF Viewer & Reader: Open, view, and manage documents instantly using a fast and responsive PDF reader. • Share Anywhere: Export and share PDF files with colleagues, clients, classmates, friends, and family directly from your device. WHY USERS LOVE PDF CREATOR - Fast PDF Creation - Powerful PDF Editor - Built-in Document Scanner - Easy File Conversion - Smart PDF Compression - Digital Signature Support - Modern & Simple Interface - No Subscription Required - No Hidden Charges - No Ads PERFECT FOR • Business Professionals: Edit contracts, sign agreements, manage invoices, and share important documents while on the go. • Students: Scan notes, create assignments, convert images to PDFs, and organize study materials. • Small Businesses: Digitize paperwork, process receipts, manage reports, and simplify document workflows. • Remote Workers: Handle PDF files, forms, and business documents directly from your mobile device. Download PDF Creator: Editor & Converter today and experience a faster, smarter way to create, edit, scan, convert, compress, and share PDF documents from your iPhone.

Screenshots

PDF Reader4 screens
PDF Creator4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: PDF Creator at 5.0 against PDF Reader's 4.2. PDF Creator also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ads (none vs shown). PDF Reader's advantage is ratings volume (108 vs 5) and chart position (#172 vs unranked). On price, update cadence, device support and iOS requirement 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 Reader sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per 7 days. PDF Creator asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

PDF Creator holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PDF Reader has 108 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 75% of PDF Reader's written reviews are positive against 100% of PDF Creator's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
PDF Reader versus PDF Creator: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPDF ReaderPDF Creator
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (108 ratings)5.0 (5 ratings) — better
Positive reviews75.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings108 — better5
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 3 weeks
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
Best chart rank#172 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size22 MB10 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDuc Duong TranHardik Khanesa

Customer experience

PDF Reader

All ratings108 ratings
Positive79.6%
Neutral4.6%
Negative15.7%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%

PDF Creator

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

PDF Reader

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Weekly3 Days trial$9.997 Days
  • Premium Weekly3 Days trial$14.997 Days
None

PDF Creator

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is PDF Reader free?
PDF Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PDF Creator free?
PDF Creator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, PDF Reader or PDF Creator?
PDF Creator is rated higher. PDF Reader averages 4.2 out of 5 from 108 ratings, while PDF Creator averages 5.0 from 5 ratings.
Do PDF Reader or PDF Creator have ads?
PDF Reader shows ads; PDF Creator does not.
Which is updated more often, PDF Reader or PDF Creator?
PDF Reader ships an update every 3 weeks, and PDF Creator every 3 weeks. Most recently, PDF Reader was updated on October 30, 2026 and PDF Creator on October 28, 2026.

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