Comparison

Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup vs PlanForm

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

PlanForm

This professional-grade PDF reader is built for AEC professionals to view, measure, and annotate technical drawings and PDFs with precision. It offers advanced tools for measurement, markup, OCR, and document management across various devices.

Highlights
  • Seamless PDF viewing and browsing
  • Precise measurement tools with scale setting
  • Extensive annotation options
  • OCR for text and table extraction
  • Document management and conversion tools
  • Revision drawing comparison
Features
Read full description

PlanForm is a professional-grade PDF reader specifically designed for Architectural, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) professionals. Delivering exceptional performance across all mobile devices and tablets, it ensures seamless viewing and measuring of PDFs and technical drawings with pixel-perfect precision. PlanForm Highlights for iOS/iPad: 1.Unzip&Browse PDF Drawings • Seamless browsing for drawings of any size 2.Measure PDF Drawings • Set the scale easily • Measure length and area quickly 3.Annotate PDF Drawings • Cloud/Pen/Text • Multiple annotation options to meet diverse needs 4.Search PDF Bookmarks • Too many pages?Find any instantly with bookmark search PlanForm Highlights for Windows/Mac: 1. Intelligent Measurement Tools • Set scale by length or select preset scale, supports metric and imperial systems • Length measurements, such as Linear and Aligned • Continuous length measurement • Measure square and polygon area • Auto Fill irregular area • Count Tool • Measure radius, angles, arc length etc. • Data tabulation of all measurements and markups • Automatic snapping points for better accuracy 2. Quick Markup Tools • Drawing tools such as Line, Rectangle, Ellipse, Arrow, Revision Cloud • Compare Revision Drawings • Highlighter tool • Add and modify texts • Sequence labelling • Insert and paste image • Erase content 3. OCR Functions • Identify & Extract Texts/Tables (OCR) • Find texts In Scanned PDF • Auto generate bookmarks for PDF 4. Document Management & Convert • Convert image files to PDF • Combine documents • Split document • Extract Pages • Delete Pages • Insert Pages Still have questions? Feel free to contact our technical support via email, we provide 1-to-1 services for free! Email: planformservice@gmail.com Don't forget to follow our social media pages to learn more tips and tutorials! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PlanFormPDF TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@PlanFormPDF Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PlanFormPDF Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/planformpdf/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cadreader/ Website: https://pdf.fastcadreader.com/

Screenshots

Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup4 screens
PlanForm4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: PlanForm at 100% against Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup's 64%. PlanForm also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and rating (5.0 vs 4.8). Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup's advantage is ratings volume (1.9K vs 2) and update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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 and PlanForm sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

PlanForm holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup has 1.9K ratings behind it against 2, 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 100% of PlanForm's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup ships an update weekly, PlanForm every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup versus PlanForm: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDrawboard PDF Annotate, MarkupPlanForm
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (1.9K ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews64.5% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1.9K — better2
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, MaciPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS17.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size97 MB22 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDrawboard Pty LtdBeijing Honghu Yuntu Technology Co., Ltd.

Customer experience

Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup

All ratings1,905 ratings
Positive96.3%
Neutral1.7%
Negative2.0%
Written reviews287 reviews
Positive64.5%
Neutral11.8%
Negative23.7%

PlanForm

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

PlanForm

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
3 purchases

PlanForm

One-time3
  • 1 Month Plan$15.00
  • 6 Month Plan$80.00
  • 1 Year Plan$100.00

Questions

Is Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup free?
Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PlanForm free?
PlanForm is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup or PlanForm?
PlanForm is rated higher. Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup averages 4.8 out of 5 from 1.9K ratings, while PlanForm averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup or PlanForm have ads?
Neither Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup nor PlanForm shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup or PlanForm?
Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup ships an update weekly, and PlanForm every 3 weeks. Most recently, Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup was updated on September 22, 2026 and PlanForm on September 21, 2026.

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