# iAnnotate 4 — PDFs & more — user reviews > 365 indexed App Store user reviews of iAnnotate 4 by Branchfire, Inc., rated 4.70/5 from 8,879 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/iannotate-4-pdfs-and-more/id1093924230/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/iannotate-4-pdfs-and-more/id1093924230.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 7,126 · 4★ 1,384 · 3★ 220 · 2★ 47 · 1★ 102 ## What do users think of iAnnotate 4? Overall sentiment: neutral **Pros** - 🚀 Great for annotations - 🚀 Excellent for academic/professional use - 🚀 Seamless Dropbox integration - 👍 Customizable toolbars - 👍 Easy to use - 👍 Reliable and stable **Cons** - 🐛 Crashes and freezes - 🐛 Inconsistent file management and syncing - 🐛 Unreliable offline functionality - 🐛 Clunky interface and navigation - 🐛 Issues with Apple Pencil support - 🐛 Memory management problems **Commonly reported bugs** - Disappearing annotations - Inability to open/save files offline - Blurry text rendering after OCR - Inconsistent page numbering - Unreliable Dropbox/cloud syncing **Most requested features** - Ability to copy/paste annotations - Eraser tool improvements - Customizable keyboard shortcuts - Dark mode option - Improved search functionality - Batch processing of annotations ## Newest reviews (14 of 365) ### 4/5 — Very useful *2026-05-19, version 4.10.6* The app is really good. The only small point I have is that the tool bar at the side obscures part of the document when it is active. I use it to review pdf slide decks so this often hides the slide number which makes it more difficult to write up the review afterwards. ### 3/5 — Loading Files to slow or not possible *2026-05-16* I actually love this app and I use it a lot. However, it happens so often that when you need to source and open a file from iCloud the app just doesn’t show any of the file / folder structure and needs way too long if at all to open the document **Developer response:** Thanks so much for the feedback! We understand how frustrating the iCloud file picker experience can be when folders don’t load properly or documents take too long to open. Your feedback is genuinely helpful because it helps us prioritize where we can improve the app. We’ll investigate the iCloud issue further, and if you’re open to it, feel free to reach out to help@folia.com so our support team can gather more details and keep you updated. Thanks again for taking the time to share this with us. ### 2/5 — Lento *2026-03-10* Demora demais pra carregar e conectar com drives virtuais **Developer response:** Olá! Obrigado por nos informar sobre o seu problema. Por favor, entre em contato pelo e-mail help@folia.com; nossa equipe de suporte terá prazer em obter mais informações e prestar assistência adicional. Você não deveria estar enfrentando longos tempos de carregamento em sua conexão com a nuvem. ### 3/5 — Buggy Today *2025-11-13, version 4.9.12* The app is generally awesome, but the conversion from docx to pdf keeps failing today. I use the app to grade, and delays add up. Please fix this. ### 2/5 — Could be better *2025-07-12, version 4.8.23* Pinch to zoom zooms to middle of the page and not where you pinched. Can edit in place in files.app. Markup tools seem good ### 3/5 — Save back troubles *2025-05-31, version 4.8.23* Having trouble on new iPad. ### 3/5 — Still no updates *2025-05-05, version 4.8.23* This was a terrific app when I bought it in 2010. It’s still an amazing tool for marking up PDFs and I do all my grading on it. But I am redoing my review because the makers have not made updates for quite some time, much needed features that are now feasible with all the innovations that have come to the iPad and iOS. First off, I’ve been requesting this for years: the ability to flatten multiple documents at once. When I grade 30 papers, the inability to check all the boxes of documents I wanted flattened and then hit flatten adds a great deal of time to my work. There is still a lack of continuity across devices (or worse, when purchasing a new iPad) that will allow the toolbars I created on one device to carry over to another. It’s a major headache. The last major update we got was integration with the Apple Pencil, which is wonderful, but the pencil can do more now and the app makers have not taken advantage of this. It would also be nice to have two instances of the app (not just two documents at once) open at once to take advantage of using an external display for an extended desktop. Better use of iPad OS’s file system would be great too. It takes me too many clicks to move around between subfolders and between OneDrive, DropBox, etc. It’s quite possible better apps now exist, taking advantage of technological change, but I would much rather stick with iAnnotate since it has served me well for almost 15 years. ### 2/5 — Sorta works *2025-04-20, version 4.8.21* Nominally iAnnotate does what it says but it requires all the docs to be in its own folder plus edits made in iannotate don’t seem to be visible when you load a PDF outside of the app. So yeah, if all you want to do is work with PDFs only in iAnnotate only in its own folder it works. If you want to do actual work with files across platforms and maintain your file organization you’re screwed. This makes the app virtually worthless. ### 3/5 — The convenient way of pdf *2025-03-27* The app has many useful functions and works well with PDFs. The logic behind the tools is clear and practical. However, the design is not very user-friendly. The interface feels outdated and could be confusing for normal users. Also, Apple Pencil support is missing. It would be much better if the app used the native Apple Pencil tools and iPadOS gestures. That would make it easier and more comfortable to use on an iPad. Overall, the app is powerful but needs a better interface and proper Apple Pencil integration. **Developer response:** We appreciate your honest feedback on the interface and Apple Pencil support. User experience is a priority for us. We would love to hear more about your suggestions for integrating native Apple Pencil features and iPadOS gestures. Please reach out to help@folia.com so our team can learn more about the features you prefer to see. Thank you! ### 5/5 — Great App *2025-03-17, version 4.8.21* I’ve been using iAnnotate for years and it is one of my “mission critical” apps. A recent bug that caused the app to crash has been squashed so my rating has been changed back to 5 stars! ### 3/5 — Needs work on custom stamps! *2025-03-11, version 4.8.21* Saving custom stamps is very frustrating! Sometimes it doesn’t save at all, sometimes it uses a previous image, sometimes it uses a previous name. Needs to have a real edit page for stamps. Needs a way to export, edit, and import stamps. I would give the app a better star rating but for this frustration. ### 3/5 — Don’t like how it autopopulates the email subject line now *2025-03-04, version 4.8.21* All of a sudden it’s putting its own subject line on emails sent from the app, and when I went into my settings to try to turn that off, I only had the option to create my own default subject line. When I did that, the app still uses its own. I use the app for work purposes, and it’s an annoying expenditure of my time to have to delete the app’s subject line before I can type in my own. Please remove this feature or at least make it optional. Thank you. ### 3/5 — Crashes *2025-02-25, version 4.8.20* It’s a good app when it doesn’t crash ### 4/5 — Google Drive不具合 *2025-02-17* Google Driveとの接続がブロックされるようになった。また、検索で漢字への変換ができなくなりました。10年以上使っていて他へ乗り換えるのはもう無理です。何とか直して下さい。 **Developer response:** Thank you for bringing this to our attention. We’re aware of the issue with Google Drive and are actively working on a resolution. Additionally, we’ll investigate the language conversion issue to ensure it functions as expected. We appreciate your feedback and support! ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — INCONSISTENT AND CRASHES *2026-03-24, version 4.9.29* I really wanted to like this app because the workflow is actually great when it works. Highlighting feels smooth and it’s easy to stay in a rhythm when prepping large documents. But I’ve now run into the same issue multiple times and it’s a dealbreaker. Everything looks consistent while I’m working in the app, but when I export to PDF, the highlight colors change in intensity. Some sections come out darker or lighter even though I used the exact same color. It ends up looking inconsistent and unprofessional, and there’s no way to catch it until after export. On top of that, the app crashes when working on larger files, which makes the whole thing even more unreliable. I use this for professional work where consistency matters, and I can’t risk something like this happening again. I didn’t have this issue with other apps, so it’s really disappointing. If this gets fixed, I’d absolutely consider coming back to it. But right now, I can’t trust it ### 1/5 — Fix the Conversion Bug! *2026-02-21, version 4.9.29* Your app refuses to convert Docs from Canvas. It just sits and refuses to accept the file. It will convert them from Google Drive, but I should not have to download papers into another app just so that your software will finally do its job. I have reported the conversion bug problems for .docx files before, and your team gave a less than useful answer. Please actually fix the issue this time. I have used your app to grade for over a decade now, and I would rather use it than Speedgrader or other tools, but this problem cannot persist. If it does, I’ll have to go elsewhere. My students deserve better than consistently buggy software. ### 1/5 — 4.9.15 unstable *2025-11-26, version 4.9.15* It crashes all the time since the update. ipadOS 26.1. Every time I reopen the app, all tabs are gone. I will try reinstalling a fresh copy. I have been a happy user for 15 years. A reinstall was ineffective. ### 1/5 — Google drive support fixed! *2025-08-30, version 4.8.23* I use this almost EVERY day for my clinic, and my post-graduate work.. Google drive no longer syncing!! Please fix this issue!! Will remove review once fixed! Please help!! It’s been several months with no response or support. ### 1/5 — frustrating error in recent update *2025-05-05, version 4.8.23* As of the most recent update, you are required to hide the tool box every time you want to close a tool, because the tool box task bar now lies on top of (instead of underneath) the task bar for the individual tool, and the button to close the tool is unavailable without completely closing the task bar for the tool box. This will add thousands of unnecessary tool box closing/opening actions to my workweek. PLEASE return the previous taskbar order ASAP, or this app is verging on unusable for me. ### 1/5 — Just terrible *2025-02-22, version 4.8.20* I’ve been using this app for some years and have suffered its terrible reliability across a range of new apple devices. Now the page preview crashes the app and I have to find something more reliable. I’ve been patient but now I’m through with this app. ### 1/5 — Useless *2024-09-24, version 4.8.16* Will not connect to Google Drive due to being insecure. Ten quid to discover this basic lack of functionality is quite irritating. A refund should be offered. ### 1/5 — No good *2024-08-21, version 4.8.15* Totally counterintuitive and very poor help. Gave up after an hour and went back to my tried and true apps. It’s an hour I’ll never get back. ### 1/5 — No longer allowing annotations *2024-08-08, version 4.8.15* I have used this app a lot in the past and it has been very useful for keeping track of bill payments by adding annotations to them once they are paid. Of late, the ability to add annotations has stopped. ### 1/5 — Used to be great *2024-06-04, version 4.8.14* This was one of the first apps I got for my iPad. Used it so much when I was doing my PhD and loved it. Unfortunately it has become glitchy and it freezes every other minute, which is strange. Since there are so many PDF apps out there I am going to move on because I just don’t want to waste more time on this freezing issue. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Perfect in every way *2025-11-26, version 4.9.15* I've used iAnnotate for my business proofreading for court reporters for over 10 years. From the ability to custom create stamps for mark-up to ease of use to fast, responsive support, this app is perfect in every way. Love it, love it, love it. ### 5/5 — Love this app for grading papers *2025-10-19, version 4.8.23* I’ve tried every PDF app out there and I keep coming back to iAnnotate for grading papers. It is by far the best and most flexible app. The iPad is a perfect tool for providing feedback on student writing and iAnnotate is the best app for the job. ### 5/5 — Updates RUINED the app! *2025-10-14, version 4.8.23* Updates have removed functionality and made this app unusable. Presumably so we have to buy an upgrade. Great job devs! ### 5/5 — Does everything I need *2025-09-18, version 4.8.23* I’ve been using this app for years. It really does everything I need it to do. Great annotation. Easy to navigate. Worth the purchase. ### 5/5 — Long time user recently returned *2025-09-12, version 4.8.23* Ive had iAnnotate for school 10+ years ago,was a tech gamechager then for ability to not on text book pdfs, let the app go with these years working. Now in change again and need to change dates or update info this edit document app is the one for me. Im 90% apple environment and this app just like everything apple it just works. While sending out docx for my friends with the other computers... ### 5/5 — Look back *2025-08-24, version 4.8.23* I have been using this software for years across multiple devices, with all sorts of documents. When I need to get work done, form submitted, notes taken, the software does it. And, it does it with ease! ### 5/5 — Great for online forms & notting books *2025-07-03, version 4.8.23* I’ve used iA for several years. I like that there are separate toolbars you can toggle between. (I use different toolbars for different projects. ie: Paperwork includes text boxes, stamps for signatures, highlighters & basic pens. Notating Books includes different highlighters & pens, eraser and images, and bookmarks. File organizing includes +/- pages, bookmarks, images, etc.). There are some annoying quirks that I can overlook, evident as I have still selected 5 stars. ### 5/5 — very good application *2025-06-29* this pdf application is wonderful **Developer response:** Thank you! Happy to hear you enjoy the app. ### 5/5 — For years, a favorite *2025-06-15, version 4.8.23* I’ve been using this as a professor for years, and it has gotten me through two books and countless articles. When I’ve had tech troubles, I’ve always gotten quick responses. I appreciate that they haven’t complicated it endlessly in the name of small improvements. One of the best purchases I’ve made. ### 5/5 — Excelente *2025-03-29* O app está excelente e me ajuda muito no dia a dia com artigos, livros e anotações. Tenho acesso a todos os docs em meus aparelhos! Parabéns! **Developer response:** Obrigado pela sua avaliação e feedback! Adoramos saber como tornou a sua vida quotidiana mais produtiva! --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-01.*