Head-to-head · Document Scanning Software
PaperScan vs Readiris PDF
PaperScan leads on 1 check, Readiris PDF on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scorePaperScan · 8.6/10
- Free planonly PaperScan
- Free trialonly PaperScan
- Most featuresPaperScan · 3 of 4
PaperScan scores higher on our rubric for document scanning software: 8.6 against 8.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #8.
PaperScan offers free plan; Readiris PDF doesn't.
PaperScan is the better fit for windows users needing extensive export options. Readiris PDF is the better fit for OCR-heavy PDF conversion and editing.
- PaperScan fits best
Windows users needing extensive export options
- Readiris PDF fits best
OCR-heavy PDF conversion and editing
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Side by side
| Feature | PaperScan 8.6/10 Visit ↗ | Readiris PDF 8.2/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 8.6 | 8.2 |
| Ranking | #5 in Document Scanning Software | #8 in Document Scanning Software |
| Best for | Windows users needing extensive export options | OCR-heavy PDF conversion and editing |
| Pricing model | Free plan + paid | Paid |
| Starting price | $79 one-time | $99/device one-time |
| Free plan | ✓ (best) | — |
| Free trial | 30 days | — |
| Deployment | Desktop | Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows | Windows, macOS |
| Support | Tickets, Docs | Docs |
| Integrations | 3 integrations | 4 integrations |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market | Solo, Small business |
| Features PaperScan 3/4 · Readiris PDF 1/4 | ||
| Scanner support | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Camera capture | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Batch scanning | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Searchable PDF | ✓ | ✓ |
| Specs | ||
| OCR languages | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Supported platforms | Windows | Not checked yet |
| Export formats | PDF, PDF/A, PDF/UA, TIFF, JPEG, JPEG 2000, PNG, JBIG2, WEBP, DOCX, DOC, XLSX, PPTX, TXT, RTF, ODT, SVG, HTML, MHTML, DXF, MSG, EML, BMP, GIF, HEIF/HEIC | Not checked yet |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | PaperScan is Windows software for individuals, schools, and organizations that need to acquire, process, annotate, and export scanned documents. It connects to TWAIN and WIA scanners, supports flatbed and document feeder hardware, imports… Read the review → |
Readiris PDF is desktop software for scanning, OCR processing, converting, editing, and managing documents. It is designed for individuals, professionals, and organizations that work with scanned documents and image-only PDFs. Its core… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
PaperScan — where it wins
- Free edition includes duplex scanning and PDF/A output
- Supports batch scanning, OCR, image correction, and blank-page removal
- Exports to formats including PDF, DOCX, TIFF, and text
Where it doesn't
- Available only for Windows
- OCR is limited to the Professional Edition
- Professional pricing rises to $599 for a site license
Readiris PDF — where it wins
- OCR recognition in 138 languages
- Batch conversion with Office export and searchable PDFs
- Cloud export, forms, barcodes, and PDF/A archive support
Where it doesn't
- No free plan
- Desktop support is limited to Windows and macOS
- Perpetual licenses start at $99 one-time
- PaperScan8.6/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial
A Windows scanner app with a free edition, broad exports, and paid OCR capabilities.
Visit PaperScanFull verdict → - Readiris PDF8.2/10 · Paid
A capable desktop choice for OCR-heavy PDF conversion, editing, and document organization.
Visit Readiris PDFFull verdict →
PaperScan vs Readiris PDF: questions
Which is better for document scanning software, PaperScan or Readiris PDF?
PaperScan scores higher on our rubric for document scanning software: 8.6 against 8.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #8.
How do PaperScan and Readiris PDF compare?
Of the 4 checks we put side by side, PaperScan leads on 1, Readiris PDF on none, and 3 are level. Free plan only on PaperScan.
Do PaperScan and Readiris PDF have a free plan?
PaperScan: Yes. Readiris PDF: No.
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All document scanning software comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026
Last updated · How we research and update