— CamScanner (@CamScanner) August 28, 2019 In an era where privacy concerns are higher than ever, we’re not so sure users should revert back to CamScanner. Here is a list of OCR Apps we covered before, and in light of the recent scandal, here are some immediate CamScanner alternatives.
Best CamScanner Alternatives
1. Google Drive
You probably don’t even know it, but there is a document scanning app that came pre-installed on your Android smartphone. Google Drive has a well-concealed, simple, and easy to use document scanner that can be found when you tap on the ‘+’ icon in the bottom right and hit Scan. It has an extremely basic feature list that includes cropping and saving directly to Google Drive. It goes without saying that this is not an alternative for power users but more like an option for someone who just needs to scan a document occasionally. The same feature is also available in Google Photos which further promises the ability to search images based on the text in them in a future update. And while Google doesn’t have the best reputation when it comes to privacy, you can rest assured that there won’t be a trojan in there.
2. Genius Scan
Genius Scan is the most simple scanner app that you can get on your smartphone. The homepage provides you 2 options – Either import an existing picture or Click a new one. In case you decide to click photos, it allows you to click multiple pictures at once. Post that, it applies a filter to the photos and quickly converts them into a PDF. It also provides a couple of editing options like filters and rotation. Genius Scan is a minimal photo scanning app but the options are fairly limited. You have to spend $5 to upgrade to the premium variant. The premium variant provides a bunch of features like extracting text from images, password encrypting PDFs, cloud upload documents, etc. Download Genius Scan (Android | iOS)
3. Adobe Scan
When it comes to trust, it’s hard to go wrong with Adobe. The software giant has its own document scanning app which boasts of having the best and clearest output on the final scanned document. Adobe has traveled the extra mile and implemented AI to aid and differentiate for efficient scanning of documents, business cards, and receipts. Like CamScanner, Adobe Scan can create multi-page documents or images, scan business cards and receipts, make documents available both on the cloud and device, and even segregate documents and images. However, unlike CamScanner, there are no merge options, collaborate features, document passwords, or batch scan options. Another aspect where this differs from CamScanner is that you need to make a free Adobe account before you can start using the app, whereas CamScanner lets you use the basic features without an account. But, take our word for it, if picture quality and clarity are of utmost priority to you, there is nothing better than Adobe Scan. There is a noticeable difference between it and the competition, including CamScanner. Download Adobe Scan (Android | iOS)
4. Microsoft Office Lens
If you’re someone who is deeply invested in the whole Microsoft Office 365 ecosystem, then you should switch to the Microsoft Office Lens, regardless of CamScanner’s status. Microsoft’s Office Lens is another product that comes from a reputable source so malware concerns aren’t at bay. Additionally, Microsoft has integrated OneDrive, OneNote, and more of their services deep into the app which makes it very efficient for Office users. Like CamScanner, Microsoft Office Lens features support for a variety of file formats, multi-page document scanning, automatic image cropping and adjustment along with several other features. Both of them are equally good at extracting information from business cards and saving them as a contact. Unlike CamScanner, Microsoft has a dedicated Artificial Intelligence engine, focusing on image clarity. This is called the WhiteBoard mode, which tweaks the color science and removes unwanted glare to boost the image quality. If you’re looking for a robust, streamlined and simple to use document scanner with deep Office 365 integration, Microsoft Office Lens is the way to go. Download Microsoft Office Lens (Android | iOS)
If you’re still on the fence between CamScanner, Adobe Scan, and Microsoft Office Lens, we’ve already done a comparison before. Check out CamScanner vs Adobe Scan vs Microsoft Office Lens for an in-depth analysis.
5. ScanBot
If you’re a die-hard CamScanner user, ScanBot seems to be the best option for you. ScanBot is a feature-rich document scanner that has pretty much the same CamScanner feature list. Both ScanBot and CamScanner feature support for scanning multiple types of documents, QR and Barcode scanners, multi-page documents, image correction, live syncing, and much more. Unlike CamScanner, ScanBot also features the support for iCloud Sync on iOS. In our experience, even the overall UI and smoothness of ScanBot is more pleasing than CamScanner. Unfortunately, all this comes at a cost. And the cost is especially higher for users of the forbidden fruit. The basic app with most of these features is still free though, so maybe all is not gone. Also, we did find the iOS version of the App to be a bit better than the Android version, in terms of both performance and reliability. Download ScanBot (Android | iOS)
6. Post-It
This may be a very off-beat suggestion but it can be helpful in ways you can’t imagine. Everyone uses 3M’s Post-It stickies to manage reminders, important jotted down information, and even contacts. The 3M Post-It app simply digitizes this information in the easiest way imaginable. You just point at your shelf, refrigerator door, or wherever you stick the notes and it instantly scans all of them. Next, it creates a virtual board with all your notes intact. You can even customize the scanned notes and add more information. The app might not seem a game-changer at first. But, once you realize the potential of it within an ecosystem, it’s usefulness becomes amazing. Imagine capturing your board on your iPhone, editing it further on an iPad with the Apple Pencil, and sharing it later from your PC. We recommend trying this app out if you use Post-Its. Download Post-It (Android | iOS)
7. iOS Notes App
Now, before you grab your pitchforks and start chasing us, hear us out! The stock Notes app that comes built into every iOS device has an in-built document scanner which is surprisingly great. Of course, the feature list is non-existent but whatever it offers, works. You can create PDF documents upto 30 pages. Further, you can share them, embed them in a note, or upload them on the cloud. And since it’s Apple we are talking about, you can rest be assured about privacy and Trojan horses.
Wrapping Up
There you have it! These are the best CamScanner alternatives right now. Google Drive for the casual user, Adobe Scan for the quality enthusiast, Microsoft Office Lens for the Office 365 Warrior, and ScanBot for the CamScanner power user. Of course, there’s the Post-It app if you feel like being different and creative. Finally, there’s the iOS Notes App which, while definitely not a CamScanner competitor, is still a reliable and robust option. Also Read: Best Free OCR Software for Windows 10
