Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup vs Notepad
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
Notepad
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Elevate your coding and writing workflow. Your iPad, iPhone, and Mac are incredibly powerful tools. Notepad: HTML, SVG & JSON is here to make them even better. Designed to fit perfectly into your daily routine, this app provides a beautifully simple and professional way to handle your code and text files. With our latest update, taking advantage of the larger screens on your iPad and Mac has never been easier thanks to the new Live Preview panel. You do not need any special software to start a new project; simply type your code and save the file with the exact extension you need, like .html. Whether you are making a quick update on your iPhone or building a complete webpage on your Mac, you can enjoy a seamless and productive experience. Because it works perfectly with iCloud, your newly created files and progress are always at hand across all your devices. Oh, and you can also just use it to type up some quick notes, save them as a PDF, or print them. After all, it is a notepad app! Why it enhances your workflow: • Live Code Preview (iPad & Mac): Watch your work come to life instantly as you type. The new preview panel supports HTML, SVG, Markdown, CSS, JSON, CSV/TSV, XML, and RTF. (Note: Mermaid and LaTeX previews are also supported and work best with an active internet connection). • Smart Preview Toggle: Keep your workspace exactly how you like it. Turn the preview on or off, and the app will remember your choice for each specific file. • Create Any File: Start from scratch without heavy software. Just write your text and save your file with the exact extension you need (like .html, .svg, or .json). • Always in Sync: Save your new files to iCloud and your work will instantly update across your iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Your documents are always right where you need them. • Seamless Editing: Effortlessly open your files directly from your folders. • Direct Saving: Save your brilliant work right back to the original file in just one tap. • Helpful Details: Keep track of your progress with live line and character counts. • Comfortable View: Easily zoom in and out to find the perfect text size for reading on any screen. • Share and Print: Quickly export your documents as a PDF or print them directly. (Because sometimes you just need to print your grocery list—it is a notepad, after all!) • Universal Workspace: A smooth and familiar experience across all your Apple devices.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup at Free against Notepad's $1.99. Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup also leads on iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.2). Notepad's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 8) and update cadence (every 3 days vs weekly). On 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
Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup is free to download; Notepad costs $1.99 up front. Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Notepad asks for nothing beyond the download.
Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup ships an update weekly, Notepad every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup | Notepad |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $1.99 |
| Rating | 4.8 (2K ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 64.2% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 2K — better | — |
| Update frequency | Weekly | Every 3 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 — better | 26.2 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 98 MB | 6 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Drawboard Pty Ltd | Rafael Battaglini Camargo |
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
Notepad
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
Notepad
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup free?
Is Notepad free?
Do Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup or Notepad have ads?
Which is updated more often, Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup or Notepad?
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