Overview

Brother iPrint&Scan is a companion app for printing from and scanning to supported Brother machines, from mobile devices or computers. It suits owners who want everyday print and scan tasks without routing them through a computer. Its strongest case is cost-free access to core functions; its main constraint is that the machine and, for mobile use, the network must be compatible.

Key features

Mobile print and scan

On a supported machine, the app can print photos, documents and web pages from a phone or tablet. The Android FAQ also identifies Gmail and cloud services as print sources. Scans can go to the mobile device or cloud storage, be emailed, or open in another application, depending on platform. PDF and JPEG are supported output formats, with OCR and ADF support included.

The iOS listing names Dropbox, OneDrive and Evernote for printing from cloud services, and iCloud as a scan destination. This makes the app useful for moving common documents between a phone and a Brother machine, though the precise options depend on platform and model.

More than basic scanning on some models

Newer supported machines can add image editing, fax sending and preview, copy preview and machine status to the mobile app. These are useful extensions for owners whose machines support them, but they are not a reason to assume every Brother device offers the same mobile toolkit.

Desktop scan controls

Windows and macOS versions let users adjust scan size, color, resolution, brightness, contrast, file type, destination and target application. Common settings can be saved as Workflows, which helps people who repeatedly scan the same kind of document. Brother's support page gives minimum requirements of Windows 7 or later and macOS 10.10 or later.

Pricing

Free — free. This is a free application, not a paid tier with a trial period. It includes printing and scanning features for owners of a supported Brother machine, with available functions varying by model. There is no seat or scan quota stated for the plan; the practical limits are device compatibility and the same-network Wi-Fi requirement for mobile printing or scanning. It is a strong fit if you already own a compatible Brother machine, but it is not a standalone scanning solution for arbitrary hardware.

Platforms

Brother iPrint&Scan supports Windows, macOS, iOS and Android. Desktop users get detailed scan settings and saved Workflows; mobile users get wireless printing and scanning plus model-dependent tools. Mobile printing and scanning require the device to use Wi-Fi on the same network as the Brother machine, and not all Brother machines support those functions.

On iOS, contact access is needed for fax functions; location access is optional and requested for device discovery features such as Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth or NFC. Google Play's developer disclosure says data is encrypted in transit, no data is shared with third parties, and users can request deletion.

Who it's for

This is best for owners of supported Brother printers or all-in-ones who want to print, scan, or use available copy and fax features from a phone, tablet or computer. It is particularly useful for recurring desktop scans, where saved settings avoid rebuilding the same configuration. People with unsupported machines, or anyone who needs mobile access away from the machine's Wi-Fi network, should look elsewhere.

Pros and cons

Pros: Free use covers core printing and scanning, so compatible Brother owners do not need a separate paid app for those jobs.
Pros: Desktop scan controls and reusable Workflows offer more control than a simple one-tap scan flow.
Pros: Mobile scan destinations include device, cloud, email and other applications, with choices varying by platform.
Cons: Mobile functions are not supported by every Brother machine, making model compatibility a prerequisite rather than a minor caveat.
Cons: Mobile use requires the phone or tablet and machine to share a Wi-Fi network, limiting use away from that setup.
Cons: Copy, fax and status tools are restricted to supported newer models, so the app's breadth is uneven across the product range.

Alternatives

If you want a general scanner-software shortlist, browse Scanner Software or Photo Scanning Software.

PaperScan is a Windows alternative with a free edition limited to 10-page batch TWAIN/WIA scanning or import; its Home Edition costs 79.00 USD per once for unlimited batch work.
Scanbot Barcode Scanner SDK is a paid, cross-platform SDK with a custom annual license starting at 2500.00 USD per year for simple use cases, making it a different fit from a free companion app for a Brother machine.
Dynamic Web TWAIN is a paid scanning option for applications, with tailored quotes for unlimited computers and unlimited scans.
Epson Scan 2 is a free choice for owners of supported Epson scanners or multifunction printers who need scanner software for Linux, macOS or Windows.
GNOME Document Scanner is a free Linux desktop option for users who do not need Brother-specific mobile printing or scanning.
VueScan is a paid Linux, macOS and Windows alternative; its Standard monthly plan costs 6.75 GBP per month and includes flatbed scanning, JPG/PDF/OCR/TIFF, standard options, auto crop and document feeders.
XSane is a free option for Linux or Windows users with a SANE-compatible scanner.
ExactScan is a paid alternative with a 80.00 EUR per once ExactScan license and a 100.00 EUR per once ExactScan Pro license.

Verdict

Brother iPrint&Scan is an easy recommendation for owners of a supported Brother machine who want free printing and scanning across mobile and desktop, especially if they can make use of its configurable desktop scans. Choose it for that device-specific convenience; look elsewhere if your scanner is not supported or mobile work must happen beyond the shared Wi-Fi network.

	Brother iPrint&Scan	Skanpage
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Free trial		No
Paid from	Free	Free
Platforms	Android, iOS, macOS, Windows	Linux
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Supported platforms	Windows, macOS, iOS, Android	Linux
OCR included	Yes	Yes
ADF support	Yes	Yes
Output formats	PDF, JPEG	PDF
Cloud destinations	Yes

Brother iPrint&Scan vs Skanpage

Brother iPrint&Scan

Skanpage