Best Alternatives to Stack PDF Scanner (Now That It’s Gone)
- bentem
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
🔸 Introduction
If you’re here, chances are you were a fan of Stack: PDF Scanner — Google’s sleek, smart document scanning app created by their Area 120 incubator. You’re not alone.
When Stack launched, users loved its ability to:
Detect document edges automatically
Classify documents intelligently
Sync to the cloud seamlessly
But in September 2024, Stack was officially shut down by Google, and it's no longer available on the Play Store.
So if you're looking for a replacement that actually works today, here are some of the best alternatives — including one that's built with simplicity, speed, and student life in mind.

🔹 1. Notebloc Scanner 🧠📄
Best for: Students, teachers, creators and anyone who wants a clean, unlimited scanner
If you loved Stack’s simplicity, you’ll feel right at home with Notebloc.
✅ 100% free and unlimited
✅ Works on Android and iOS
✅ Automatically detects edges
✅ Allows multipage scans for effortless book scanning
✅ Supports organising scanned documents into folders
✅ Built with educators and students in mind
Notebloc also skips the bloated features of enterprise scanner apps, and focuses on clean scans, smart tools, and no fuss.
🟢 Why it’s great as a Stack replacement:It brings the same clean experience — but it's still here, still supported, and still free.
💡 Bonus: Notebloc Scanner is also part of Google Play Pass, so if you're subscribed, you get the premium version included — no ads, no limits.
🔹 2. Google Drive Scanner (Android only)
Best for: Quick scans that sync with your Google account
While Stack is gone, Google integrated some of its scanning tech into the Drive app itself. You can scan from the “+” button in Google Drive on Android.
✅ Integrates directly with Google Drive
✅ Basic edge detection
✅ No extra app to install
⚠️ Lacks smart categorization or batch tools
⚠️ iOS version doesn’t include this feature
🔹 3. Microsoft Lens
Best for: Scanning to OneNote or Word
Microsoft Lens is a strong enterprise-style app with:
✅ Excellent OCR
✅ Whiteboard and document mode
s✅ Direct export to Word, PowerPoint, and OneNote
⚠️ Some features require Microsoft sign-in
⚠️ UI may feel complex if you just want fast scans
🔹 4. Adobe Scan
Best for: Users deep in Adobe’s ecosystem
Adobe Scan includes:
✅ Smart scan correction and cleanup
✅ Text recognition (OCR)
✅ Integration with Adobe cloud
⚠️ Requires an Adobe account
🧠 Final Thoughts: What Made Stack Great — and Where to Go Now
Stack stood out for its:
Minimalist design
Auto-organization features
Free access
But since it’s now discontinued, Notebloc Scanner is a rare app that delivers those same values — and is actually getting better.
Whether you're scanning study notes, receipts, contracts, or sketches, Notebloc keeps it simple, sharp, and supported.
➕ What Users Are Saying
"Easy to use, no fuss. Does what it needs to do." Pascal C.
"so far loving this app, simple and light. please maintain its simplicity. thanks" Magnus M.
"I love this app. It's very helpful for a student like me" Kathleen A.
"I really like this app for creating PDFs from photos. Included in my Google Play subscription, this app is basically one of the reasons I keep paying for my Google Play Pass subscription." José L.
📥 Ready to Try Notebloc?
Still free. Still unlimited. Still improving.
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