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

PDF Expert vs CamScanner

PDF Expert 4.7★ · Free to download 75
Winner PDF Expert
CamScanner 4.8★ · Free + IAP 55

PDF Expert is better for professional PDF editing and annotation, despite its subscription model and recent bugs, while CamScanner excels at quick document scanning but is plagued by aggressive monetization and privacy concerns.

Full reviews: PDF Expert · CamScanner

PDF Expert offers robust PDF editing and annotation features, favored by academic and professional users, though recent updates and its subscription model have caused frustration. CamScanner is praised for its scanning convenience but faces significant criticism for excessive ads, aggressive subscription practices, and data privacy issues.

Head to head

Features and Functionality edge: PDF ExpertR8R10R11R12
PDF Expert PDF Expert is highly valued for its comprehensive PDF editing, annotation, and conversion capabilities, with users praising its utility for academic and professional work R8. It offers tools like text editing, highlighting, and form filling. However, some users report issues with specific features like split-screen R11, article downloading R12, and Apple Pencil Pro support R8. Recent updates have also introduced unwanted AI features R10 and removed previously paid-for functionalities, forcing users into subscriptions R7R25R36.
CamScanner CamScanner is widely praised for its core scanning functionality, making it easy to convert physical documents to PDF with good resolution . Users find it convenient for organizing files and sending documents . However, critical features like compressing images, sending multiple PDFs, or removing watermarks are often paywalled . Some users also report issues with files disappearing after updates and difficulty emailing converted PDFs .
Ease of Use and Reliability edge: PDF ExpertR6R13R15R17
PDF Expert PDF Expert is generally considered easy to use with an excellent UI R17, and many users find it reliable for their tasks R17. However, recent reviews highlight significant reliability issues, including freezing, crashing R15R28, blank tabs R13R15, and files inflating in size . Some users also find file management and sharing frustrating and experience difficulties with login processes R6R22.
CamScanner CamScanner is often described as easy and convenient for scanning documents . However, many users find the app frustrating to use due to an overwhelming number of pop-up ads R63R66R76 and constant prompts to upgrade . Some also report issues with documents getting stuck during upload or files disappearing .
Price and Value edge: PDF ExpertR1R3R5R7
PDF Expert PDF Expert is a paid subscription app, with many core features locked behind the paywall R1R3R31R36. While some users find the $50 annual subscription worth it for its extensive features R5, others express strong dissatisfaction with the subscription model, especially after previously purchasing features that are now subscription-only R7R25R28. There are also complaints about deceptive trial practices and unexpected charges .
CamScanner CamScanner is a 'free' app with in-app purchases and a subscription model, but users report it is heavily paywalled, making many basic functions unavailable without payment . The app is widely criticized for aggressive monetization, including unexpected auto-renewals R61R78R85R89 and charging weekly fees R85. The presence of numerous ads even for paying subscribers is a major point of contention R66R72.
Customer Support and Transparency edge: PDF ExpertR4R7R9R22
PDF Expert PDF Expert receives significant criticism for its customer service, with users reporting poor support, difficulty restoring purchases, and unresponsiveness R4R7R22R28. There are also complaints about the difficulty of canceling subscriptions and issues with cross-device purchase recognition R9.
CamScanner CamScanner users frequently report a lack of helpful support and difficulty with refunds after unexpected charges R85. The app is widely accused of deceptive practices regarding free trials and auto-renewals R61R78R85. There are also serious concerns about data privacy, with some users alleging that the app uploads files to the cloud without clear deletion options and even contains malware .
Pick PDF Expert if

you need a powerful PDF editor and annotator for academic or professional use, are willing to pay for a subscription, and prioritize a robust feature set over a completely free experience .

Pick CamScanner if

you primarily need to quickly scan physical documents into digital formats and are prepared to tolerate frequent ads and aggressive monetization, or if you only need very basic scanning without advanced editing .

Evidence note: Recent reviews for PDF Expert show a negative trend regarding subscription changes and software bugs, despite its higher lifetime rating. CamScanner's lifetime rating is very high, but recent reviews are overwhelmingly negative, focusing on aggressive monetization, ads, and privacy concerns, suggesting a decline in user satisfaction.

Frequently asked

Is PDF Expert truly free?
No, PDF Expert is free to download but most advanced features, including editing and many annotation tools, require a paid subscription R1R3R31R36. Free functionality is limited to reading PDFs and basic note-taking R1.
Does CamScanner have too many ads?
Yes, CamScanner is heavily criticized for having too many ads, with users reporting frequent full-screen pop-ups even after subscribing to premium versions R63R66R72R76.
Can I cancel CamScanner's subscription easily?
Many users report significant difficulty canceling CamScanner subscriptions, with some being charged weekly or annually without their explicit consent or prior notification, and struggling to get refunds R61R78R85R89.
Are there issues with PDF Expert's past purchases?
Yes, multiple users who purchased PDF Expert features or lifetime licenses in the past report that these previously paid-for functionalities have been removed and now require a subscription, leading to frustration and disputes with customer support R7R25R28R36.

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. [R8] PDF Expert 4/5 · US Great app, but would be better with Apple Pencil Pro support: This is my preferred app for reading and annotating pdfs for academic work. My only gripe is that it doesnt support the Apple Pencil Pro. I’d love to be able to hide the toolbar and change tools via the squeeze gesture, which would allow me to work in truly full screen mode.
  2. [R10] PDF Expert 2/5 · US AI made it worse: No matter how many times you check the box to not open copilot automatically it still opens. It also seems to forget what document I had open now. Great app that is going downhill fast.
  3. [R11] PDF Expert 4/5 · US Mr D: Love this app. The only critique I have is that after a recent IOS upgrade, the split screen feature is not the same and much more wonky to use. Please bring that back!
  4. [R12] PDF Expert 3/5 · US Use to be better😞: I’m not sure why, but this app has stopped downloading parts of the articles I’m trying to save and annotate. The first year, the app downloaded the articles completely but the second year- it only downloads parts of the articles. Additionally, if you change the article to a PDF- there is some weird formatting. Disappointing.
  5. [R6] PDF Expert 3/5 · US Sign in is useless for me: When attempting to sign in, it forces you to open you email on the same device your signing in on. I don’t have that email on the device. So I cannot sign in. Making the app useless for me.
  6. [R13] PDF Expert 2/5 · US Use to be good: All my tabs are blank, the files are there, but have to open each one to see which one it is, as all the tabs show no title. PLEASE FIX!!!
  7. [R15] PDF Expert 3/5 · US good but its bugging and freezing for me right now and sometimes i lose all my tabs: and the pages can be blank for a while, and clicking tools can sometimes result in crashes. another annoying thing that can happen is that i can lose all my pdf tabs when exiting the app entirely or opening a new pdf.
  8. [R17] PDF Expert 5/5 · US Love it since 2017: PDF Expert has been outstanding since I bought it in 2017. Reliable, fast, and packed with powerful features through years of updates I’ve never lost the tools I rely on. Excellent UI, smooth syncing, and top-notch PDF editing. Highly recommended.
  9. [R1] PDF Expert 1/5 · US Everything is paid: Everything is paid; the only free features are reading a PDF and leaving a note on it. · translated
  10. [R3] PDF Expert 3/5 · US TURKI: There needs to be a chat feature, and it should be free. · translated
  11. [R5] PDF Expert 5/5 · US Wow just wow: I usually don’t care for paying for subscriptions to anything so I canceled this after seven days however, this thing is definitely worth it I just needed it from one document, but I would definitely buy it if I needed it.
  12. [R7] PDF Expert 1/5 · US Same paid features removed again with no permanent fix: I bought PDF Converter separately in 2018 for $4.99, entitling me to permanent conversion access under the terms sold at the time. This is the second time Readdle has revoked that access, first in 2025, now again in June 2026, both times forcing me to argue with support and provide old receipts just to get back something I already paid for.
  13. [R4] PDF Expert 1/5 · US Poor customer service: I have purchased this software multiple times because no one will help me restore the purchase. Buyer beware
  14. [R9] PDF Expert 3/5 · US Can't open account on 2nd device: Also, the payment process is inscrutable.
  15. [R22] PDF Expert 1/5 · US The software is horrible and their Customer Service is worse!: The software is horrible and there’s too many issues with logging in and the security they use with their server constantly logs you out and you have to contact customer support to get it working again and 2 to 3 weeks later it’ll work for a little while and then it logs you out again and removes your services. The software makes using
  16. [R31] PDF Expert 1/5 · US Not free: It's listed under free apps, but it's not free. They ask you to log in and get your information. This is the age of selling user data, and I, in turn, ask users to rate the app one star. They could have listed the app under paid apps or told us it wasn't free, but only after registration! They tell us it's not completely free. · translated
  17. [R36] PDF Expert 3/5 · US Features buried in subscription now: Paid for app initially, but now suddenly I have to have a subscription to be able to do very much with it. Every edit just wants to me trial the subscription (can’t even do a simple rotate of pages anymore). Really liked its functionality but I am not interested in a subscription model and feel like I lost out on what I paid for in the first place by purchasing
  18. [R63] CamScanner 3/5 · US To many advertisement: To many advertisement
  19. [R66] CamScanner 3/5 · US Annoying: Every time we access, a Temu propaganda pops in, if we are paying for the app, there should be no problem accessing it
  20. [R72] CamScanner 3/5 · GB Paid app and still too many adverts: Very bad experience as too many adverts & looks like spam messages popping up even though I have subscribed for the premium. It’s happening recently & must be fixed
  21. [R76] CamScanner 1/5 · US Dog water app: 500 popups
  22. [R61] CamScanner 1/5 · US Scamcanner: These jerks renewed my annual subscription without letting me know in advance that I would not receive all or most of the benefits included in the subscription last year when I signed up for it. Though the service in general is helpful, I cannot at all recommend the subscription because the developers are obviously not trustworthy.
  23. [R78] CamScanner 3/5 · GB App ok, auto-membership needs serious attention though: I signed up to this app to scan 1 document. It required a free trial which usually means I don't use them, but I was on something of a time crunch & did it anyways thinking if I forgot to cancel it was likely to be just a couple of quid. Well, no, despite having what looks like over a dozen tiers of membership levels & pricing, I was automati
  24. [R85] CamScanner 1/5 · US CamScammer: I signed up for the free trial. I used it once. After 2 months to my surprise I was charged $6.99/week. I wasn’t aware of signing up for any subscription. I requested for a refund and was declined. Be aware! This is how they will get you
  25. [R89] CamScanner 2/5 · US Good App: I used the app worked pretty good. More than what I ever needed it for, for the prices. So I went in my subscriptions and hit cancel Subscription.. I got charged $59.99 for the premium membership. Be careful with this app . I gave a 2 star because of charging me anyway.
  26. [R25] PDF Expert 1/5 · US Previously Available Features Removed: I purchased pdf expert for iPhone iPad & Mac. The version I purchased used to have the ability to fill and sign, annotate and edit pdfs. I also was able to open files from other apps and it would convert them allowing me to annotate or edit them. Now those features have been removed and you have to pay for a subscription to use features that were previously
  27. [R28] PDF Expert 2/5 · US Used to be a great product. What happened?: UPDATE: With months of emails to PDF Expert complaining of constant freezing and crashing while always referencing my purchase of their original grandfathered one-time fee app, PDF Expert just completely severed my original features that were purchased years ago before they converted to a subscription service and now challenges whether my purchase ever e

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