In the quest for a paperless existence, many individuals assume that a scanner is a necessity. While traditional hardware scanners simplify the process of converting multipage documents into PDFs, access to such devices is often limited. Fortunately, most of us carry smartphones equipped with impressive cameras, paving the way for scanning applications to fill this gap.
Introducing FairScan
Scanning apps enable users to photograph each page of a document, crop the images, straighten them, and compile the photos into a single PDF file. However, the abundance of options can be overwhelming, with many apps falling short of expectations. This is where FairScan distinguishes itself. Designed for Android users, FairScan is a straightforward application focused solely on scanning documents.
Creator Pierre-Yves Nicolas shared his frustrations in a blog post, recounting his experiences with various Android scanning apps. He noted that many exhibited undesirable traits, such as intrusive ads, questionable privacy practices, and the unsettling tendency to store documents in the cloud for AI training—often with minimal disclosure.
In contrast, FairScan is both free and open-source, prioritizing user privacy and simplicity. The app’s functionality is refreshingly uncomplicated: it scans.
To begin, users can easily download FairScan from the Google Play Store or F-Droid, a repository dedicated to open-source Android applications. Once installed, users should prepare their document on a flat surface in a well-lit area. By aiming the camera at the first page, a green box will appear, allowing for adjustments to ensure the desired portion is captured. Once aligned, users can take the picture.
For multipage documents, the app allows users to click a plus button to add additional pages, repeating the process as needed. When finished, scanned pages can be exported either as a single PDF or multiple JPEG files.
While using FairScan, lighting plays a crucial role. To avoid shadows, it’s essential to position the phone away from the light source. Optimal results are often achieved in rooms with diffuse lighting, whether from multiple artificial lights or ample natural sunlight. Additionally, ensuring the document lies as flat as possible can help minimize distortions.
Despite its simplicity, there are features that could enhance the user experience, such as the ability to edit pages post-capture and optical character recognition (OCR) for digitizing text and making it searchable. However, the app’s primary strength lies in its ability to perform its intended function without unnecessary distractions.
This raises an important observation about the current technology landscape. Many applications seem designed to extract value from users through ads, subscriptions, or data sales, rather than serving as genuine tools. In contrast, FairScan operates like a traditional tool—much like a hammer that simply does its job without demanding extra fees or bombarding users with notifications. In a market cluttered with convoluted offerings, FairScan’s straightforward approach is indeed a breath of fresh air.
