Comparison

Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup vs BookNotes

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

BookNotes

Features
Read full description

BookNotes helps you turn reading into real learning. Capture voice or text notes as you read, then transform them into clear summaries, patterns, and insights you can actually use. Instead of forgetting what you read, BookNotes helps you connect ideas across books and build knowledge that compounds over time. --- CAPTURE IDEAS AS YOU READ • Record quick voice notes (up to 90 seconds) • Write text notes on the go • No friction, no heavy organisation --- TURN NOTES INTO INSIGHTS • Automatic summaries for every note • See recurring themes across books • Generate insights from everything you’ve read • Ask follow-up questions to explore deeper --- BUILD KNOWLEDGE THAT COMPOUNDS • Connect ideas across multiple books • Spot patterns you’d otherwise miss • Turn scattered notes into structured thinking --- DESIGNED FOR REAL READING • Simple, distraction-free experience • Works alongside your reading habit • No complicated systems to maintain --- FREE TRIAL Start with a 7-day free trial. Upgrade to Pro for unlimited notes, more insights, and extended voice recording. --- SUBSCRIPTION BookNotes Pro unlocks the full experience: • Unlimited notes • Up to 200 voice minutes per month • 30 insight sessions per month • Export your notes Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. --- Whether you read for growth, business, or curiosity, BookNotes helps you turn what you read into something you won't forget. --- Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup4 screens
BookNotes4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is device support: Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup at 3 against BookNotes's 1. On price, ads, in-app purchases and iOS requirement 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 BookNotes sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup versus BookNotes: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDrawboard PDF Annotate, MarkupBookNotes
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (2K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews64.2% of reviews—
Number of ratings2K — better—
Update frequencyWeekly—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size98 MB24 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDrawboard Pty LtdAaron Vale

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

BookNotes

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
2 purchases

BookNotes

Subscriptions2
  • BookNotes Pro Monthly$9.991 Month
  • BookNotes Pro Yearly$79.001 Year

Questions

Is Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup free?
Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is BookNotes free?
BookNotes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup or BookNotes have ads?
Neither Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup nor BookNotes shows ads.

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