The best document scanners for iPad 2021

Smallpdf, is a good document scanner for iPad, all-in-one PDF tool to read PDF, edit PDF, compress PDF, scan PDF, combine PDF, remove PDF pages, and convert PDF (Word to PDF, PDF to Word, PPT to PDF, PDF to PPT, JPG to PDF, PDF to JPG, Excel to PDF, and PDF to Excel). You can easily do lots of useful things with Smallpdf including the following: Smallpdf - Scan, sign & edit PDF app review

• Compress and merge PDF files
• Convert PDF to Word, PPT to PDF, Word to PDF, JPG to PDF, Excel to PDF
• Edit and rotate a PDF, and delete pages
• Sign a PDF
• Create a Scanned PDF file
• File Storage & Integrations

If you are interested in other lifestyle topics, check out our article on best scanners here.

ScanScan - OCR, an iPhone scanner app to transfer images to text, the most powerful and easiest-to-use OCR app, also can scan images and documents to pdf files, efficient and accurate mobile scanner.

• Edits OCR results and notes of the doc, exporting as .txt file and .docx file
• 360° text recognition in many languages, including Chinese, English, Russian, German, Spanish, Greek, Turkish, Korean and so on
• Scan docs into clear & sharp image/PDF, to email, print or share to anywhere
• Supports multiply language translation, support business negotiation, study work, travel abroad, and other requirements
• Supports combination of multiple recognized tex

Genius Scan is a scanner app in your pocket. Quickly scan your paper documents on the go and export them as multi-page PDF files. Place any document in front of your device’s camera: our scanner app automatically recognizes the paper against the background, crops it, and cleans up the result. You obtain a crisp, legible scan.  Genius Scan app review

• Document detection & background removal
• Distortion correction
• Searchable PDF creation
• Metadata and content search

Do you find yourself carrying a pocket, briefcase, or bag full of receipts, notes, and papers? Maybe it's time you streamlined the paper trail of your life with CamScanner Free. This is a document scanning app that allows you to use your iPad's camera to scan pretty much anything you can think of, from notes and invoices to whiteboards and more. This free app  has auto-enhancing and smart cropping tools to help make the items you scan look clear and sharp, so you won't feel terrible about tossing your paper copy.  There are lots of other nice features too, like password lock, the ability to collaborate, and compatibility with AirPrint.  CamScanner Free app review

• Scan anything, anywhere using your iDevice
• Print instantly using AirPrint
• Set a passcode, Share files
• Optimize the scan quality
• Smart cropping tools

Fast Scanner will transform your iPad into a multi-page scanning device for all sorts of paper text like documents, invoices, notes, and receipts, and even lets you scan whiteboards. After you've scanned the item, you can print it, send it by email, open in another app, or save the file as a PDF on your device. The app works quickly and seamlessly, whether you are scanning a single-page document or a multi-page booklet. It also offers image editing options to make sure that any scanned images are easy to read and professional looking.

• Quick and easy to use
• Scan a single document or multiple pages
• Export to PDF or open in another app
• Email or print scanned documents
• Image editing options

Have you tried multiple scanning apps for your iPad but haven't found one you like, yet? You might have found “the one” with Tiny  Scanner by Appxy. You can scan pretty much anything you want, and any document you do scan will turn out with crisp text. Your scans will save as PDF files or images, and you can organize your scans into folders. You have the ability to share scans by AirPrint; email; Dropbox, Google Drive, Box, or Evernote; over WiFi to your computer; or by fax using the Tiny Fax app (also by Appxy). There are tons of features like Quick Search, optional passcode, and batch combine mode.  TinyScan for iPad app review

• Super fast and produces sharp text scans
• Combine multiple scans into one PDF with batch mode
• Share by email, AirPrint, WiFi, fax, or a number of Cloud sites
• Scan in B&W, color, or grayscale
• Sort by title or date

This app scans text from documents or other printed sources and can translate them into 90 different languages. Take a picture of the text, edit the text, hear it, translate it and share it. Not only can you translate into 90 different languages, the app will also recognize text in more than 70 different languages. In addition to papers, books or documents, this app can also scan and view instruction manuals, product labels, road signs, articles and more. With this app, you will definitely be able to scan any printed text and edit or save it for other purposes.  Scanner & Translator Free app review

• Scan text from printed sources
• View text, Edit scanned text
• Translate text into 90 different languages
• Share text with others, Use in different apps
• Recognizes texts in more than 70 different languages

Have you ever wanted to read your favorite book on your device, but it isn't available in that format? FineScanner allows you to scan entire books or large documents and then saves them in PDF or JPG format. You also have the ability to apply online OCR so you can do further editing and even share the documents. If you only have a receipt or a single-page document to scan, don't worry, because FineScanner does that, too! When scanning a book, all you have to do is take snapshots of facing book pages in Book mode. The app will split the opposing pages into two separate images.  FineScanner app review

• Scan single documents or entire sections of books
• Save as PDF or JPG
• Share, print, and export
• Auto-capture and filters
• Built-in file storage allows you to save scans with tags and search options

Have you ever tried to scan a document but it was too curled and produced a bad image? Now you can even scan curled images with Faster Scan using the app's image enhancement technology. You can scan single- or multi-page documents, whiteboards, business cards, coupons, books, and more. The app offers auto-detect, corrects perspective distortion, brightens images, and removes shadows to offer a sharp and clear document. You are further able to draw lines on or annotate the scanned images using the built-in PDF viewer. Organizing your documents is a breeze, too: you can sort them into folders and move the scanned documents among the folders as needed.

• Use the built-in fax feature to send documents all over the world
• Save to Photo Albums or open in other apps
• Print using AirPrint
• Share via WiFi or email as PDF or JPEG files
• More options available in the Plus version

Pretty much anyone with a smart phone or tablet knows Evernote, and this app from the same developers is no different in quality. Evernote Scannable lets you scan practically any piece of paper  (and whiteboards) and share instantly. Just point the camera of your iPhone or iPad at the thing you want to scan, and the app will capture the image, automatically crop, rotate, and adjust the image so they're easy to see and read. Send the resulting scan via email or text, export as JPG or PDF,  or send to another app. If you have a lot of business cards from networking, use the app to scan the business card and the app will allow you to save the information to your contacts list.  Want a more in-depth analysis of the app? Evernote Scannable app review

• Same great quality you expect from Evernote
• Scan any document or whiteboards
• Automatically crops, rotates, and adjusts the image
• Send via email or text, or export to another app
• Scan business cards and export information to your contacts

This app is a little different from the rest listed here, since it allows you to scan QR codes as well as documents.  The free version offers OCR text recognition, premium-quality scans, the ability to upload to Box, Dropbox, Evernote, and iCloud Drive, or to send by email. Scan QR codes to obtain embedded information, and enjoy the super-fast scanning functionality. There are color modes and automatic optimization, as well.  You can also customize the interface with a variety of visual themes. Want more features? Upgrade to SwiftScan Pro. Check out our review for more information on the app's features. 

• Fully functional professional document scanner
• Scan QR codes
• Full Cloud integration
• Premium quality for free
• Upgrade for even more features

The one thing many scanning apps lack is the ability to convert scanned images into editable PowerPoint or Word files. Well look no further, because Office Lens is able to do just that! The app will digitize pretty much any document or whiteboard/blackboard image you want. Draw a doodle you want to keep? Snap a photo for later. The app uses OCR technology to automatically recognize printed text, so you can search for words in images and then copy/paste them. The Whiteboard mode trims the image and cleans up shadows and glare; Document mode trims the image and makes sure the color is perfect. Once you're satisfied with the image, you can save to several Cloud storage sites or convert to Word, PowerPoint, or PDF format.

• Digitize any document, whiteboard, or blackboard notes
• Snap a photo of doodles/notes you make
• OCR technology automatically recognizes printed text
• Save to Cloud storage
• Convert to Word, PowerPoint, or PDF format

 

Foxit PDF is a free PDF reader that gives you the ability to view, edit, and organize your PDF files. The free version gets you amazing capabilities and if you want to be able to create PDF files with your camera or photo library, a small purchase of $0.99 in-app will allow you to do that. Once you’ve created or opened your PDF file, it’s easy to fill out and save forms, import or export form data, read the PDF out loud, and annotate, sign, and stamp documents. You can open PDF files from email, Safari, iTunes, and Open-in and the app supports Preview for PowerPoint, MS Word, Excel, and image files.  Foxit Mobile PDF app review

• Protect PDF files with passwords and specify permissions
• Work with ConnectedPDF
• Lightweight and reliable document scanner for iPad
• Collaborative
• Free with in-app purchases