For a single document, PDF2Scan, Look Scanned and 10015.io all make a PDF look scanned in your browser without uploading it. Pick PDF2Scan if you want presets, JPG/PNG output, batch processing, merging several files into one scanned PDF or color scans at 300 dpi. Pick Look Scanned if you need to start from Word, PowerPoint or Excel files. Use ImageMagick for scripted, offline batches.
- Browser-based tools that process locally (PDF2Scan, Look Scanned, 10015.io) are the best default for private documents.
- i2PDF’s page states that files are automatically deleted after 30 minutes, which indicates server-side processing.
- PDF2Scan stands out for presets, image output, merging into one PDF, color and 300 dpi (PRO).
- Look Scanned accepts the widest range of input formats, including Office documents.
- ImageMagick and GIMP are free and offline but require skill and time.
Comparison table
| Tool | Price | Where files are processed | Input | Output | Batch | Standout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PDF2Scan | 1 free/day; passes $1.99–2.99 or 100 credits $4.99 | In your browser | PDF, JPG, PNG | PDF, JPG, PNG | Up to 10 files, ZIP or one merged PDF (PRO) | Presets, color, 300 dpi, edge shadow, saved presets |
| Look Scanned | Free; Bulk and API are paid Pro features | In your browser (API is a separate online service) | PDF, images, Word, PowerPoint, Excel and more | Bulk Scan (paid) | Widest input formats, stamps, watermarks, signatures | |
| 10015.io Scanned PDF Converter | Free | In your browser (Word files are converted on a server) | PDF, DOCX, JPG, PNG, WebP, GIF | PDF, PNG | Multi-page only | Paper border toggle, per-page random tilt |
| i2PDF PDF to Scan | Free | Online; files are auto-deleted after 30 minutes | Not stated | DPI and color profile options | ||
| ImageMagick | Free, open source | Your computer | PDF (with Ghostscript), images | PDF, images | Unlimited via scripts | Automation |
| GIMP | Free, open source | Your computer | PDF, images | PDF, images | Manual | Full manual control |
| Print and scan | Paper, toner, scanner | Your office | Paper | Manual | A real physical scan |
Based on each tool’s own website, checked on October 5, 2026. Features and prices change; verify before relying on them.
1. PDF2Scan: best for repeat use, images and merged PDFs
PDF2Scan renders PDFs, JPGs and PNGs in your browser and applies grayscale or color, rotation, noise, blur, contrast, brightness and paper tint, with four presets (Subtle, Office, Old, Heavy) and a live split preview.
- Free: 1 export per day, no signup, no watermark.
- Paid (one-time): 1-Hour Pass $1.99, 24-Hour Pass $2.99, or 100 credits for $4.99 that never expire.
- PRO with any paid plan: batch of up to 10 files, merge into one scanned PDF counted as one export, color scans, 200/300 dpi, scanner edge shadow, saved presets.
- Output: PDF, JPG or PNG (multi-page images come as a ZIP).
Limitations: only PDF, JPG and PNG input (export Word files to PDF first); the free tier is one export per day.
2. Look Scanned: best for Office documents and extras
Look Scanned is a popular free, open-source tool with a public GitHub repository. Standard scanning is free, needs no signup and processes files locally. It accepts PDFs, images and Office files (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) plus many other formats, and adds blur, noise, rotation, paper tone, watermarks, stamps and signatures. Bulk Scan and an API are paid Pro features; the site lists 24 languages.
Choose it if you start from Office files or need stamps and watermarks. Consider PDF2Scan instead if you need JPG/PNG output, one merged PDF from several files, or quick presets.
3. 10015.io Scanned PDF Converter: best free single-file option
Part of a large free toolbox. It processes files in the browser (Word files need a server conversion), offers rotation, brightness, contrast, scale, blur, noise, a black-and-white toggle, a paper border and a high-resolution option, and gives each page a slightly different random tilt. It exports PDF or PNG.
Choose it if you need one free file with a paper border. It has no presets or batch of separate files.
4. i2PDF “PDF to Scan”: quick, with DPI and color profile
A free online tool that converts PDF pages to images with options for DPI, color profile, tilt and noise. Its page notes that files are automatically deleted after 30 minutes, which means the document is processed online rather than only in your browser.
Choose it if the document is not sensitive and you want explicit DPI control.
5. ImageMagick: best for developers and automation
Free and offline. One command rasterizes a PDF and adds grayscale, contrast, blur, noise and rotation; a short script can process thousands of files. It needs Ghostscript and some tuning, and some Linux distributions block PDF input by default through ImageMagick’s security policy. See the exact command in our step-by-step guide.
6. GIMP: best for one page you want to art-direct
Free and offline, with total control: desaturate, add noise, blur, rotate, darken edges by hand. It is slow for multi-page documents and results vary with your skill.
7. Print and scan: when it must be a real scan
The only method that produces a genuinely physical scan. Use it when a process explicitly requires paper. It costs time, paper and toner, and needs a scanner or a phone scanner app.
Which one should you use?
| Your situation | Best pick |
|---|---|
| One private PDF, right now | PDF2Scan, Look Scanned or 10015.io |
| You need JPG or PNG images out | PDF2Scan (or 10015.io for PNG) |
| Several files merged into one scanned PDF | PDF2Scan PRO |
| Red stamps or blue signatures must stay in color | PDF2Scan PRO (color mode) |
| You start from a Word or PowerPoint file | Look Scanned, or export to PDF first |
| Hundreds of files, scripted | ImageMagick |
| The process requires a physical scan | Print and scan |
How we compared
Feature, pricing and privacy details for other tools come from each tool’s own website, checked on October 5, 2026; we did not run benchmarks on them. PDF2Scan is our product; we have tried to describe the alternatives fairly, including where they do more than we do. If something has changed, tell us and we will update this page.