Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup vs Layer Platform
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup
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 tools
- Cross-platform access and cloud sync
- Real-time collaboration
- Insert text, images, lines, and shapes
- Convert images to PDF
- Redact sensitive information (Pro)
- Measurement tools (Pro)
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Powerful PDF tools at your fingertips. The latest PDF technology and software for a better experience. With an intuitive UI designed for delight – there’s a better way to PDF! Do your best work with Drawboard. - Dynamic PDF tools that feel good to use - Multi-platform access and storage. Where you are, your work is. - Paperless. A way of working for a sustainable future TOOLS FOR EVERY JOB Fast, responsive, and accurate markup tools. Draw with best-in-class ink for flawless Apple Pencil hand-feel and finally replace pen and paper. CROSS-PLATFORM ACCESS ON ANY DEVICE Upload your annotated PDFs to the cloud and mark up with others in real time with instant sync. Go Pro in-app for additional storage capacity and advanced features. WORK YOUR WAY Customize your workspace by docking your favorite tools and build a toolbar that works for you! MORE - Text review markup - freehand highlighter, text highlighter, underline, strikeout, squiggly on PDF. - Insert lines and shapes - cloud tool, rectangle, ellipse, line, arrow, polygon and polyline on PDF. - Add text with a range of fonts and text styling options - Insert images and camera photos onto PDFs. - Convert JPG and PNG image files to PDF. - Write, annotate, ink and draw on PDFs. - Customize and edit annotation colors, stroke widths, and opacities. - Create new blank PDF documents of different size, color, orientation and page count. - Insert, rotate and delete PDF pages. - Open, read, mark up and save large and complex PDF documents. GET MORE WITH PRO - Redact text and sections of your PDF documents - Measure elements on your page with length and area measurement tools and smart page calibration - Add callouts, hyperlinks and audio notes to your documents - On-page ruler - measure objects on your page with the ease of using a tape measure
Layer Platform
This app organizes detailed building project information, including materials, photos, and tasks, into a centralized library. It allows customization of data fields and direct synchronization with Revit models for real-time access by all team members.
- Contextual project information organization
- Customizable data fields
- Revit model integration
- Real-time data access
- Streamlined workflow
- Reduced redundancies and inaccuracies
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Layer was developed by architects for the AECO industry and can be connected to a Revit model to bridge the gap between real-world building data and BIM. App Features: — Contextually organize detailed project information like materials, photos, surveys, measurements, notes, and tasks into a single library, streamlining workflow and reducing time-consuming redundancies and costly inaccuracies. — Customize a wide range of data fields to capture every aspect of a building or project, which can then be instantly accessed both in the field and at the desk. — Connect Layer to Revit to view, edit, and sync real-time data directly to a building model, giving the entire team — from architect to owner — instant access to absolutely everything.
Screenshots
Verdict
Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup and Layer Platform both sit at 4.8 stars, but that hides the real split: 64% of Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup's written reviews are positive against 0% of Layer Platform's. Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup also leads on ratings volume (1.9K vs 13). Layer Platform's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 8) and update cadence (every 3 days vs weekly). On price, rating, ads and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Layer Platform asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup against 4.7 for Layer Platform. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup has 1.9K ratings behind it against 13, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 64% of Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup's written reviews are positive against 0% of Layer Platform's.
Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup ships an update weekly, Layer Platform every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 8, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup | Layer Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (1.9K ratings) — better | 4.7 (13 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 64.5% of reviews — better | 0.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1.9K — better | 13 |
| Update frequency | Weekly | Every 3 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 97 MB | 253 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Drawboard Pty Ltd | Layer, LLC |
Customer experience
Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup
Layer Platform
Bugs and requests
Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup
Reported bugs
5 issues- Annotations not syncing properly between devices
- Unexpected loss of work and unsaved changes
- Scrolling and page navigation issues
- Compatibility problems with certain PDF files
- Text input box disappearing after scrolling
Requested features
5 requests- Add page flattening and form filling options
- Improve eraser tool and precision
- Implement a dark mode
- Provide better organization and folder support
- Add more customization options for tools and UI
Layer Platform
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup
- Pro Lite7 Days trial$5.991 Month
- Pro Plus7 Days trial$9.991 Month
- Pro Unlimited7 Days trial$18.991 Month
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- Pro Lite7 Days trial$49.991 Year
- Pro Plus7 Days trial$83.901 Year
- Pro Unlimited7 Days trial$159.991 Year
- Pro Plus$10.00
- Pro Unlimited$20.00
Layer Platform
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup free?
Is Layer Platform free?
Which has better reviews, Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup or Layer Platform?
Do Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup or Layer Platform have ads?
Which is updated more often, Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup or Layer Platform?
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