Which is the best receipt scanner? A receipt scanner is non-negotiable for small businesses or the self-employed who need to track tax write-offs and expense reports. In this guide, we’ll walk you through ten of the best receipt scanners or invoice scanners on the market, what they do best, and what they could improve upon.
If you’re ready to turn your cluttered “receipts folder” into easy-to-manage scanned documents in just a few seconds, keep reading!
Our Top Picks for Best Receipt Scanners
Best Overall Receipt Scanner
The Brother ADS-1700W, while not the prettiest portable receipt scanner on this list, is our best overall winner because it’s the ideal combination of price, size, and function.
This duplex receipt scanner is easy to fold down to a smaller size for portability, and while the document feeder only scans documents 20 pages at a time, that’s pretty impressive for a portable scanner that’s 12 inches long and only weighs 1.5 pounds. Scanning speeds are roughly 16ppm and you can save to specific file locations.
Additionally, this unit applies automatic image and text correction, and it comes with downloadable OCR (optical character recognition) software, too. The built-in touch screen is a bit small, but it’s impressive enough that a portable unit has touch screen navigation, to begin with.
And finally, while the price is average for this list, it’s appropriate for the number of features you get with this model.
The main downside we see with the Brother ADS-1700W is that you have to download the software and drivers separately; it doesn’t have the plug-and-play capability that more user-friendly models have. It also cannot scan multiple pages, you have to scan receipts individually though you can later save the scanned files together in one document.
Pros: Easy to use and solid scanner.
Cons: Cannot scan two-sided documents, scans one sheet at a time.
Most Portable Receipt Scanner
Speaking of user-friendly, if you’re looking for a mobile receipt scanner that won’t give you a headache while you figure out how to scan receipts, the Doxie Go SE is the way to go.
This portable scanner is the only entry on this list that doesn’t require a computer, a cord, or an internet connection to use. It’s a truly portable model that can work just about anywhere.
The secret to the Doxie Go SE is its onboard memory. This little scanner can scan up to 4,000 sheets of paper before you need to transfer the files to a computer, and it can scan up to 400 sheets on one charge, too.
Additionally, the software included is straightforward enough to be usable by anyone.
While it’s not the fastest scanner on this list by a long shot (it takes a full eight seconds to scan one sheet of paper), the plug-and-play, use-anywhere functionality, and built-in OCR software make it an excellent pick for those who want something simple.
Overall Runner-Up Receipt Scanner
Although the Doxie we looked at above is incredibly functional in its own right, it lost out to the Canon ImageFORMULA R10 when it comes to “bang for your buck.”
For one, while the Canon is a duplex scanner, the Doxie can only scan one side at a time. The Canon ImageFORMULA R10 is just as portable as the Doxie, as well.
The Canon is the same price as the Doxie above, but it comes with a document feeder capable of handling 20 pages to the Doxie’s single-sheet capability.
Additionally, the R10 comes with built-in software just like the Doxie. It’s quite a bit faster, as well, as it can scan a page entirely in five seconds instead of the Doxie’s eight.
All in all, while the R10 doesn’t have the same use-anywhere functionality that the Doxie does (it does require a USB computer connection), it surpasses it in nearly every other regard.
Budget Pick Receipt Scanner
If you’re looking for receipt scanners on a budget, the Brother DS-640 should be high on your list. While this is the least expensive scanner we look at here, the DS-640 is by no means lacking in functionality.
While it’s a one-sided single-sheet scanner, it showcases lightning-fast speeds (as little as 3.75 seconds for one sheet of paper) and a minimal form factor.
This scanner is straightforward to use, too. While it’s not plug-and-play ready, the related software is free to download and connects easily to cloud-based storage. It comes with OCR software and automatic text adjustments, too.
Premium Pick Receipt Scanner
The Fujitsu SnapScan iX1500 Deluxe is an excellent option for those who need speed, functionality, and versatility all in one, especially if you don’t mind a larger form factor.
While the iX1500 wasn’t designed to be super portable, it’s portable enough to be moved when necessary.
The iX1500 comes with a four-inch touchscreen for easy use, and it can work fully independent of a computer, too, though it does need an internet connection to do this.
The iX1500 is also unique in that it offers user profiles, meaning different people can switch between different settings and folders quickly and easily. This is extremely valuable for office environments where workers might share the receipt scanners between themselves.
However, keep in mind that the main downfall of the iX1500 is its price. This unit will set you back nearly five times as much as our budget pick, the Brother DS-640.
Best Desktop Receipt Scanner
The Canon ImageFORUMLA R40 is an excellent pick for those looking to find a happy medium between expensive, feature-filled scanners and single-sheet portable models.
While this is a desktop model, it has a minimal form factor that makes it easy to store when it’s not in use. It doesn’t have a touch screen, but the affordable price tag helps make up for that.
However, this scanner’s most appealing aspects are its 60-sheet document feeder and its high scanning speed. This model is fast enough to scan up to 40 pages per minute, making it an excellent pick for those concerned with speed and productivity.
Fastest Portable Receipt Scanner
If you need to pack as many features as you can into a portable document scanner, the Epson DS-80W may be what you’ve been looking for. This small-but-mighty scanner comes with a battery for wireless use, but it can connect and charge via USB, too.
While this scanner isn’t the fastest on our list by a long shot, it’s one of the fastest portable models on this list. While it’s a bit more expensive than the Brother DS-640 above, it can keep up with it in scanning speed.
However, unlike the DS-640, the DS-80W can connect to WiFi and scan to the cloud entirely independently of a computer.
Best for Receipt Software
Unlike most of the other scanners on this list, Epson designed the Workforce ES-55R for scanning receipts. It can handle other documents with ease, of course, but the ES-55R comes with receipt management software specifically included, which the other receipt scanners on this list cannot boast.
If you usually work with receipts, this software can be a game-changer. It allows the scanner to take information from the receipt, categorize the file accordingly, and even export specific data to other programs without your intervention. It truly has one of the best receipt scanning software on this list.
While its single-sheet status and speed of six seconds per sheet are somewhat unimpressive, you can’t beat it for receipt organization.
Highest Capacity Receipt Scanner
While very few receipts are double-sided, it’s always nice to have a duplex-capable scanner handy just in case you need to record any double-sided scanned receipt.
The Epson Workforce ES-580W excels at this with a 100-sheet document feeder (the highest on this list by 40 sheets), color scanning, a helpful 4.3-inch touchscreen, and the ability to save to a USB drive. The ES-580W is a receipt reader and is one of only two scanners on this list that is a receipt saver that is able to save to onboard memory.
However, the Epson Workforce stands out because of the time-saving Epson software suite that comes with it. It does come complete with the usual OCR, but extra features such as automatic file naming and single-step duplex scanning help put it over the top.
Best Display Receipt Scanner
If you need a large, visible display to help you navigate emerging technology, you’re in luck: there’s a scanner for that! The Raven document scanner is a space-saving desktop scanner that can scan directly to the cloud, email, DropBox, and several other options. While the Raven can operate without a computer, it doesn’t come with a battery, so it’s not truly “portable.”
The most important feature of the Raven Pro Document Scanner, however, is the aforementioned eight-inch LCD touchscreen. The large, bright screen and user-friendly operating system make it easy to use, even for those who don’t typically do well with technology.
Because the screen is so large, you can even edit your documents (such as de-skewing, cropping, and rotations) right from the screen.
While the Raven Original’s price is a bit steep in our opinion, some may find it worth it because of those extra usability features.
What features to look for in a receipt scanner
Speed
Speed is an important factor to take into consideration as you’re likely getting a receipt scanner to save you time. While faster scanners and features like duplex scanning generally cost more, you might find the time savings more than makes up for it. Look for the scanner’s PPM or pages per minute when making a decision.
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If you’re planning to use the receipt scanner on the go, size and weight are critical. If you’re planning to use it in the office, you can get a desktop scanner with all the extra features.
Compatibility
You’ll want to check that any scanner you choose can easily fit into your existing workflow. Whether it exports to your accounting software, an excel spreadsheet, or the cloud. The goal is to save you time and frustration, not to create extra work.
FAQs
Do I really need a receipt scanner?
Do you really need another device to scan receipts? In general, digital files are a lot easier to track, share, and insert into an expense report. While a receipt scanner isn’t necessary for everyone, it can be a game-changer if you travel for business or get a large number of paper receipts. You won’t have to worry about losing the paper trail and can also use it to easily scan other physical documents on the go.
Should I just use a receipt scanner on my phone or tablet?
Using a receipt scanning app on your phone or tablet can be practical. After all, most of us carry around our phones anyway and wouldn’t don’t need another device. The main time to consider a dedicated receipt scanner is when it will save you time. Rather than manually taking photos of each receipt, with a receipt scanner, you can set up a pile of receipts and let the scanner feed them through itself.
What’s the difference between single or duplex scanning?
In single-pass duplex scanning, both sides of the piece of paper are scanned at the same time. Single or simplex scanning means only one side is scanned at a time. Obviously, duplex scanning is a time saver if you have multiple double-sided pages through scanning speeds can be slower.
In single-pass duplex scanning, both sides of the piece of paper are scanned at the same time. Single or simplex scanning means only one side is scanned at a time. Obviously, duplex scanning is a time saver if you have multiple double-sided pages through scanning speeds can be slower.
How can a receipt scanner help with expense reporting?
Keeping track of paper receipts and physical documents is a headache, especially if you are dealing with a high quantity or are traveling. Scanned receipts can be imported directly into your accounting software and streamline your expense reporting.
Can I use my receipt scanner to scan documents or handwritten notes?
In general yes, your receipt scanner should work for most regular-sized documents on paper and even handwritten notes in addition to scanning receipts.
Should I get a desktop or a mobile receipt scanner?
Desktop scanner features are often more robust, for instance, the ability to scan multiple sheets, higher optical resolution, duplex scanning, and auto-feed function. Mobile devices might not have all the features, for instance, you may need to manually feed the scanned documents, however, the major advantage is portability. Receipt scanning on the go when you’re out of the office can keep you organized and save headaches in the long run.
Where do my scanned receipts get saved?
Where your digital files will be saved depends on your receipt scanner and configuration. Some will save scanned documents to USB memory storage other have an included software suite with accounting software, others will import it to a Google drive, Excel files, or cloud services.