# Scanner vs PDF Tools

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: PDF Tools at none against Scanner's 3. PDF Tools also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.5 vs 17.0). Scanner's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Scanner sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per 7 days. PDF Tools asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scanner ships an update every 11 days, PDF Tools weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Scanner | PDF Tools |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 11 days | **Weekly** |
| Size | 22 MB | 35 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **15.5** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Cricket Live Line](https://appshunter.io/developer/6774190521) | [VENTRYDIGITAL TECHNOLOGY LTD](https://appshunter.io/developer/1895929583) |

## What reviewers say

### Scanner

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scanner-scan-documents-to-pdf/id6776681075)

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Scan+ Pro Weekly | $5.99 | per 7 days |
| Scan+ Pro Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Scan+ Pro Yearly | $39.99 | per year |


### PDF Tools

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-tools-scan-merge-split/id6784175522)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Scanner free?

Scanner is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is PDF Tools free?

PDF Tools is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Scanner or PDF Tools have ads?

PDF Tools shows ads; Scanner does not.

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

Scanner ships an update every 11 days, and PDF Tools weekly. Most recently, Scanner was updated on October 19, 2026 and PDF Tools on October 8, 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.*