On client machines a "net" back end (driver) connects to the remote host to fetch the scanner options, and perform previews and scans.

Various types of unsupervised batch scanning are also possible with a minimum of support needed in the back end (driver).

Many scanners support the attachment of document feeders which allow a large number of sheets of paper to be automatically scanned in succession.

gscan2pdf is an interface for scanning documents to PDF on the GNOME desktop that uses SANE to communicate with the scanner.

[7] Simple Scan is a simplified GUI using SANE that is intended to be easier to use and better integrate into the GNOME desktop than XSane.

[15] Skanlite is based on libksane, an interface provided by KDE for SANE libraries to control flatbed scanners.

[17] SwingSane is a cross-platform, Java front end for SANE, written and maintained by Roland Quast.

Only the "complete" sane-back-ends versions will possibly work with some scanner models connected locally.