A Scanner Pro alternative that runs on iOS 17 and on the Mac
Scanlio is an alternative to Adobe Scan, CamScanner, Genius Scan, Scanner Pro, Microsoft Lens and the built-in Apple Notes and Files scanner for people who want scanning, OCR, signing and PDF editing in one app without uploading their documents to a cloud.
Scanner Pro by Readdle is the scanner many iPhone users bought years ago as a paid app and have kept since. It now ships as a free download with a Scanner Pro Plus in-app purchase, it includes OCR, a signature tool and annotation, and it carries a 4.9-star average across about 335,000 ratings. It is a strong product. The reasons people search for a Scanner Pro alternative tend to be practical: it requires iOS 18, there is no Mac app on its listing, the Plus tier is a recurring purchase, and the free-tier limits are not spelled out. This page lays out those points from the listing, then shows where Scanlio differs and how to move your files.
What Scanner Pro does well
Scanner Pro's listing describes text recognition that turns scans into searchable text, a signature feature introduced in version 8.36 so you can sign inside the app, and editing by highlighting, writing and drawing on documents. It integrates with Dropbox, Evernote, Google Drive, Box, iCloud Drive, OneDrive, OneNote and WebDAV storage, and offers iCloud sync. Plus features include Auto Name, Smart Filters, Measure Mode and, on iOS 26, a Translator. Add-ons such as a fax pack ($0.99) and an expense report ($4.99) are listed too. It runs on iPhone, iPad and Apple Vision.
Where people look for an alternative
- iOS 18 or later is required. The listing states iOS 18.0, iPadOS 18.0 or visionOS 2.0. Anyone on an iPhone or iPad that stopped at iOS 17 cannot install the current version.
- No Mac app on the listing. Scanner Pro's App Store page lists iPhone, iPad and Apple Vision. A Mac version is not verified.
- Recurring Plus purchase. Scanner Pro Plus items are listed between $3.99 and $59.99 at the time of writing. The listing describes Plus as “professional scanning without ads and limits”, which implies the free tier has both; the exact free-tier limits are not verified.
- Cloud-centred workflow. The integrations are a strength, but they mean documents routinely leave the device. Whether basic scanning requires an account is not verified from the listing.
- No PDF text editing or white-out listed. Editing is described as highlighting, writing and drawing. Adding a typed text box or covering a line is not listed.
- No ID or passport mode listed. Not verified.
How Scanlio compares
Scanlio runs on iOS 17, iPadOS 17 and macOS 14 or later, so it covers one more iOS generation than Scanner Pro and adds a native Mac app. OCR, a reusable signature, movable text boxes, white-out, freehand annotation, merging and splitting are all in the app, and PDF converts to Word, images or plain text. Nothing is uploaded and there is no account. On price, the App Store listing shows Scanlio Pro as weekly, monthly or yearly subscriptions and as a one-time Lifetime purchase at $119.99 at the time of writing; the free tier gives every tool a shared allowance and never blocks saving.
| Scanlio | Scanner Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Price model | Free download; Pro as weekly, monthly or yearly subscription, or a one-time Lifetime purchase listed at $119.99 (App Store, at the time of writing) | Free download; Scanner Pro Plus $3.99–$59.99, fax pack $0.99, expense report $4.99 (App Store listing at the time of writing); one-time vs subscription not verified |
| OCR on the free tier | Yes, within a shared free allowance; unlimited with Pro | OCR described as included; free-tier limits not verified |
| Sign PDFs | Yes, reusable signature drawn once | Yes, signature feature since version 8.36 |
| Edit PDF text / white-out | Text boxes, white-out, freehand draw and highlight | Highlight, write and draw; text boxes and white-out not listed |
| Merge / split / extract pages | Yes | Not verified |
| PDF to Word | Yes (Word/.rtf), images and plain text | Not listed; not verified |
| ID / passport mode | Guide frame, front-and-back capture, Face ID or PIN lock | Not listed; not verified |
| Where files are stored | On your device only; no upload | Device, iCloud sync, and export to Dropbox, Drive, Box, OneDrive, OneNote, Evernote, WebDAV |
| Account required | No | Not verified |
| Platforms | iPhone, iPad, Mac (iOS 17 / iPadOS 17 / macOS 14 or later) | iPhone, iPad, Apple Vision (iOS 18 / iPadOS 18 / visionOS 2 or later); Mac not verified |
Scanlio's limits, stated plainly: no Apple Vision app, no fax, no expense-report generator, no background cloud export, and the free iPhone and iPad version shows non-personalised ads (none on Mac, none with Pro). The app was first released in June 2026 and is at version 1.0.17.
Who should stay with Scanner Pro
If you scan straight into Evernote, OneNote or a WebDAV server, Scanner Pro's integrations are the reason to keep it. Its Measure Mode, Translator and expense report add-on have no equivalent in Scanlio. Apple Vision owners have a Scanner Pro app and no Scanlio app. And if you already paid for Plus and are happy with iOS 18, there is no cost to staying.
How to switch from Scanner Pro to Scanlio
- Export your Scanner Pro documents as PDF to the Files app. If you had iCloud sync on, the files may already be in iCloud Drive.
- Install Scanlio. It opens on the library; there is no sign-up.
- Tap “+” and import PDFs or PNG, JPG and HEIC images from Files or Photos.
- Run OCR on anything you want searchable. Scanlio's full-text search then covers the imported files as well as new scans.
- If you also want the files on your Mac, install Scanlio from the Mac App Store and move the PDFs across with AirDrop or the Files app. Scanlio has no sync service, so each device keeps its own copy.
Frequently asked questions
Does Scanlio work on iOS 17?
Yes. Scanlio requires iOS 17, iPadOS 17 or macOS 14 or later. Scanner Pro's App Store listing requires iOS 18, iPadOS 18 or visionOS 2.
Is there a Scanlio app for Mac?
Yes. Scanlio is a universal app for iPhone, iPad and Mac. The Mac version shows no ads. Scanner Pro's listing covers iPhone, iPad and Apple Vision; a Mac version is not verified.
Does Scanlio have cloud integrations like Scanner Pro?
No built-in integrations. Scanlio keeps files on the device and shares through the iOS share sheet to Mail, AirDrop, WhatsApp or any app, including cloud apps you already use.
Can I buy Scanlio once instead of subscribing?
The App Store listing shows a one-time Lifetime in-app purchase at $119.99 at the time of writing, alongside weekly, monthly and yearly Scanlio Pro subscriptions. The free tier works within a shared allowance and never blocks saving.
Can Scanlio add text or white-out on a scan?
Yes. The editor adds movable, resizable text boxes, a white-out tool to cover and replace existing text, and freehand drawing and highlighting. Scanner Pro's listing describes highlighting, writing and drawing.
Download Scanlio free on the App Store
Related guides
Sources: Scanlio on the App Store (v1.0.17, 26 Aug 2026), Scanner Pro on the App Store (features, requirements and prices from its listing), Scanlio privacy policy. Prices are those listed on the US App Store on 6 September 2026 and can change.