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Head-to-head · Mobile Scanning Apps

Smallpdf vs DocuWare

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score Smallpdf #3 in Mobile Scanning Apps 9.0/10 Free plan · 7-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 1 of 6 features Visit Smallpdf
DocuWare #8 in Mobile Scanning Apps 8.1/10 Paid ✓ 1 of 6 features Visit DocuWare

Smallpdf leads on 0 checks, DocuWare on 0, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreSmallpdf · 9.0/10
  • Free planonly Smallpdf
  • Free trialonly Smallpdf

Smallpdf scores higher on our rubric for mobile scanning apps: 9.0 against 8.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #8.

Smallpdf is the better fit for users needing a full PDF toolkit with scanning. DocuWare is the better fit for businesses needing scanning inside document workflows.

  • Smallpdf fits best

    Users needing a full PDF toolkit with scanning

  • DocuWare fits best

    Businesses needing scanning inside document workflows

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Smallpdf 9.0/10 Visit ↗ DocuWare 8.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.1
Ranking #3 in Mobile Scanning Apps #8 in Mobile Scanning Apps
Best for Users needing a full PDF toolkit with scanning Businesses needing scanning inside document workflows
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price $7/seat/mo —
Free plan ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Free trial 7 days —
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension Cloud, Self-hosted, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, iOS, Android, Chrome extension Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support Email, Tickets, Docs Email, Phone, Tickets, Docs
Compliance SOC 2, GDPR, ISO 27001 SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, HIPAA, SSO/SAML, 2FA
Integrations 5 integrations 1,000+ integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Smallpdf 1/6 · DocuWare 1/6
iOS app Not checked yet Not checked yet
Android app Not checked yet Not checked yet
OCR included ✓ ✓
Searchable PDF Not checked yet Not checked yet
Auto capture Not checked yet Not checked yet
Multipage PDF Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Scan limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • OCR, PDF editing, conversion, forms, signatures, and redaction
  • Web, Windows, iOS, Android, and Chrome extension support
  • Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, and Google Workspace integrations
  • OCR, handwritten-text recognition, indexing, and full-text search
  • Workflow automation, forms, task control, and document history
  • Granular permissions, audit trails, retention workflows, and mobile access
Cons
  • Free access includes limited downloads and mobile app access
  • OCR and text editing are included with Pro
  • Team pricing is charged per seat
  • Exact configuration requires a sales consultation
  • $30 per user monthly pricing may exceed mobile scanning needs
  • The broad platform can be more than teams seeking scanning alone
Our verdict

Smallpdf is a PDF software suite for individuals, small businesses, teams, and organizations that need scanning alongside broader document work. Its OCR recognizes text in scanned documents, while the wider toolkit covers editing,…

Read the review →

DocuWare is a document management and workflow automation platform for organizations that capture, index, store, search, and process business documents. It is suited to teams handling invoices, contracts, personnel files, customer records,…

Read the review →
  1. SmallpdfMobile Scanning Apps 9.0Free plan · 7-day trial
  2. DocuWareMobile Scanning Apps 8.1Paid

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Smallpdf — where it wins

    • OCR, PDF editing, conversion, forms, signatures, and redaction
    • Web, Windows, iOS, Android, and Chrome extension support
    • Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, and Google Workspace integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • Free access includes limited downloads and mobile app access
    • OCR and text editing are included with Pro
    • Team pricing is charged per seat

  • DocuWare — where it wins

    • OCR, handwritten-text recognition, indexing, and full-text search
    • Workflow automation, forms, task control, and document history
    • Granular permissions, audit trails, retention workflows, and mobile access

    Where it doesn't

    • Exact configuration requires a sales consultation
    • $30 per user monthly pricing may exceed mobile scanning needs
    • The broad platform can be more than teams seeking scanning alone

More comparisons

All mobile scanning apps comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update