Comparison

Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup vs BLK Live

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

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
Read full description

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

About

BLK Live

This application allows users to connect to and control Leica 3D imaging laser scanners. It provides real-time visualization of scan paths, 3D viewing for data inspection, and direct export options to common file formats or cloud platforms.

Highlights
  • Connect to BLK scanners
  • Control scanner settings
  • Organize data in jobs
  • Real-time scan path visualization
  • 3D data inspection
  • Export scans to e57
  • Upload to Reality Cloud Studio
Read full description

Take control with BLK Live. Leica Geosystems introduces BLK Live, together with the ALL-NEW Leica BLK360 imaging laser scanner, BLK2GO and BLK2GO PULSE. BLK Live is optimized to offer the simplest and most effortless path to your data. Connect to your BLK, control scanner settings and organize your data in jobs. 3D viewing options allow you to inspect what was scanned, so you can make sure that you captured everything you need. BLK360 keeps track of its motion between two setups using its built in cameras and the VIS system. BLK Live shows you this path in real time so you always know where the device is, relative to the previous setup. When your Job is done, simply export your scans to e57, or upload to Reality Cloud Studio - directly from BLK Live.

Screenshots

Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup4 screens
BLK Live4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup at 64% against BLK Live's 0%. Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup also leads on rating (4.8 vs 1.5) and update cadence (every 11 days vs every 2 months). BLK Live's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 8) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. BLK Live asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 1.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup has 2K ratings behind it against 11, 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 0% of BLK Live's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup ships an update every 11 days, BLK Live every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup versus BLK Live: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDrawboard PDF Annotate, MarkupBLK Live
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (2K ratings) — better1.5 (11 ratings)
Positive reviews64.4% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings2K — better11
Update frequencyEvery 11 days — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS17.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size97 MB145 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDrawboard Pty LtdLeica Geosystems AG

Customer experience

Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup

All ratings1,965 ratings
Positive96.3%
Neutral1.7%
Negative2.0%
Written reviews295 reviews
Positive64.4%
Neutral12.2%
Negative23.4%

BLK Live

All ratings11 ratings
Positive9.1%
Neutral9.1%
Negative81.8%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral28.6%
Negative71.4%

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

BLK Live

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

8 purchases

Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup

Subscriptions6
  • Pro Lite7 Days trial$5.991 Month
  • Pro Plus7 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Pro Unlimited7 Days trial$18.991 Month
Show 3 more
  • Pro Lite7 Days trial$49.991 Year
  • Pro Plus7 Days trial$83.901 Year
  • Pro Unlimited7 Days trial$159.991 Year
One-time2
  • Pro Plus$10.00
  • Pro Unlimited$20.00
None

BLK Live

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup free?
Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is BLK Live free?
BLK Live is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup or BLK Live?
Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup is rated higher. Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup averages 4.8 out of 5 from 2K ratings, while BLK Live averages 1.5 from 11 ratings.
Do Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup or BLK Live have ads?
Neither Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup nor BLK Live shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup or BLK Live?
Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup ships an update every 11 days, and BLK Live every 2 months. Most recently, Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup was updated on October 15, 2026 and BLK Live on September 30, 2026.

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