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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Scanner vs CamScanner

Scanner 4.7★ · Free + IAP 55
Winner CamScanner
CamScanner 4.8★ · Free + IAP 60

CamScanner is generally preferred for its scanning quality and reliability, despite both apps facing significant criticism regarding aggressive monetization and subscription practices.

Full reviews: Scanner · CamScanner

Both Scanner and CamScanner offer document scanning capabilities, but recent user experiences highlight major issues with intrusive ads, hidden charges, and subscription management for both. CamScanner appears to have a slight edge in scanning quality and overall functionality, although its aggressive monetization tactics are a significant drawback.

Head to head

Features and Scanning Quality edge: CamScannerR2R6R11R16
Scanner Users praise Scanner for its clear and easy scans, making documents look professional and not just like pictures R2R11. However, some recent updates have negatively impacted the free version's cropping and auto-detection features R16. The free version also has a 10-page limit and adds a logo/watermark R6.
CamScanner CamScanner is widely appreciated for its effectiveness in scanning documents, converting them to PDF, and organizing files . Users find it a convenient and instrumental tool for work . However, some recent updates, particularly those involving AI, have led to washed-out scans or made the enhance feature less effective . The free version also includes watermarks .
Ease of Use tieR5R8R17R28
Scanner Many users find Scanner to be very user-friendly, simple, straightforward, and easy to use for scanning and sharing documents R5R8R17R28.
CamScanner CamScanner is also frequently described as easy to use, convenient, and intuitive for scanning and sending documents . However, some users find it not always a quick or easy experience .
Reliability and Performance tieR1R2R11R18
Scanner While some users report Scanner works well R2R11, others experience issues like the app not working at all R1, glitches R18, and buttons getting stuck . One user reported losing 100 scanned pages after the app crashed .
CamScanner CamScanner generally performs well for scanning . However, some users report documents getting stuck during upload or disappearing after updates R64. Issues with emailing converted PDFs have also been noted .
Price and Value (Free vs. Paid) tieR4R6R7R9
Scanner Scanner's free version is heavily criticized for being unusable due to excessive ads R9R15R18, watermarks , and limitations like a 10-page limit R6. Many feel forced to upgrade R15. Paid users report hidden charges, being overcharged, or charged after cancellation R4R7R23R31. The app is perceived by some as a 'scam' due to these practices R16R23R31.
CamScanner CamScanner also faces significant backlash for its aggressive monetization. Users complain about too many ads, even for paying subscribers . Many feel pressured to pay for basic functions . There are numerous reports of unexpected charges, automatic renewals without notification, and difficulty canceling subscriptions, leading users to feel 'scammed' .
Support and Trust edge: ScannerR3R4R7R23
Scanner Users report issues with Scanner's subscription management, including charges after cancellation and difficulty getting help R4R7R23R31. Some ads are described as 'scareware' or inappropriate R3R25.
CamScanner CamScanner users also report significant trust issues, including automatic renewals without notification, difficulty getting refunds, and lack of support . There are serious allegations of files disappearing R64, inability to delete files from the cloud R70, and even claims of stealing information or dropping Trojans .
Pick Scanner if

You need a very simple, straightforward scanner for occasional use and are willing to tolerate frequent ads or pay for a subscription, being vigilant about charges R2R5R8.

Pick CamScanner if

You need a robust scanning tool for organizing documents, converting to PDF, and value features like pixel sharpening, and are prepared to navigate aggressive subscription models and potential ad interruptions .

Evidence note: Both apps have a high lifetime rating, but recent reviews are heavily skewed negative, primarily due to aggressive monetization, intrusive ads, and subscription issues. The free-vs-paid asymmetry is very pronounced, with free users of both apps reporting an unusable experience due to ads and paywalls, while paid users often report being scammed or overcharged. This makes a direct comparison challenging as many positive reviews for both apps predate the most severe monetization complaints.

Frequently asked

Are Scanner and CamScanner truly free to use?
No, while both Scanner and CamScanner offer a 'free' version, users widely report that these versions are severely limited, virtually unusable due to excessive ads, watermarks, and paywalls for basic features R6R9R10R15.
Do these apps have hidden charges or issues with subscriptions?
Yes, both Scanner and CamScanner have numerous user complaints about hidden charges, being overcharged, unexpected automatic renewals, and difficulty canceling subscriptions, with some users reporting charges of around $50/month or $60/year without consent R4R7R23R31.
Are there concerns about privacy or security with these apps?
Users of Scanner have reported inappropriate 'scareware' or pornographic ads appearing within the app R3R25. CamScanner has more severe allegations, with users claiming files disappeared after updates R64, inability to delete files from their cloud R70, and even accusations of stealing information or dropping Trojans .

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R2] Scanner 5/5 · US Clear and easy scan: This little handy dandy scanner on my phone sure makes my life a lot easier it scans really simply and attach all documents together as a group making it easier to forward to myself and save on my computer when I don’t have my Scanner handy to be honest it’s even better than my Scanner because I don’t have to get up and go and literally do it at my desk
  2. [R6] Scanner 3/5 · US Decent app, but there are problems: Decent scanner app for short PDFs. However, the free version has a page limit of 10 pages (it really is 9). Additionally, the pages slightly differ in size and there is a logo in the lower right hand corner of every page that can interfere with the information being scanned.
  3. [R11] Scanner 5/5 · US The scanner actually works: Typically, I hate downloading anything that has to do with iPhones because it’s always an extra surcharge, but I will say that I was able to use the app do my conversion with no problem and it doesn’t look like a picture. It looks scanned and professional so I actually decided to leave a comment cause it actually work.
  4. [R16] Scanner 1/5 · US More like Scammer app: I had been using this scanner app happily for a couple of years now. I’m a college student and I need to be able to scan handwritten work to submit as a pdf. Three months ago, I would have rated this app 5/5 stars, but the last few updates have made the free version of this app nearly unusable. The app no longer allows me to take a wider picture and crop out what I want. Th
  5. [R5] Scanner 5/5 · US Scanner - Scan PDF: This App is very user friendly.
  6. [R8] Scanner 5/5 · US COO: Simple straightforward
  7. [R17] Scanner 5/5 · US Great apps: Easy to use!
  8. [R28] Scanner 5/5 · US Fast and easy!: Great way to scan documents with your phone to a PDF and send it via e-mail! Easy to use!
  9. [R1] Scanner 1/5 · US Does not work: Very disappointed
  10. [R18] Scanner 3/5 · GB It does the job: A bit glitchy and the constant ads are annoying but it does the job well
  11. [R4] Scanner 1/5 · US Hidden charges: I paid for 9.99 a month but somehow I ended up paying around 50 dollars a month and I don’t even use this app! They were taking money from me for soo long and I didn’t know it
  12. [R7] Scanner 1/5 · US Scammed me: Over charged me not 1 time but 2 times!
  13. [R9] Scanner 3/5 · US Ok: Too many adds
  14. [R3] Scanner 3/5 · US Ads appear compromised: Lately I’ve been getting ads of what is called scareware telling me I have viruses on my phone or my accounts are locked and asking me to download. I’ve had a tech perform a security scan and my phone is clean so I’ve course I’m not intending on clicking on the compromised ads. I’ll be deleting and using another application for my pdf needs
  15. [R23] Scanner 1/5 · US Noo it’s other options that are better and won’t steal your money after you cancel.: Would not recommend
  16. [R10] Scanner 2/5 · US Good scanner app but not free: No free version
  17. [R15] Scanner 3/5 · US Pretty alright app: It’s not horrible, but it’s not great. It’s fine for what it needs to be used for, a scanner. But it’s basically forcing you to upgrade to premium; obscene amount of ads, no unpaid text recognition, ect. Pretty annoying. But overall, it’s fine.
  18. [R31] Scanner 1/5 · US Scammer: They continue to charge you after you cancel your subcription. I notice it 3 months after I ended the subscription. It shows on your statement as PADDLENET LUNI. Bewear, scamming company. I have to call my cc to dispute the charges! How is this app allowed on APPLE store?
  19. [R25] Scanner 1/5 · US Porn advertisement display!!: Temu advertisers is using pornography as a way to get people to click on pictures. It is inappropriate and should be removed right away if children could be using this.
  20. [R64] CamScanner 1/5 · US Sketchy Upgrade Stealing Information: There’s been a new upgrade and all the files that I’ve had scanned in the past which were important documents suddenly have disappeared. I’m super frustrated and will escalate this case because this is completely unethical.
  21. [R70] CamScanner 1/5 · US No way to delete completely: If you you transfer via link it uploads your file to the cloud and no way to then delete the file. Ever

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store