ScanFlow vs
CamScanner
A feature-by-feature comparison. See why thousands of users are switching from CamScanner to ScanFlow.
Why Users Are Leaving CamScanner
CamScanner has been one of the most downloaded scanner apps for years, but it has accumulated several issues that concern privacy-minded users:
- Ads everywhere. The free version of CamScanner is filled with banner ads, interstitial ads, and upsell prompts that interrupt your workflow.
- Watermarks on free scans. Free-tier scans include a "Scanned by CamScanner" watermark, making them look unprofessional.
- China-based cloud storage. CamScanner is developed by INTSIG (Shanghai). Documents are processed and stored on servers in China, raising concerns for users handling sensitive business or personal documents.
- Past security incidents. CamScanner was temporarily removed from Google Play in 2019 after security researchers discovered malware in its ad SDK.
- Heavy data collection. CamScanner collects device data, usage analytics, and document metadata as outlined in their privacy policy.
| Feature | ScanFlow | CamScanner |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free (Pro from $29.99/yr) | Free (Premium $4.99/mo) |
| Ads | No ads | Heavy ads (free tier) |
| Watermark | No watermark | Watermark (free tier) |
| Account Required | No | Yes |
| Offline Mode | Full offline | Partial |
| Data Storage | On device only | China-based cloud |
| Cloud Sync | iCloud, Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive | CamScanner Cloud, limited integrations |
| OCR | Yes | Yes |
| Document Signing | Yes | Premium only |
| Merge PDFs | Yes | Premium only |
| QR Code Scanner | Yes | No |
| ID / Passport Extraction | Yes | No |
| Password Protection | Yes | Premium only |
| Privacy | No data collection | Extensive data collection |
| Security History | Clean | Malware incident (2019) |
Our Verdict
CamScanner was an early pioneer in mobile document scanning, but its free tier is now burdened with ads, watermarks, and aggressive upselling. More importantly, its privacy practices raise legitimate concerns, especially for anyone scanning sensitive personal or business documents.
ScanFlow offers a cleaner, more private alternative. No account needed, no ads, no watermarks, and no data collection. Your documents are stored locally on your device, and you choose if and where to sync them. Features like document signing, PDF merging, and password protection are available without a premium subscription.
For users who value privacy, a clean experience, and a complete feature set without hidden costs, ScanFlow is the clear winner.
Switch to ScanFlow today.
Download for free. No account, no ads, no watermarks.
App Store
iPhone & iPad
Google Play
Android
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