Best Scanner Apps: 12 Document Scanner Apps (Android & iOS)

In this fast-paced world, information is shared with each passing second. Paperless system is a necessary for information to be disseminated. Indeed, this is the reason why scanners are so popular today. Hence, we’ve compiled a list of the best scanner apps for Android and iOS (2020).

Extensive research is undertaken before preparing the final list. We’ve considered various factors such as app price, utility value, value for money, features, technical company support, etc. These apps have millions of downloads on their respective app stores and are extremely easy to use.

You’ll be able to find each and every program useful for one or the other task like scanning invoices or sharing documents.

Go through the list and select the right app for yourself or your organization.

Here is the list of Free Document Scanning Apps (For Android & iOS):

CamScanner

This app is probably one of the best applications for scanning documents on both iOS and Android. With this app, you can transform mobile device into a document scanner.

The app has a user-friendly interface and its suitable for beginners as well. What’s more? Save your time and money. For business users and corporates, a premium plan (paid) is recommended which includes exclusive benefits such as 10GB storage, password protection, etc.

This app is definitely a must-have for document scanning. Major features of the app are receipts, notes, images, invoices, business cards scanning along with scanning other things.

You can also convert docs into PDF, upload files to cloud services including Box, Google Drive, share and print documents. What’s more? Download documents in batch and take advantage of an advance editing feature to add annotations and watermarks.

The program even features a comment option for teammates to give their views.

Pros

Cons

---

Adobe Scan

This free app comes from one of the best companies- Adobe. For additional features, subscription is available. This app can be used by anyone who owns an iPad, iPhone, or and Android device.

Simply turn on your smartphone camera to scan a document. The major highlight of the app is the integration with other apps like Adobe Acrobat, and Adobe Fill & Sign, etc. This application is designed to fit all of your needs.

The program will perform up to your expectations and will fulfil your scanning needs. Characteristics include scanning of notes, forms, documents, receipts, etc.

Comprises a preview option for file optimization. Other features are automatic recognition and scanning, built-in OCR, document sharing, multiple page scanning, editing, annotation etc. 

Pros

Cons

---

Scanbot

Available for both iOS and Android, Scanbot is a useful app to create high-quality scans. The app delivers what is called a perfect scan. It has got a ton of features which are missing in most of the other scanning apps.

For instance, you can scan labels, QR codes and barcodes. You can also fax documents, which is a pretty exciting characteristic. Also, you will be able to rearrange, remove or add more pages. The app even secures your confidential information with the password-protect feature.

Moreover, users can apply filters. Share documents on the go with this amazing app. Another excellent feature is automatic text recognition in 60 languages. Undoubtedly, the app is one of the best programs that will make your professional life easy.

Scan notes, whiteboards, documents, business cards, etc. with the help of this app. The exciting features are conversion into PDF, OCR, auto-upload (to cloud services), documents faxing, etc. 

Pros

Cons

---

Abby’s FineScanner

This app is an advance program that supports 193 languages. It is compatible with the leading mobile operating systems namely Android and iOS. The major benefit of this app is the ability to retain the original formatting of the document.

Pay some amount and unlock the full potential of this app. The app eliminates the need for a physical scanner. Features comprise the ability to scan printed as well as handwritten text, supports for 12 file formats like DOCX, PDF, etc.

You will also get annotation tools, image defect removal, document saving & sharing and even books digitization feature (can be done with the help of BookScan option). 

Pros

Cons

---

Microsoft Office Lens

This intuitive doc scanning app by the renowned company Microsoft is free to use and has no irritating ads. It can be downloaded on Android or iOS. Download scanned files to your local storage.

It has support for German, Spanish, and simplified Chinese. Install MS Word on your mobile device to get access to the scanned documents (Only applicable for iOS). You can even remove the background from pictures.

This app helps you to take images of whiteboards, notes, and documents, save documents to OneNote or OneDrive, transform images into PDF (including others), scanning business cards and much more. Further, it can be integrated with Office 365 office suite.

Pros

Cons

---

Genius Scan

This is a wonderful program to scan docs on phones. It is available for free but high-end features can only be accessed by premium users. The company considers the app as a pocket scanner, which is indeed true.

According to the company, the app has digitized more 50 million documents which is an overwhelming fact. Improve the document legibility.

You’ll receive a host of useful features that come preloaded with this app. You can even import docs from other applications. It has got a fax feature too. Perhaps, it is a great choice for scanning documents.

Highlights are password protection, file organization, search function, creation of basic business workflows, page detection, perspective correction, image enhancement amongst others. It can work with many cloud services like Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.

Pros

Cons

---

TurboScan

TurboScan is a powerful and full-featured scanner app for Android and iOS. You can use it for free or pay for the full (Pro) version. This program has a surescan mode for very getting sharp images.

The app also comprises a Cloud Print feature. The app, however, takes some time to straighten the images. Let’s have a glance at the features.

You can share multipage documents in PDFs or JPEGs, arrange documents, add pages, reorder, etc. There is support for Dropbox, Evernote and Google Drive. The app offers in-app purchases.

Pros

Cons

---

Google Drive Scanner

Yeah, you read that right. You’ll be surprised to know about this option. Google Drive is an extremely popular free document sharing platform. However, it is often overlooked when it comes to scanning docs owing to the fact that not many are aware of this feature.

For this very reason, it was inevitable for us to include this app in this list. For scanning, you just require the installed Google Drive app on your smartphone. Tap the ‘+’ button in the bottom right corner and tap on the scan option (camera icon).

Don’t forget to grant camera permissions to the app, else the feature will not work. We recommend this app or at least give it a try. It includes basic options like direct saving of documents to the drive folder, crop and adjustment, image enhancement, etc.

Pros

Cons

---

Evernote Scannable

Evernote Scannable is a powerful tool for scanning files. Users can also share the scans with other people in a smart way. Further, it has support for scanning various docs, sketches, paper documents, etc. Retain the original quality of your documents.

The premium version will provide you outstanding features, one of which is the identification of visiting cards. It can be inferred that the app is suitable for entrepreneurs or the professional people.

Using this app, you’ll be able to: enhance text, organize scan results, Scan receipts, business cards (including others), add contacts from business cards, etc. 

Pros

Cons

---

Tiny Scanner

As the name suggests, this is relatively a simple app for both Android and iOS devices. It will surely fulfil your scanning needs. Transform your mobile device into a portable document scanner.

It is possible to scan documents, receipts, reports, etc. with this application. Premium version should be purchased for availing unlimited features such as batch scanning.

Features are files conversion into many formats, edge detection, passcode protection, etc. Documents can be saved in DropBox, Google Drive, OneDrive, etc

Pros

Cons

---

Smart Doc Scanner

This intuitive app is only available for the Android OS. In just a few steps, document digitisation is possible. The app includes covers many essential features. Sort your important documents within seconds.

Share them via email, cloud storage, social networks, etc. You’ll receive a custom PDF creation feature. It also has an integration with File Commander. It has got many features.

The prominent among these include OCR support, document searching, printing (via any network), spelling check, batch-scanning, image crop, zoom, cloud storage, document conversion etc. 

Pros

Cons

---

ClearScanner

This is a free app which allows the quick scan and conversion of text or image files into PDF format. It is available for Android and iOS. The program even includes an edge detection feature for retaining the quality of images.

Professional editing features are also included. Owing to the backup function, there will be no risk of file deletion. This is particularly useful for corporations that have to maintain a secure database.

Save files to cloud storage servers like Dropbox OneDrive, and Google Drive. Features include fast processing, cloud print option, intelligent backup and storage option amongst others.

Pros

Cons

---

Conclusion: 

These were our picks for the best scanner apps for smartphones (2020). We recommend a careful analysis of the features, monetary value, advantages, disadvantages of the apps before a definite decision is taken.

And don’t forget to read the reviews to acquaint yourself with the personal experience of other users. For basic purposes, we recommend Google Drive scanner, Microsoft Office Lens. Contrary to this, you might need Adobe Scanner, Scanbot, Genius scan, Abby’s FineScanner, and others included in this list.