SilverFast vs VueScan
SilverFast
silverfast.comVueScan
vuescan.comSide by side
| Figure | SilverFast | VueScan |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | £2.12/mo |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 3 | 6 |
| Spec score · Scanner Software | 8.4 (#6) | 7.5 (#18) |
| Spec score · Photo Scanning Software | 8.4 (#8) | 7.4 (#25) |
| Founded | 1986 | 1998 |
| Scanning features | Scanner software features include WorkflowPilot, color management, scanner-specific color profiles, dust and scratch removal, NegaFix, and automatic and manual optimization tools. | Features include auto-crop, OCR, multi-page PDFs, automatic deskewing, and blank-page removal. |
| Support | SilverFast provides a Help Center, FAQs, video tutorials, manuals, and a support tool. | VueScan provides a support site with FAQs and how-to guides, and the maker invites users to contact support for help. |
| Trial | The maker offers demo software so users can check system compatibility and explore SilverFast features before buying. | The trial can be used for as long as desired, but scans carry a watermark that cannot later be removed. |
Plans
SilverFast
- SilverFast SE$49, paid once
- SilverFast SE Plus$99, paid once
- SilverFast Ai StudioPrice not published
VueScan
- Standard Edition (monthly)£6.75 a month
- Professional Edition (monthly)£13.55 a month
- Standard Edition (annual)£25.45 a year
- Professional Edition (annual)£59.45 a year
- Standard Edition One Time Purchase£67.45, paid once
- Professional Edition One Time Purchase£157.45, paid once
In their own words
SilverFast
SilverFast is scanner and digital imaging software for digitizing photos, slides, negatives, and Kodachromes. Its scanner software is individually adjusted for about 340 scanner models. WorkflowPilot guides image-processing tasks, while color management, scanner-specific profiles, NegaFix, automatic and manual optimization, and dust and scratch removal provide tools for scan work. Some functions, including infrared dust removal and Multi-Exposure, depend on scanner hardware. Ai Studio includes automatic IT8 color calibration. The Archive Suite can save scans as RAW files, which may preserve an infrared channel for later dust and scratch removal. SilverFast HDR works with scanned and other digital images; HDR Studio adds color restoration, exposure compensation, sharpening, and related controls for 64-bit/48-bit image data. JobManager handles scan sequences and batch optimization. The software runs on Windows and macOS as a standalone application or Photoshop plug-in; iOS is also listed. SilverFast SE costs $49, paid once, SE Plus $99, paid once, and Ai Studio $249,349, paid once. A free trial is available.
VueScan
VueScan is scanning software for documents, photos, film, and slides that replaces scanner software. It runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux and says it supports over 8,000 scanners from 42 manufacturers. Document tools include auto-crop, OCR, multi-page PDFs, automatic deskewing, and blank-page removal. Film and slide tools include infrared dust and scratch removal, faded-color restoration, multi-exposure scanning, and IT8 calibration. It also offers AI colorization, super-resolution, and on-device touch-up for dust, scratches, and unwanted objects. Monthly, annual, and one-time licenses are available. Monthly Standard costs £6.75 a month and Professional costs £13.55 a month; annual prices are £25.45 a year and £59.45 a year, respectively. One-time Standard costs £67.45, paid once and Professional costs £157.45, paid once. One-time purchases can be used indefinitely and include one year of free updates. The trial has no stated time limit, but its scans have a watermark that cannot later be removed. Personal licenses cover up to four personally owned computers; non-personal use requires a license for each computer.