Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Scanner vs Scanner Mini

Scanner 4.7★ · Free + IAP 40
Winner Scanner Mini
Scanner Mini 4.9★ · Free + IAP 70

Scanner Mini is the better choice for reliable scanning, despite recent changes, while Scanner is plagued by aggressive monetization and billing issues.

Full reviews: Scanner · Scanner Mini

Scanner Mini offers a generally reliable scanning experience with good quality, though recent updates and a forced migration to a paid 'Pro' version have caused user frustration. Scanner, while praised for ease of use by some, is heavily criticized for excessive ads, watermarks, and alleged hidden charges and billing scams.

Head to head

Scanning Quality & Features edge: Scanner MiniR2R6R11R13
Scanner Scanner users report clear and professional-looking scans, with some finding it better than physical scanners R2R11. However, the free version has a page limit, adds a logo, and some users experience poor image quality R6R13. Recent updates have also reportedly worsened auto-cropping and made the free version unusable for some R37.
Scanner Mini Scanner Mini is praised for producing high-quality, clear scans and good resolution . Users appreciate its auto-scan feature . However, some recent updates have led to issues with automatic image capturing and edge detection, with the app frequently telling users to 'get closer' .
Ease of Use tieR2R5R8R17
Scanner Many Scanner users find it very user-friendly, simple, and straightforward R5R8R17. It's described as easy to scan, save, and share documents R2.
Scanner Mini Scanner Mini is also widely considered easy to use, practical, and intuitive . Some users, however, found it complicated to understand, especially for senior citizens .
Reliability & Stability edge: Scanner MiniR1R35R37R40
Scanner While some users call Scanner reliable R40, others report significant issues. These include the app not working R1, crashing and losing scanned pages R35, and buttons getting stuck R37.
Scanner Mini Scanner Mini has a long history of reliability, with users stating they've used it for 7-15 years without failure . However, recent reviews indicate problems with the app not working, spinning wheels, and being broken on new iOS versions . Some users also reported losing documents after updates .
Price & Value (Free vs. Paid) edge: Scanner MiniR3R4R6R7
Scanner Scanner is heavily criticized for its aggressive monetization. The free version is deemed unusable due to an 'obscene amount' of ads, watermarks on scans, page limits (9-10 pages), and the inability to export without payment R3R6R9. Many users feel forced to upgrade R15. There are also serious allegations of hidden charges, overcharging, and continuing to charge users after cancellation R4R7R23R31. The weekly subscription is noted as $9.99 .
Scanner Mini Scanner Mini's free version is criticized for not allowing export of scans, requiring payment for this core functionality R72R100R106R108. Watermarks are also present in the free version . The OCR feature is not included in the free version . A major point of contention is the app's forced migration to a subscription-based 'Scanner Pro' app, invalidating previous lifetime purchases of Scanner Mini R64R67R96.
Support tieR47R96
Scanner Scanner users report unresponsiveness from support, with one user stating they reached out twice for help with a subscription issue and received no response R47.
Scanner Mini Scanner Mini users who had their lifetime purchases cancelled due to updates reported that support did not answer or do anything R96.
Pick Scanner if

you need a very basic, quick scan for personal use and are willing to tolerate frequent ads and potential monetization issues R2.

Pick Scanner Mini if

you prioritize scan quality and a generally reliable scanning experience, and are prepared to pay for the 'Pro' version or navigate the limitations of the free tier .

Evidence note: Scanner Mini has a much smaller number of reviews compared to Scanner, and a significant portion of its recent negative reviews are related to the forced migration to a new subscription model, which might skew its current perception. Scanner's negative reviews are more broadly about core app functionality and monetization practices.

Frequently asked

Is Scanner (App A) truly free to use?
No, while Scanner can be downloaded for free, the free version is severely limited and often described as unusable due to excessive ads, watermarks on scans, a page limit of 9-10 pages, and the inability to export documents without a subscription R6R9R13R15.
What are the main issues with Scanner (App A)'s payment model?
Scanner (App A) has faced numerous complaints regarding hidden charges, overcharging (e.g., $50/month instead of $9.99/month), and continuing to charge users even after they cancel their subscriptions R4R7R23R31.
Can I still use Scanner Mini (App B) if I bought a lifetime version?
Scanner Mini (App B) users who purchased a lifetime pack are being notified that the Mini app will not be available after January 1, 2026, and are being pushed to move to its subscription-based 'Scanner Pro' app, effectively nullifying previous lifetime purchases R64R67R96.
Does Scanner Mini (App B) allow free export of scanned documents?
No, Scanner Mini (App B)'s free version does not allow users to export scanned documents, requiring payment for the 'Pro' version to access this core functionality R72R100R106R108.

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. [R13] Scanner 2/5 · US Free version unusable: Poor image quality worse than just taking a picture with phone camera. Non-premium version is not worth using
  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. [R1] Scanner 1/5 · US Does not work: Very disappointed
  9. [R35] Scanner 1/5 · US Very bad experience: I paid for premium plan and after 100 pages it stopped and popped out of the app and I lost all 100 pages I already scanned
  10. [R37] Scanner 1/5 · US Absolutely Irritating: I have used this app in the past and had a really great experience. However, recently it has become overrun with ads. Every time I exit or enter any page, a 20 second video advertisement shows up that can’t be skipped. I am just left to bear it while practically ripping my hair out. Along with this, the crop feature does not work, and the buttons often get stuck. After a hal
  11. [R40] Scanner 5/5 · US Scanner: Simple, easy to use and reliable
  12. [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
  13. [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
  14. [R7] Scanner 1/5 · US Scammed me: Over charged me not 1 time but 2 times!
  15. [R47] Scanner 1/5 · US Not good: Used to be okay? I paid for a subscription and they don't keep it current. I have reached out twice for help and no response. Too many adds and don't pay because it only works for a week then puts you back like you didn't pay
  16. [R96] Scanner Mini 1/5 · US Careful, scammers! I bought the app in 2014. The paid version removed the watermark limit and cost $2 back then. The app was recently updated, and my purchase was canceled. Support doesn't answer or do anything. · translated
  17. [R9] Scanner 3/5 · US Ok: Too many adds
  18. [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.
  19. [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
  20. [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?
  21. [R64] Scanner Mini 2/5 · US HELLO? What happened?: Love this app UNTIL TODAY. What do you mean there’s no more Scanner Mini??? I downloaded the new Pro app but what happened to all previous documents??
  22. [R67] Scanner Mini 1/5 · US Force users to buy Scanner Pro: I purchased the full pack of Scanner Mini in 2022 as this it is a lifetime pack. Today the app notifies that the Mini app will not be available after Jan. 1, 2026, forcing users to move to its subscription-based Scanner Pro with an offer of 6-month free subscription. Guess why I purchased the lifetime mini full pack?? That’s because I didn’t and still don’t want t
  23. [R72] Scanner Mini 3/5 · US Not really free. Pay to export.: Disappointing... It’s “free” to download but you can’t actually export the scans (which is the whole point) unless you pay for the pro.
  24. [R100] Scanner Mini 1/5 · US Don’t use this ever!!!: You can do everything g up to the end, then wants your money. Never again chief! Much better apps out there that don’t pull this tihs. Bad business model
  25. [R106] Scanner Mini 1/5 · US Completely Useless: Cannot do anything without buying the upgrade. Cannot even access the photos it’s has taken from outside of the app. This doesn’t do anything I can’t already do with the native Camera App, and with that I can do more including creating an eventual PDF.
  26. [R108] Scanner Mini 1/5 · US Not usable: You have to buy thePro version to export the pdf file off the iPad mini device...useless tome.

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