Compare Scanmarker Max, Pro, and PAL

Max ($299) is a standalone reading pen — its own touchscreen and speaker, no phone or computer needed — with the full feature set: phonics, exam-lock mode, and 30 offline languages. Pro ($249) pairs with a phone, tablet, or computer over Bluetooth or USB for a lighter, screen-free pen with 89+ translation pairs. PAL ($179) is a simpler standalone pen built for first-time and early readers, with phonics support but no translation or exam-lock mode.

Yes. Max is completely standalone — it has its own touchscreen, speaker, and processor, and reads aloud offline in 30 languages with zero internet or phone connection required.

PAL. It is the simplest standalone pen in the lineup — instant setup, a built-in phonics module, and no phone or app required — designed specifically for early and struggling readers in grades K-5.

Max is the only model with exam-lock mode, which disables internet features for standardized testing while keeping offline text-to-speech and phonics support active — the combination most commonly approved for IEP and 504 reading accommodations.

Pro is $50 less than Max. In exchange, it requires a Bluetooth- or USB-connected phone, tablet, or computer to display text and play audio, and it does not include a phonics module or exam-lock mode. It does support more translation pairs when connected than Max’s offline dictionary count for some languages, since Pro leans on the connected device for processing.

Scanmarker Max ($299) offers a standalone touchscreen with 30 offline languages, integrated phonics decoding, and exam-lock mode, compared to C-Pen Reader 2 ($399) which features built-in Collins/Oxford dictionaries but lacks a touchscreen. Scanmarker PAL ($179) provides a more affordable entry point for K-5 phonics than C-Pen, while C-Pen Exam Reader 2 ($399) and Scanmarker Max both provide exam-locked text-to-speech for testing accommodations.