# Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup vs Layer Platform

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup | Layer Platform |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (1.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drawboard-pdf-annotate-markup/id1086503728/reviews)** | [4.7 (13 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/layer-platform/id1367048141/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.9K** | 13 |
| Positive reviews | **64.5% of reviews** | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Weekly | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 97 MB | 253 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Drawboard Pty Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1081203672) | [Layer, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1367048080) |

## What reviewers say

### Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drawboard-pdf-annotate-markup/id1086503728)

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.

**Highlights:** 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)

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro Lite | $5.99 | per month |
| Pro Plus | $9.99 | per month |
| Pro Unlimited | $18.99 | per month |
| Pro Lite | $49.99 | per year |
| Pro Plus | $83.90 | per year |
| Pro Unlimited | $159.99 | per year |
| Pro Plus | $10.00 | one-time |
| Pro Unlimited | $20.00 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Excellent PDF annotation tools
- 👍 Convenient cross-platform sync
- 🚀 Fast and responsive
- 👍 Great for students and professionals
- 🚀 Smooth writing experience with Apple Pencil

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes and bugs
- 🔒 Cloud storage limitations
- 💰 Expensive subscription model
- 🔍 Missing search and bookmark features
- 🔧 Inconsistent functionality between platforms

**Reported bugs**

- 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**

- 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

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/layer-platform/id1367048141)

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.

**Highlights:** Contextual project information organization, Customizable data fields, Revit model integration, Real-time data access, Streamlined workflow, Reduced redundancies and inaccuracies

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup free?

Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Layer Platform free?

Layer Platform is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup or Layer Platform?

Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup is rated higher. Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup averages 4.8 out of 5 from 1.9K ratings, while Layer Platform averages 4.7 from 13 ratings.

### Do Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup or Layer Platform have ads?

Neither Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup nor Layer Platform shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup or Layer Platform?

Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup ships an update weekly, and Layer Platform every 3 days. Most recently, Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup was updated on September 22, 2026 and Layer Platform on September 8, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*