AI camera scanning
On-device object detection finds bottles and cans in one frame and shows every box with its confidence.
Pfand scanner for iPhone
Know your Pfand before you reach the machine.
Point your camera at bottles, cans and crates. PfandLens counts them and estimates the deposit — right on your iPhone, without an account and without uploading a single image.
- Processed on your iPhone
- Works offline
- No account
7 × Einweg · 1 × Can
≈ €2.00
Processed on your iPhone
Everything your empties need. Nothing they don't.
A focused tool for one job: knowing what your bottles, cans and crates are worth.
Smart Pfand counting
Einweg €0.25, Mehrweg €0.15, beer €0.08 — counted in euro cents, every number editable.
€0.25 Einweg€0.15 Mehrweg€0.08 Beer€1.50 Crate
Supermarket geofence
Optional reminder when you arrive at a return point you saved. Off by default.
Offline vault
Scans and statistics live only on your iPhone. No server, no cloud, no sign-up.
Processed on your iPhone
Widget stats
Today, this week and total on your Home Screen — switch the period right in the widget.
Scan history
Every scan with date, items, crates and status. Edit, mark as returned or delete.
12:37€4.07
11:12€3.85
Privacy first
Camera frames are analysed in memory and discarded. No analytics or ad SDKs.
Vision · Core ML
Lifetime access
3 scans free. Then one purchase unlocks unlimited scanning — for good.
€9.99
Three steps from empties to euro
1
Point
Hold your iPhone over your empties — loose bottles, cans or a full crate.
2
Check
See boxes, counts and confidence. Confirm crates, correct anything with + and −.
3
Save
Your estimate lands in history, statistics and the widget. Done.
AI camera scanning
Honest recognition, not magic.
PfandLens runs a Core ML object detector together with Apple Vision barcode and text recognition on your iPhone. Every item is marked as detected, probable or unknown — and you always have the last word.
DetectedFound with supporting evidence, such as a readable deposit label.
ProbableFound, deposit type assumed from your default — easy to change.
UnknownNot identified with confidence. Not counted until you classify it.
Crate detection uncertain? PfandLens asks you to confirm — and never counts the bottles inside a crate twice.
Offline vault
Your data stays on your iPhone.
Scanning, counting, history, statistics and the widget all work in airplane mode. Only the App Store purchase needs a connection.
- No account, no server, no cloud database
- Optional scan locations encrypted on the device (CryptoKit)
- Free-scan counter stored in the iOS Keychain
Supermarket geofence
A nudge when it's worth it.
Save the supermarket, beverage store or deposit machine where you return your empties. When you arrive with open Pfand, PfandLens can remind you — using iOS region monitoring, not continuous tracking.
- Location is off by default and never needed for scanning
- Up to 20 saved places
- Find nearby shops via Apple Maps when you choose to
Shops with more than 200 m² sales area must take back single-use bottles and cans of the materials they sell. Reusable bottles are usually accepted, but not everywhere.
Widget stats
Your Pfand at a glance.
Small, medium and large widgets show today, this week, total and open Pfand. Tap the period to switch, or start a scan straight from the Home Screen.
StatisticsToday, 7 days, 30 days, lifetime.
Total Pfand, containers, crates, number of scans and averages per scan — calculated on your iPhone from your own scans.
Privacy
Processed on your iPhone. Explained in plain words.
Camera
Frames are analysed in memory with Vision and Core ML, then discarded. No photo is saved or uploaded.
Storage
Scans and settings are stored only on this iPhone. Delete one scan or everything at any time.
Location
Optional. Shop search sends an approximate location to Apple Maps only when you use it.
Purchases
Handled by Apple through the App Store. PfandLens never sees your payment details.
Simple, fair, once.
No subscription. No ads. No countdowns.
Try
3 scans free
- Full scanner with crate counting
- History, statistics and widget
- No account needed
Lifetime
€9.99
One-time purchase
- Unlimited scans
- Offline scanning
- Smart counting
- History
- Statistics
- Home Screen widget
- Future updates of version 1 included
The App Store shows the price in your local currency. Payment is charged to your Apple Account only when you confirm the purchase.
Frequently asked questions
How accurate is PfandLens?
PfandLens recognises bottles and cans it can see clearly and marks every item as detected, probable or unknown. The result is an estimate: you can correct every count before saving, and the amount paid out by a machine may differ.
Does it work without internet?
Yes. Scanning, counting, history, statistics and the widget work completely offline. Only buying or restoring the Lifetime unlock needs a connection.
Are my photos uploaded?
No. Camera frames are analysed in memory on your iPhone and then discarded. PfandLens does not save or upload images.
Which deposit amounts are used?
Defaults: €0.25 for single-use (Einweg) bottles and cans, €0.15 for reusable (Mehrweg) bottles, €0.08 for reusable beer bottles and €1.50 per crate. Crate deposits vary by brand, so every amount can be changed in Settings.
How are crates counted?
A crate is counted with its deposit and the bottles it contains (e.g. 20 beer bottles). Bottles inside a detected crate are never counted again as loose items. If the crate detection is uncertain, PfandLens asks you to confirm.
How does returning empties work in Germany?
Most supermarkets have a reverse vending machine. It prints a deposit receipt (Pfandbon) that you redeem at the checkout of the same shop. PfandLens helps you know the amount in advance.
What happens after the 3 free scans?
The next scan opens the Lifetime offer. Nothing is charged automatically — you decide. History, statistics and the widget stay available.
Is PfandLens affiliated with a supermarket or the DPG?
No. PfandLens is an independent app and is not affiliated with any retailer, beverage brand or the Deutsche Pfandsystem GmbH.
Your empties are worth more than you think.
Scan your first bottles in under a minute.
Coming soon to the App Store
Requires iOS 17 or later · iPhone · Lifetime €9.99 · no subscription