Best pdf alternatives: apps like pdf-notes for iPhone

9+ similar apps compared and reviewed

4.5 avg rating
9 free apps
Updated November 2026

Whether you want more options like pdf or a completely different take on the same concept, our curated list of 9+ similar apps has you covered. Updated for 2026 with the latest ratings and comparisons.

KobCard

KobCard by KOB MARKETING

Gift Card Information Platform
4.1(392 ratings)
Free
KobCard screenshot 1
KobCard screenshot 2
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KobCard screenshot 4

KobCard is a comprehensive gift card information platform that offers real-time exchange rates, price calculations, and the latest news on gift cards. It serves as a one-stop destination for individuals looking to buy, sell, or stay informed about the world of gift cards.

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Top Alternatives to pdf

PDF Max - Edit, Sign PDFs#1

PDF Max - Edit, Sign PDFs by Mobeera

Scan, OCR, Research & Study
Editor's Choice
πŸ“Š Productivity
4.5😞(1.2K ratings)
FreeIn-App Purchases
PDF Max - Edit, Sign PDFs screenshot 1
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PDF Max - Edit, Sign PDFs screenshot 4
PDF Max - Edit, Sign PDFs screenshot 5
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This app offers a comprehensive suite of tools for editing, annotating, and organizing PDF documents. It allows users to extract key information, create study materials, and fill out forms. Advanced features include OCR scanning, voice notes, and PDF page management.

What We Love

  • πŸš€ Easy to use
  • πŸ‘ Helpful for studies and work
  • πŸš€ Fast and efficient
  • πŸ‘ Great for annotating PDFs

Room to Improve

  • πŸ› Crashes frequently
  • πŸ”’ Unreliable cloud sync
  • πŸ’° Paywall for basic features
  • πŸ› Buggy updates
  • πŸ‘Ž Poor customer support
BoardNotes: Notes, PDF, Docs#2

BoardNotes: Notes, PDF, Docs by Chongqing Ouluowa Technology Co., Ltd.

Note taking,Whiteboard,Mindmap
Strong Contender
πŸ“Š Productivity
4.7😐(116 ratings)
FreeAdsIn-App Purchases
BoardNotes: Notes, PDF, Docs screenshot 1
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This app combines note-taking, whiteboarding, PDF management, mind mapping, and flashcards into a single, versatile tool. It offers a rich set of handwriting and drawing features, supports various media types, and includes an intelligent flashcard system for efficient learning.

What We Love

  • πŸ’Ž All-in-one app
  • πŸ’‘ Feature-rich note-taking
  • ✍️ Excellent Apple Pencil integration
  • πŸ’° Affordable one-time purchase
  • πŸš€ Smooth performance
  • 🌟 User-friendly interface
  • 🧰 Versatile tools (pen, marker, highlighter)
  • πŸ“ˆ Good for research and study
  • πŸ“ Customizable templates
  • πŸ—‚οΈ Better organization for PDFs/planners
  • πŸ’‘ PDF preview is very useful
  • πŸ”— Two-way linking is a highlight
  • 🀩 Impressive functionality
  • πŸ‘ Handwriting notes are enjoyable
  • πŸ’― Best note-taking app

Room to Improve

  • πŸ”‹ High battery consumption
  • πŸ”₯ Device gets hot
  • πŸ› Data loss (whiteboards erased)
  • 🚫 No automatic backup
  • πŸ” Limited search functions
  • πŸ“š User manual lacks English version
  • πŸ› Sync issues between devices
  • πŸ› Chinese font display abnormal in markdown
  • πŸ› Accidental touches
  • πŸ› Pencil tip not showing on PDFs
  • πŸ› App crashes
  • πŸ› Recording lost
  • πŸ› Cannot create new notebooks
  • πŸ› Spelling mistakes in menus
  • πŸ› Gear icon disappears in dark mode
  • πŸ› Eraser logic issue
  • πŸ› Lasso tool no cut button
  • πŸ› Cannot rotate canvas
  • πŸ› Pen smoothness can be improved
  • πŸ› Handwriting search not available
  • πŸ› PDF embeds blurry
Greatnotes5 AI Notes, Lectures#3

Greatnotes5 AI Notes, Lectures by Kanza Ahmad

AI Lecture & Study Note Taker
Worth Considering
πŸ“Š Productivity
4.6(1.4K ratings)
FreeIn-App Purchases
Greatnotes5 AI Notes, Lectures screenshot 1
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This AI-powered app automatically transcribes lectures, meetings, and conversations into searchable notes, summaries, and action items. It helps users focus on learning or participating by handling note-taking and organizing information. Users can also chat with their recordings and utilize an AI writing assistant to refine their notes.

More apps like pdf

4
Highlights: PDF Reader & Notes
Highlights: PDF Reader & Notes
Highlights: PDF Reader & Notes
Edit Research Documents/Books
Free

This app is a fast and lightweight PDF reader designed for research. It allows users to read, highlight, and annotate documents, and then extract this information into organized notes. Advanced features include table data extraction, text recognition, and smart copying of annotations into various formats.

Read and browse PDF documentsHighlight, underline, and strikethrough textAdd comments and sticky notes
πŸ“Š Productivity
(1.6K)
freemium
5
abcNotes - Sticky Note Madness
abcNotes - Sticky Note Madness
abcNotes - Sticky Note Madness
Shopping and Grocery List App
Free

Create realistic, customizable sticky notes and to-do lists on your iOS device. Organize shopping lists, class notes, and projects with a variety of backgrounds and skins. Share and sync your notes across devices.

Realistic sticky note appearanceCustomizable skins and backgroundsVirtual desktops for organization
πŸ“Š Productivity
(3K)
freemium
6
Meeting Notes & Work Planner
Meeting Notes & Work Planner
Meeting Notes & Work Planner
Take Notes & Track Work Tasks
Free

Capture your thoughts and ideas with a versatile note-taking app. Easily create handwritten notes, add images, and convert speech to text. Organize your content with folders and sync across devices.

Handwritten note creationImage integrationSpeech-to-text conversion
πŸ“Š Productivity
(1.9K)
subscription
7
Notes Writer: PDF, Quiz, Docs
Notes Writer: PDF, Quiz, Docs
Notes Writer: PDF, Quiz, Docs
Flashcards, Voice Recorder, AI
Free

This app is a comprehensive note-taking and PDF editing solution for mobile devices. It allows users to write, format, and organize notes, annotate PDFs, fill forms, and scan documents. The app offers advanced editing tools, powerful search, and seamless sharing and export options.

Write and format notesAnnotate PDFs and fill formsOrganize with unlimited notebooks
πŸ“Š Productivity
(7.3K)
free with in-app purchases
8
Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup
Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup
Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup
Write & Type on PDFs and Notes
Free

Enhance your PDF workflow with powerful annotation and markup tools. This app offers a dynamic and intuitive experience for editing, drawing, and adding text to your documents. Access your work across multiple devices and collaborate in real-time.

Dynamic PDF annotation toolsCross-platform access and cloud syncReal-time collaboration
πŸ“Š Productivity
(2K)
free with in-app purchases
9
Flexcil Note & Good PDF Reader
Flexcil Note & Good PDF Reader
Flexcil Note & Good PDF Reader
Viewer, Editor, Notes, Planner
Free

This app offers a comprehensive suite of tools for note-taking, PDF editing, and digital journaling. It allows users to annotate documents, record audio, and organize study materials with intuitive gesture controls and Apple Pencil support. Enhance your productivity and creativity with this all-in-one study companion.

Edit and annotate PDF pagesGesture-based highlighting and image captureRecord and playback audio notes
πŸ“Š Productivity
(413)
free with in-app purchases