Overview

Brother iPrint&Scan is a free companion app for owners of supported Brother printers and all-in-ones who want to print or scan from a phone, tablet, or computer. Its strongest case is pairing everyday mobile jobs with configurable desktop scan workflows; its main compromise is that useful features depend on the exact machine and, for mobile jobs, a shared Wi-Fi network.

Key features

Mobile printing and scanning

Mobile users can print photos, documents, and web pages, with Gmail and cloud services also named as print sources in the Android FAQ. Scans can be saved to the device or cloud storage, emailed, or passed to another app, depending on platform. The iOS listing names Dropbox, OneDrive, and Evernote for cloud printing and iCloud as a scan destination. PDF and JPEG output, OCR, and ADF support round out the scanning offer, though machine and platform compatibility still govern what works.

Some newer supported models add image editing, fax sending and preview, copy preview, and machine status. That breadth is useful if the printer supports it, but it is not a safe reason to choose the app before checking the model. On iOS, contact access is required for fax functions; location access is optional for device discovery features such as Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth, or NFC.

Desktop scan control

Windows and macOS versions expose scan size, color, resolution, brightness, contrast, file type, destination, and target application. Users can save combinations as Workflows and reuse them later, which makes the desktop version more practical for repeat document routines than a basic one-off scan utility. The supported Brother machine remains essential.

Pricing

The Free plan costs 0.00 USD per free and is a free application rather than a metered service. It includes the app’s printing and scanning features, but requires a supported Brother machine and does not make every feature available on every model. There are no paid tiers or seat and quota limits in the stated plan, so the decision is primarily hardware compatibility rather than subscription cost.

Platforms

iPrint&Scan supports Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. Brother’s support page gives Windows 7 or later and macOS 10.10 or later as desktop requirements. Mobile use requires the device and machine to be on the same Wi-Fi network; mobile printing and scanning are not supported by every Brother machine. Google Play’s developer disclosure says data is encrypted in transit, not shared with third parties, and can be deleted on request.

Who it's for

This is a sensible choice for Brother printer or all-in-one owners who need occasional phone printing, mobile scanning, or repeatable desktop scan settings without paying for a separate app. It is less suitable for buyers who need model-independent mobile support or cannot put the mobile device and printer on the same Wi-Fi network. Brother points users to its Mobile Print/Scan Guide and customer service for help.

Pros and cons

Pros: Free use combines mobile print and scan functions with detailed Windows and macOS scan controls, plus saved Workflows for recurring jobs.
Pros: Mobile scans can go to a device, cloud storage, email, or another app, with destinations varying by platform.
Cons: Mobile printing and scanning depend on model support and a shared Wi-Fi network, limiting usefulness in mixed-device or incompatible setups.
Cons: Advanced mobile tools such as fax and copy previews are confined to supported newer models, so the feature set is not consistent across the range.

Alternatives

For a broader scanner-software shortlist, see Scanner Software or Photo Scanning Software.

PaperScan is worth considering for Windows users who want a freemium scanner tool with a 10-page batch limit in its Free Edition and unlimited batch TWAIN/WIA scanning in the 79.00 USD per once Home Edition.
Dynamic Web TWAIN suits developers seeking a paid scanning SDK across web, desktop, and Linux platforms, with tailored pricing and unlimited scans.
Epson Scan 2 is another free option for Epson scanner or multifunction printer owners, with features dependent on the scanner.
VueScan is a paid alternative for users seeking scanner software with flatbed scanning, document feeders, and formats including JPG, PDF, OCR, and TIFF.
ExactScan is a paid option for users comparing license-based scanner software on Linux, macOS, or Windows.
XSane is a free choice for Linux or Windows users with a SANE-compatible scanner.
NAPS2 suits users who want free scanning software for Linux, macOS, or Windows without ads or restrictions.
GNOME Document Scanner is a free Linux desktop option.

Verdict

Choose Brother iPrint&Scan if you own a supported Brother machine and want a no-cost way to handle mobile print and scan jobs alongside reusable desktop scan setups. Its combination of mobile destinations and fine-grained desktop controls is compelling for that audience. Look elsewhere if you need mobile functions independent of a particular printer model or a workflow that does not rely on shared Wi-Fi.

	Brother iPrint&Scan	XSane
Free plan	Yes
Paid from	Free
Platforms	Android, iOS, macOS, Windows	Linux, Windows
Free plan	Yes
Supported platforms	Windows, macOS, iOS, Android	Linux, Unix, OS/2, Windows
OCR included	Yes
ADF support	Yes	Yes
Output formats	PDF, JPEG	PDF, PNM, PostScript, PNG, JPEG, TIFF
Cloud destinations	Yes

Brother iPrint&Scan vs XSane

Brother iPrint&Scan

XSane