Best Scanner Software in 2026
Updated
In short: Brother iPrint&Scan is ranked #1 of 21 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of Scanbot Barcode Scanner SDK and PaperScan. The best-ranked option with a free plan is PaperScan. The lowest first paid tier on this page is VueScan at £2.12/mo.
Scanning needs vary with your hardware, where files go, and what you do with them afterward. Compare ADF and duplex scanning support, whether OCR is included, and the available output formats. Cloud destinations and supported platforms can help clarify fit for your workflow, while free-plan availability and the “Paid from” detail give you cost points to consider. Brother iPrint&Scan, NAPS2, and PaperStream Capture appear among the first entries, alongside PaperScan and Epson Scan 2. The 22 products are arranged as a ranked best-of list, so weigh the listed features against your scanning setup and the way you handle finished documents.
21 scanner software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
Recognised 40% · Phone app 26% · Documented 20% · Free plan 14% of the score
- 1 Brother iPrint&Scan iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.8Free Supported platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, AndroidOCR included: YesADF support: Yes
- 2 Scanbot Barcode Scanner SDK iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.6 Supported platforms: ["windows", "linux"]OCR included: No
- 3 PaperScan No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.4Free Supported platforms: windows
- 4 XSane No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.4Free Supported platforms: Linux, WindowsADF support: Yes
- 5 Epson Scan 2 No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.3Free Supported platforms: Windows, macOS, LinuxOCR included: Yes
- 6 GNOME Document Scanner No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.3Free Supported platforms: linuxADF support: Yes
- 7 iCopy - Free Photocopier No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.3Free Supported platforms: WindowsADF support: Yes
- 8 PaperStream Capture No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.3Free Supported platforms: windows
- 9 Skanpage No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.3Free Supported platforms: LinuxOCR included: YesADF support: Yes
- 10 NAPS2 No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.2Free Supported platforms: windows, macos, linux
- 11 VueScan No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.6£2.12/mo Supported platforms: Windows, macOS, LinuxOCR included: YesADF support: Yes
- 12 Dynamic Web TWAIN No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.5 Supported platforms: windows, macos, web, linux
- 13 ExactScan No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.5 Supported platforms: windows, macos, linux
- 14 bcWebCam No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.2 Supported platforms: windows
- 15 Quick Scan No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.2 Supported platforms: Windows
- 16 ScanSpeeder No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.2 Supported platforms: windowsOCR included: YesADF support: Yes
- 17 Skanlite No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.2 Supported platforms: linux
- 18 XSane No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.2 Supported platforms: Linux, Unix, OS/2, WindowsADF support: Yes
- 19 SilverFast No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.1 Supported platforms: Windows, macOS
- 20 KODAK Capture Pro Software No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.0 Supported platforms: windows
- 21 Scanitto Pro No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 4.9
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which scanner software is ranked first on Samsung Mobile US Press?
Brother iPrint&Scan is ranked #1 of 21 with a score of 7.8. Scanbot Barcode Scanner SDK is second and PaperScan third.
How many of these have a free plan?
9 of the 21 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, VueScan has the lowest first paid tier we found: £2.12/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked mobile-first: a phone app alongside the web or desktop product, a free tier and the depth of its documentation. Paid placements never change a rank.