Scan Now: PDF Document Scanner

What it does

Scan Now is a productivity tool designed to turn a smartphone into a portable document scanner. Its core function is to capture or import images and convert them into PDF files. Beyond simple conversion, the app offers a suite of tools for document management, including editing, cropping, signing, and adding text or watermarks. It also includes advanced features like text extraction (OCR) and a built-in library of common forms for users to download and fill out.

Where it shines

The app excels by providing a comprehensive set of tools that go beyond basic scanning. A standout feature is the 'Download Forms & Files' library (04:29), which provides users with templates for common documents like tax forms. This adds a layer of utility that anticipates user needs. The editing suite is also robust, allowing for precise cropping (01:03) and easy application of signatures (05:32) and watermarks (04:43), making it a powerful tool for on-the-go document handling.

UX highlights

The central Floating Action Button (FAB) opens a menu with six clear, icon-driven options for creating content (00:36), making feature discovery easy.
File management is intuitive, with standard actions like 'Move' (03:26) and 'Delete' (02:07) accessible from a simple three-dot menu.
The document editor provides a clean interface with bottom-toolbar controls for adjustments, filters, and other tools (01:14).
The app uses a double-prompt system for ratings: a general feedback modal first (01:48), followed by a direct App Store rating prompt (01:53) for positive responders.
Adding a password to a document is a straightforward process, initiated from the file management menu and handled through a clean modal (04:01).
The text editing tool offers a good range of formatting options, including font selection, size, and color, similar to a lightweight word processor (02:43).

Monetization & growth

The app's monetization strategy is front and center. After a brief welcome screen with social proof (00:09), the user is funneled directly into a paywall flow. A screen highlighting key features and the subscription price (00:18) precedes the native iOS subscription prompt (00:24). The app uses a hard paywall, requiring the user to subscribe to a 3-day free trial, which then converts to a $9.99/week plan, to gain access to any of its features. This aggressive approach prioritizes immediate conversion over letting users experience the app first.

Who it’s for

This app is designed for professionals, students, and anyone who regularly handles documents and needs a mobile solution. Its feature set is well-suited for tasks like scanning receipts, signing contracts, filling out forms, or digitizing notes. The inclusion of a forms library and robust editing tools suggests a target audience that requires more than just a basic scanner and values an all-in-one document productivity app.

Notes & opportunities

The app's functionality is strong, but the user experience could be refined in a few areas. The immediate, hard paywall may deter users who want to test the app's capabilities before committing, even to a free trial. The file list view presents both 'Recent files' and 'All files' sections, which becomes redundant when there is only one file (01:59). Consolidating this view until more files or folders are created could clean up the interface. Finally, some pop-ups like the rating modals appear quite frequently, which could feel disruptive.