Brother DS-640 vs Epson WorkForce ES-50: Which Is Better? (October 2026)

On this page (8 sections)

1. Brother DS-640 vs Epson ES-50: which fits your routine?
2. Which scanner is faster for paperwork?
3. What software and computer support should you check?
4. Do you need duplex scanning or an automatic feeder?
5. Are either of these portable scanners right for photos?
6. How to choose between the DS-640 and ES-50
7. Which scanner should you pick?
8. Related scanner guides

Choose the Epson ES-50 for lighter carry weight and quick single-page scans, or the Brother DS-640 for its stated 16 ppm speed and Linux support. In this Brother DS-640 vs Epson WorkForce ES-50 comparison, your computer, travel habits and page volume help settle the choice.

The ES-50 weighs 9.44 ounces and scans a single page in as quickly as 5.5 seconds. The DS-640 weighs about 1.5 pounds and scans color and black-and-white documents at up to 16 pages per minute, according to Brother.

Both are USB-powered, single-sheet portable scanners. If you need a feeder for a batch of pages or two-sided scanning, the Canon imageFORMULA R10 is a different kind of option.

Brother DS-640 vs Epson ES-50: which fits your routine?

Pick the ES-50 when low carry weight matters most; pick the DS-640 when broader computer compatibility and a stated pages-per-minute rate matter more. Both scan one sheet at a time, so neither is built for hands-free batch feeding.

The ES-50 is under 10 ounces. Epson describes it as a portable scanner for on-the-go use, and it connects to a computer over USB without batteries or an external power supply.

Brother describes the DS-640 as under a foot long and about 1.5 pounds. It also runs from an included micro USB cable connected to a PC or laptop.

Brother DS-640 vs Epson WorkForce ES-50 for travel

The ES-50 is the lighter carry choice. Its 9.44-ounce weight is substantially less than the DS-640's roughly 1.5 pounds.

Think about the other items in your bag and how often you'll move the scanner. Both are compact and USB-powered, but cable access and a place to feed each sheet still matter at a temporary desk.

If you travel with Linux hardware, the DS-640 has the clearer compatibility fit. Brother lists support for Windows, Mac and Linux, while Epson describes ES-50 compatibility with Windows and Mac.

Which scanner is faster for paperwork?

The ES-50 has a stated single-page time, while the DS-640 has a stated pages-per-minute rate. The measurements aren't presented in the same format, so compare them with the kind of work you actually do.

Epson says an ES-50 page can take as quickly as 5.5 seconds. That may appeal if you scan individual forms or receipts and want to know the expected time for one page.

Brother rates the DS-640 at up to 16 ppm for both color and black-and-white documents. The rate is useful context for repeated pages, though you'll still feed each sheet yourself.

Brother DS-640 vs Epson ES-50 for receipts and cards

Both can handle receipts and ID cards. Epson also mentions documents up to 8.5 x 72 inches, while Brother describes support for a range of documents including plastic ID cards and receipts.

For mixed paperwork, consider whether you need OCR, file organization or image cleanup. Brother includes tools for color adjustment, background removal and text enhancement, plus OCR software.

Epson ScanSmart lets you review and save scans, and included Nuance OCR can create searchable PDFs and editable Word and Excel files. Its automatic feeding mode combines successive sheets into one file, but you insert the sheets one by one.

What software and computer support should you check?

Choose by the operating system and file tools you need. The DS-640 lists Windows, Mac and Linux support; the ES-50 lists Windows and Mac compatibility.

Brother's iPrint&Scan desktop app supports scanning to destinations such as a PC, network, cloud service or email. The included software also supports OCR and several image adjustments.

Epson ScanSmart supports reviewing and saving files, with cloud scanning available through the included software. Epson also includes a TWAIN driver for use with imaging software.

Check whether your workplace requires a particular scan destination or searchable file type. If you're choosing a scanner for a desk setup, our guide on how to choose a document scanner walks through the questions that shape a better fit.

Do you need duplex scanning or an automatic feeder?

Choose a different model if you want to scan both sides at once or load a stack into a feeder. The DS-640 and ES-50 are portable, single-sheet scanners.

For occasional forms, feeding pages individually may be manageable. For recurring two-sided paperwork, it can add extra steps and time.

The Canon imageFORMULA R10 offers duplex scanning and a 20-sheet automatic feeder, with speeds up to 12 ppm. It is a more suitable alternative when reducing manual page handling matters more than minimizing carry weight.

Our guide to what a duplex scanner does explains when two-sided capture can save effort. For a compact desk scanner, see the ScanSnap iX1300 review.

Are either of these portable scanners right for photos?

Choose a scanner made for photos if your main goal is digitizing prints. The DS-640 and ES-50 are document scanners, and the Canon R10 is not intended for photographic media.

A document scanner can suit family records, receipts and forms. Photo prints need more careful handling and attention to image quality, resolution and file storage.

Start with our home scanner guide to compare scanner types. If you already have prints ready, our guide on scanning old photos to a computer covers a practical workflow.

How to choose between the DS-640 and ES-50

Choose the ES-50 if you want the lightest scanner and a simple per-page speed reference; choose the DS-640 if you want Linux support and Brother's stated 16 ppm rate. Both are USB-powered, portable and designed for single-sheet scanning.

Pick by your computer first, then think about how often you carry the scanner and how many sheets you process in one sitting. If two-sided batches are routine, the Canon R10's feeder and duplex function may save more effort.

For occasional forms on a trip, the ES-50's lower weight is a clear advantage. For broader operating-system support, the DS-640 is the better match.

Which scanner should you pick?

Pick the Epson ES-50 for light travel and the Brother DS-640 for Linux support or its stated 16 ppm rate. If you need to feed a stack or scan both sides at once, consider the Canon R10 instead.

Compare your usual pages, computer and carry setup before choosing. For a broader look at compact paper models, read our Brother DS-640 review.

Related scanner guides

• Brother DS-640 review
• ScanSnap iX1300 review
• How to choose a document scanner
• What is a duplex scanner?

Frequently asked questions

Which is faster, the Brother DS-640 or Epson ES-50?

The Brother DS-640 is rated for up to 16 pages per minute, while Epson says the ES-50 scans a single page in as quickly as 5.5 seconds. The figures use different formats, so they don't guarantee a direct speed winner for every job.

Page size, settings and how you feed sheets affect your routine.

Can the Epson ES-50 scan multiple pages?

Yes. The ES-50 takes one sheet at a time, and its automatic feeding mode combines successive pages into one file as you insert them.

That can suit a short stack when you can feed each page yourself.

For less manual feeding, consider a scanner with an automatic document feeder.

Does the Brother DS-640 work with Linux?

Yes. Brother lists Windows, Mac and Linux support for the DS-640, along with SANE drivers.

The ES-50 is described as compatible with Windows and Mac.

Check software and driver requirements for your computer before choosing either scanner.

Can either scanner scan both sides of a page at once?

Neither the DS-640 nor ES-50 is described as a duplex scanner. Both are single-sheet portable models.

If you regularly scan two-sided pages, the Canon imageFORMULA R10 offers duplex scanning and a 20-sheet automatic feeder.

Are these scanners suitable for old photographs?

These models are designed for documents, receipts and cards rather than photo archiving. The Canon R10 is specifically not intended for photographic media.

For family prints, start with a home scanner guide that covers scanner types suited to photos.