# Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup vs SEMA3

The clearest difference is rating: Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup at 4.8 against SEMA3's 3.4. Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup also leads on update cadence (every 11 days vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (2K vs 7). SEMA3's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 8) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.0). On price, 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. SEMA3 asks for nothing beyond the download.

Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup has 2K ratings behind it against 7, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 64% of Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup's written reviews are positive against 40% of SEMA3's.

Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup ships an update every 11 days, SEMA3 every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup | SEMA3 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drawboard-pdf-annotate-markup/id1086503728/reviews)** | [3.4 (7 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sema3/id1427120118/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **2K** | 7 |
| Positive reviews | **64.4% of reviews** | 40.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 11 days** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 97 MB | 38 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **15.1** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Mac** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Drawboard Pty Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1081203672) | [Richard Sinnott](https://appshunter.io/developer/1080236817) |

## 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


### SEMA3

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sema3/id1427120118)

Design and conduct smartphone-based survey research with this comprehensive software suite. It offers tools for creating and deploying ecological momentary assessments directly on mobile devices.

**Highlights:** Design survey research, Conduct smartphone surveys, Ecological momentary assessment, Mobile survey deployment, Research software suite

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**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 SEMA3 free?

SEMA3 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup or SEMA3?

Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup is rated higher. Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup averages 4.8 out of 5 from 2K ratings, while SEMA3 averages 3.4 from 7 ratings.

### Do Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup or SEMA3 have ads?

Neither Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup nor SEMA3 shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup or SEMA3?

Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup ships an update every 11 days, and SEMA3 every 2 months. Most recently, Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup was updated on October 17, 2026 and SEMA3 on October 4, 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.*