Is Scanner Pro free? What you get without Plus
Yes, Readdle's Scanner Pro is free to download and offers ongoing free scanning, organizing and sharing, but watermark-free scans and OCR are Scanner Pro Plus features for new users. The optional Plus subscription or trial is separate from that ongoing free tier, according to Readdle's free-versus-Plus guide.
This answer concerns Readdle's Scanner Pro for iPhone and iPad, not other similarly named scanner apps. Its US App Store listing says “Free” with in-app purchases: downloading it does not mean every feature is free.
What can you do in Scanner Pro for free?
The distinction is between basic scanning and the additional Plus features, not simply between downloading and paying.
| What you need | Ongoing free version | Scanner Pro Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Create, organize and share scans | Included | Not required just to begin scanning |
| Share scans by email or other apps | Listing says unlimited scan sharing is free | Do not assume every export format is included free |
| Watermark-free scans | Not listed as a new-user free entitlement | Listed benefit |
| OCR, searchable text and full-text search | Not listed as new-user free entitlements | Listed benefits |
These boundaries come from Readdle's entitlement guide and the US listing. Unlimited sharing is not a promise of unlimited pages per document or every conversion format being free.
For example, if you need to scan a receipt and share it by email, the documented free features cover creating and sharing that scan. If the recipient requires a watermark-free copy, or you need to search words inside the scan, check the Plus offer instead.
What requires Scanner Pro Plus?
If you need watermark-free scans or searchable text, check the current Plus offer for its US price and billing period rather than assuming the free download includes those features. Use the offer shown for your account; do not assume an advertised price applies to every customer.
Earlier purchasers can have different entitlements. Readdle says previously purchased features remain available; that does not mean every earlier purchaser receives every new feature. Check your existing access before buying again.
Is the free version the same as a free trial?
No. Ongoing free use is distinct from a temporary trial of paid Plus features. Readdle's billing help says charging begins automatically after a trial ends. Check the actual offer for its price, billing period, trial eligibility and renewal date; do not assume a universal trial length.
If you started a trial and do not want renewal:
- Identify the biller from your receipt. The following route is for an Apple-billed subscription.
- Open iPhone Settings, tap your name, then Subscriptions.
- Select Scanner Pro and tap Cancel Subscription. Apple advises cancelling at least 24 hours before a trial ends.
- If the subscription is missing, check which account and biller appear on the receipt before trying another cancellation route.
Readdle says trial features remain available until the cancelled trial expires. Deleting the app does not cancel its subscription. A refund request is separate, and approval is not guaranteed. Before switching apps, keep copies of documents you need; do not assume automatic migration.
If you only need basic scan-to-PDF
Fair Scanner is another option if you prefer a one-time unlock to a subscription. Its first 10 documents are free, with every feature available; afterward, a one-time purchase removes the document limit. Deleting documents does not restore the free allowance.
It supports multipage scanning and A4 or Letter PDF export, but has no OCR. It also has no searchable PDFs, signing, merging, folders or cloud sync. If text recognition matters, Scanner Pro Plus may be the better fit. Fair Scanner is not an unlimited-free equivalent to Scanner Pro's ongoing free tier.
Try Fair Scanner on Google Play or the App Store for iPhone. Check the applicable store offer before purchasing; do not assume an unlock transfers between platforms.
FAQ
Can I share Scanner Pro scans without paying?
Yes. Its US listing says unlimited scan sharing by email or other apps is free. That does not establish that every export format is free.
Is watermark removal free?
For new users, watermark-free scans are a Plus benefit. Earlier purchases may preserve different access.
Does cancelling a trial stop the app being free?
No. The ongoing free tier is separate from the optional Plus trial. Readdle says trial-only advanced features remain until the cancelled trial expires.
Does Fair Scanner have OCR?
No. It creates scanned PDFs, not searchable PDFs with recognized text.
Fair Apps and Fair Scanner are not affiliated with Readdle or Scanner Pro. Product names identify the products discussed.