SoloPDF vs Sheaf
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
SoloPDF
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SoloPDF is a clean, fast, fully local PDF reader — no ads, no account, nothing ever uploaded. • Reading: multiple tabs, outline, page thumbnails, full-text search, fit-width/fit-page zoom. Huge files open instantly thanks to on-demand loading. • Highlights become notes: highlight any text and the annotation is saved as a Markdown notes file (.annotations.md) right next to the PDF — open, edit, and version it with any editor (including our SoloMD). solopdf:// links inside the notes jump straight back to the highlighted passage. • Forms: fill AcroForm PDFs (text fields, checkboxes, dropdowns) and save the result. • Export to Markdown: turn a whole PDF into a Markdown document, outline headings included. • Dark mode with smart page inversion for comfortable night reading. • Interface in English, 简体中文, 繁體中文, and 日本語. Everything runs on your device. No network calls, no data collection.
Sheaf
This app offers offline document scanning, OCR, and organization with reminders. It allows importing various file types, searching text, and managing records using categories and tags, all while prioritizing local data processing for privacy.
- Offline OCR in 12 languages
- Import PDFs, Word, Excel, TXT
- Full-text search
- Category and tag organization
- Local reminders
- Local-first privacy
- Optional iCloud sync
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Sheaf brings document scanning, offline OCR, file organization, and reminders into one workspace built around local processing. Capture paper or import photos, PDFs, Word, Excel, and TXT files, search extracted text, and organize records with categories, tags, notes, and reminders. IMPORT AND ORGANIZE • Import PDFs, Word, Excel, and TXT files from Photos or the system file picker without scanning them again. • Preview TXT content, see text-based thumbnails, and include it in full-text search while keeping the original file unchanged. • View categories as a list or grid, pin and reorder them by dragging, and choose icons and colors for categories and tags. SCAN AND ENHANCE • Detect document edges, correct perspective, and capture multiple pages in one flow. • Choose Original, Enhanced, Grayscale, or Black & White, then adjust edges, rotation, and page order. OFFLINE OCR IN 13 LANGUAGES • Supports Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, English, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Italian, Russian, Arabic, and Hindi. • OCR models are included with the app. Images and recognized text are not sent to a remote recognition server. • Copy recognized text or use full-text search to find information across your library. SMART ORGANIZATION AND REMINDERS • Use recognized content to help generate file names, dates, and category suggestions. • Build a filing system with categories, tags, notes, and full-text search. • Add local reminders for contracts, IDs, receipts, and other records that need attention. LOCAL-FIRST PRIVACY, iCLOUD SYNC, AND BACKUP • No Sheaf account or developer-operated server is required. Scans, imported files, OCR text, and search indexes stay on your device by default. • On iPhone and iPad, Pro users can optionally sync selected files through the private CloudKit database of their Apple ID. Sync is off by default, and private content has a separate off-by-default switch. • Pause sync or remove Sheaf’s iCloud records and assets without deleting local files. • Protect important categories with system authentication and hide sensitive files. • Create an encrypted local backup that you choose where to store and manage. FREE AND PRO Free includes scanning, import, viewing, basic editing, file management, and a cumulative 20-page local OCR trial. Sheaf Pro is a one-time purchase on this platform that unlocks the complete local Pro feature set, expanded OCR and organization tools, optional iCloud sync on iOS/iPadOS, private space, encrypted backup, advanced page tools, and watermark-free eligible shared copies. Purchases and restoration are handled by the App Store. There is no subscription or separate watermark product.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: SoloPDF at none against Sheaf's 1. Sheaf's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs every 2 weeks). On price, ads, 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
Both are free to download. Sheaf sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. SoloPDF asks for nothing beyond the download.
SoloPDF ships an update every 2 weeks, Sheaf every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SoloPDF | Sheaf |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 1.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Number of ratings | — | 1 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Every 3 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | — | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 16 MB | 168 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | 向东 李 | 闻俊 王 |
In-app purchases
SoloPDF
No in-app purchases
Sheaf
- Sheaf Pro Lifetime$9.99









