Use Look Scanned if you start from Word, PowerPoint, Excel or e-book files, want unlimited free single scans, or need stamps and watermarks. Use PDF2Scan if you want quick presets, JPG or PNG output, several files merged into one scanned PDF, color scans at up to 300 dpi or saved presets, with one-time pricing from $1.99 and 1 free export per day.
- Both process standard scans locally in the browser.
- Look Scanned accepts far more input formats and has 24 interface languages.
- PDF2Scan exports PDF, JPG or PNG and can merge up to 10 files into one scanned PDF.
- Look Scanned’s standard scanning is free; its Bulk Scan and API are paid Pro features.
- PDF2Scan is free for 1 export per day; passes and credits are one-time payments, never a subscription.
Side-by-side
| PDF2Scan | Look Scanned | |
|---|---|---|
| Free use | 1 export per day, no signup, no watermark | Standard scanning free, no signup |
| Paid options | 1-Hour Pass $1.99, 24-Hour Pass $2.99, 100 credits $4.99 (one-time) | Pro features: Bulk Scan and API Scan |
| Processing | In the browser | In the browser (API is a separate online service) |
| Input formats | PDF, JPG, PNG | PDF, images, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Markdown, EPUB and many more |
| Output formats | PDF, JPG, PNG | |
| Presets | Subtle, Office, Old, Heavy + saved presets (PRO) | Adjustable settings |
| Effects | Grayscale/color, rotation, noise, blur, contrast, brightness, paper tint, edge shadow (PRO) | Blur, noise, rotation, paper tone, color adjustments, paper edges |
| Extras | Merge several files into one scanned PDF (PRO) | Watermarks, stamps, signatures, metadata editing |
| Batch | Up to 10 files, ZIP or merged PDF (PRO) | Bulk Scan (Pro) |
| Resolution | 150 dpi free; 200/300 dpi PRO | Adjustable |
| Languages | 8 | 24 |
| Source code | Closed | Open source on GitHub |
Look Scanned details from lookscanned.io, checked October 5, 2026.
Where Look Scanned is the better choice
- You start from Office or e-book files. It converts Word, PowerPoint, Excel and many other formats directly; with PDF2Scan you would export to PDF first.
- You need stamps, watermarks or a drawn signature added during the scan.
- You want unlimited free single scans and do not need images out.
- You prefer open-source software you can inspect or self-host.
- Your language is one of the 16 that PDF2Scan does not offer.
Where PDF2Scan is the better choice
- You need JPG or PNG files, for example for a portal that only accepts images. PDF2Scan exports one image per page (zipped for multi-page files).
- You want one scanned PDF from several files, such as an ID front and back plus a proof of address. PRO merges up to 10 files and counts it as one export.
- Color must survive: red stamps, blue-ink signatures, logos. PRO keeps original colors while adding the scan look.
- You process the same kind of document often. Presets get you to a realistic result in one click, and saved presets keep every batch identical.
- You want a short session without a subscription. A 1-hour pass costs $1.99 for unlimited exports.
Privacy
For standard scans, both tools render the document in your browser, so the file is not uploaded. Look Scanned’s optional API Scan is a separate online service that receives files. PDF2Scan has no upload path at all: only an export counter is checked on our server.
Try both on the same file
The fastest way to decide is to run your own document through each tool and compare the smallest text at 200% zoom. Start with the Office preset in PDF2Scan; previewing is always free and the first export each day costs nothing.
Looking at other options too? See the 7 best tools to make a PDF look scanned.