Tiny Scanner vs Scanner
Tiny Scanner (App A) is a better choice for users seeking a reliable document scanning app, despite recent issues with its subscription model and ads, as it generally offers better scanning quality and a more consistent user experience than Scanner (App B).
Tiny Scanner (App A) and Scanner (App B) both offer mobile document scanning, but recent changes to their free tiers and subscription models have led to significant user frustration. Tiny Scanner generally provides higher quality scans and is considered more reliable by long-term users, while Scanner is plagued by an overwhelming number of ads and issues with its free version.
Head to head
Pick Tiny Scanner if you prioritize clear, professional scans and a generally reliable user experience, and are willing to navigate its current subscription model R11R14. It's also a good choice if you need to store and send important files on the go for business R5.
Pick Scanner if you are looking for a very basic, free scanner for occasional use and don't mind a high volume of ads and potential watermarks on your documents, or if you are prepared to pay for the premium version to avoid these limitations .
Evidence note: Both apps have a significant number of recent negative reviews related to their monetization strategies, making it challenging to compare their free tiers directly as user experiences vary widely. Many positive reviews for both apps appear to be from older versions or paid users, while recent free-tier users express strong dissatisfaction.
Frequently asked
Is Tiny Scanner truly free?
Does Scanner have too many ads?
Are there issues with subscriptions and hidden charges for these apps?
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.
- [R3] Tiny Scanner Mike R.: Love how it focuses on my image and then puts it into a file for me but when I converted from PDF to Word, it’s very garbled
- [R10] Tiny Scanner Freezing constantly: What is happening to this app?
- [R11] Tiny Scanner Great scans with a simple touch.: Easy, always great clarity & contrast in documents. Go to solution for scanning.
- [R14] Tiny Scanner Excellent product!: The efficiency and ease of use, are impressive
- [R2] Tiny Scanner Very convenient app: Good performance
- [R5] Tiny Scanner Best work app!: I use this app for storing all my important files on the go. Very useful for my Real Estate business!
- [R8] Tiny Scanner Tiny Scanner: I LOVE this app. I’ve been using it for years and it is so easy to send documents with it.
- [R15] Tiny Scanner When it works it works: Probably 20% of the time the blue box is bouncing around a simple white piece of paper document it eventually snaps a photo of about 1/8th of the page.
- [R20] Tiny Scanner Deleted all my files.: Your company deleted all my files. The app was updated and everything is gone. I will not renew my subscription when it expires.
- [R22] Tiny Scanner Can not restore subscription and files not transferring to new phone: App and subscription not transferring to new iPhone
- [R1] Tiny Scanner Scam: They keep changing the name and charging for the app again.
- [R4] Tiny Scanner Error: Hello! I accidentally signed up for a free trial of the Tiny Scanner app. I intended to cancel it, but now I have an unpaid balance of $49.99 and my Apple ID is completely locked. I also have $10 of my own money stuck on this balance. Could you please waive/cancel this unpaid balance and unlock my Apple ID? Thank you!
- [R6] Tiny Scanner SUBSCRIPTION AHEAD!: App works very well but does come with a paid feature
- [R12] Tiny Scanner No good for occasional use: For occasional scans this gets expensive as monthly subscription and no free version - like restricted to just 5 scans per week. There is a free trial but too much hassle as have to sign up then cancel. Will continue to use document scan option in iOS Files app.
- [R16] Tiny Scanner Stop asking me to keep reviewing the app!: The app works but I keep getting asked to review it even though I already did. One star for the frustration.
- [R64] Scanner 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
- [R24] Tiny Scanner Great but…: I’ve used the app for years, and it has been great! However, you now have to pay to email yourself the PDFs. I use it to submit receipts for work, and my work isn’t paying for the app, so, unfortunately, I will be finding another app to use going forward. To the devs, it is not free, if you have to pay.
- [R30] Tiny Scanner “1 free share left”: Lmaooo, scam. Used to be a normal app
- [R36] Tiny Scanner Elnur S: This guys are scammers! I am a client of the Tiny Scanner for more than 7 years now, and my current subscription is paid until 15 of November 2025. Despite of the valid subscription application doesn’t allow me to scan more than one page and requires to pay more for “upgraded” version of the App. Then the question is what for I have paid £24,99???
- [R63] Scanner 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
- [R69] Scanner Ok: Too many adds
- [R75] Scanner 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.
- [R81] Scanner Watermark / Ads: Free version has frequent pop-up advertisements and each scan has a watermark.
- [R18] Tiny Scanner Terrible app: Initially bought it few years ago and now with the subscription model it sucks…don’t buy waste of money and time
- [R28] Tiny Scanner Shame: Big big shame many features that were once free now sit behind a paywall. I remember paying for this originally, now they’ve taken those features you paid for away. Signs of classic U.S business practices. Avoid.
Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store