Simple Scan VS MakeACopy

• User-Friendly Interface
  Simple Scan boasts a clean and intuitive interface that is easy for users of all skill levels to navigate.
• Lightweight
  The application is lightweight and doesn't consume significant system resources, making it ideal for older machines and systems with low specifications.
• Integration
  It integrates seamlessly with GNOME desktop environments, providing a consistent user experience for those using GNOME-based systems.
• Quick Scanning
  Simple Scan allows for quick scanning of documents and images, providing basic functionalities needed for everyday scanning tasks.
• Open-Source
  As an open-source project, Simple Scan is free to use and can be modified by anyone, promoting transparency and community-driven development.

Possible disadvantages

• Limited Features
  It lacks advanced features such as OCR (Optical Character Recognition) and extensive image editing capabilities found in more comprehensive scanning software.
• GNOME Dependency
  While it works best in GNOME environments, users on other desktop environments might experience less seamless integration.
• Manual Updates
  Users need to manually check for updates or rely on their distribution's package manager, as there is no built-in automatic update feature.
• Basic Configuration Options
  It offers limited configuration options for power users who require more control over scanning settings and output formats.
• Scanner Compatibility
  While it supports many scanners, some less common or newer scanner models may not be fully compatible without additional driver installations.

• Simple and focused utility
  MakeACopy is a straightforward Java-based tool designed for a single clear purpose: creating backup copies of files. Its simplicity makes it easy to understand and use without a steep learning curve.
• Open source
  The project is open source and hosted on GitHub, allowing users to inspect the code, contribute improvements, and use it freely without licensing costs.
• Java-based portability
  Being written in Java, MakeACopy can run on any platform that supports the JVM (Windows, macOS, Linux), providing cross-platform compatibility without needing platform-specific builds.
• Lightweight
  The tool is lightweight and minimal, without heavy dependencies or bloated features. It does what it needs to do without unnecessary overhead.
• Checksum verification support
  The tool supports checksum/hash verification to ensure file integrity when making copies, which adds a layer of reliability and data safety to the copy process.

Possible disadvantages

• Limited community and support
  The project has a very small community with minimal stars, forks, and contributors on GitHub, meaning users may struggle to find help or community-driven improvements.
• Sparse documentation
  The project has limited documentation, which can make it difficult for new users to understand all available features, configuration options, and how to integrate it into their workflows.
• Limited features compared to alternatives
  Compared to well-established backup and file copy tools (such as rsync, robocopy, or rclone), MakeACopy offers a much narrower set of features and capabilities.
• Minimal active development
  The repository does not appear to have frequent updates or active ongoing development, which raises concerns about long-term maintenance, bug fixes, and compatibility with newer Java versions.
• No GUI interface
  The tool appears to be command-line only, which may not appeal to users who prefer graphical interfaces for managing file backup operations.

To Scan Or Not To Scan..Simple Scan

More videos

No MakeACopy videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

• UPDATE: After reading 600+ of your comments, here is the updated list of open source Linux programs mostly for beginners (thus mostly gui).

  I really like https://launchpad.net/simple-scan. Source: over 4 years ago

Tracking MakeACopy since May 2026.