Comparison

PaintNotes vs Notator | Annotate Documents

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

Head to head
About

PaintNotes

This app offers a minimalist digital notebook with an infinite canvas for freeform writing and drawing. Easily import files and organize your thoughts without delay.

Highlights
  • Infinite canvas
  • Freeform writing and drawing
  • File import
  • Minimalist interface
  • Unlimited drafts
Read full description

The PaintNote are simple, freely written notebooks. The minimalist interface and simple features make it easier to use. Start to write without any waiting. Unlimited draft paper, free to move, zoom and position. You can import files in a variety of formats.

About

Notator | Annotate Documents

Read full description

Notator is the ultimate app for all your PDF and image annotation needs, along with seamless note-taking capabilities. It adapts effortlessly to any situation, whether you're studying, working, or simply organizing your personal life. Experience the versatility of Notator today! What does Notator have in store for you? 1. Easy Annotation on PDFs and Images Effortlessly elevate your PDFs and images using a range of editing tools like pens, text boxes, and shapes. Infuse your own style by adding annotations, whether it's making notes on drawings, creating study guides, or refining your materials to perfection. 2. Supports Apple Pencil Our platform is fully compatible with the Apple Pencil, guaranteeing a seamless and precise writing experience when working on your documents. Additionally, you have the flexibility to utilize your fingers as an alternative input method. 3. Flexible PDF Import Extract specific portions from images saved on your device, recently captured photos, or PDF materials, and seamlessly insert them into your document while editing. 4. High-Quality PDF Support No need to worry about image degradation when importing large PDFs, even ones as big as A0 size. Edit detailed drawings and extensive project materials with ease, so you can stay stress-free while working on your documents. 5. Clipping and Pasting of PDFs & Photos Extract specific portions from images saved on your device, recently captured photos, or PDF materials, and seamlessly insert them into your document while editing. 6. Zoom Function Enables zooming up to 1000%, ensuring a hassle-free experience for annotating and reviewing intricate details in drawings. 7. Intuitive Page Management Effortlessly manage pages in imported PDFs or created documents with an intuitive interface. Rearrange, duplicate, delete, or add pages with ease, putting you in complete control. 8. Cloud Storage Compatible Easily import PDFs and images from cloud storage services like iCloud, Dropbox, Box. You can also upload your own documents hassle-free. 9. Notator Pro By upgrading to Notator Pro, you unlock the following features: - Export your created documents as PDFs or JPGs to easily share them with other apps. - Edit documents created by colleagues, friends, or family on different devices (note: real-time co-editing is not available). Stay tuned for more exciting updates as we add more useful features. To register, simply head to the "Settings" menu and select "Notator Pro." And guess what? You can enjoy a free trial for the first week! ◆ Ideal for a wide range of situations including: - Annotating intricate drawings or documents with precision. - Extracting specific sections from multi-page PDFs and adding your notes. - Annotating PDFs and images stored in cloud storage effortlessly. - Cutting out sections from various PDFs and images and compiling them into a single document. ◆ Contact Us If you have any questions, problems, or requests about using the app, feel free to contact us via our contact form. https://cimtops-sglab.com/about#contact-us ◆ Terms of Service https://cimtops-sglab.com/terms ◆ Privacy Policy https://cimtops-sglab.com/privacy-policy

Screenshots

PaintNotes4 screens
Notator | Annotate Documents4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: PaintNotes at fortnightly against Notator | Annotate Documents's every 2 months. PaintNotes also leads on iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.0). 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. PaintNotes sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Notator | Annotate Documents sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PaintNotes ships an update fortnightly, Notator | Annotate Documents every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on July 18, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
PaintNotes versus Notator | Annotate Documents: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPaintNotesNotator | Annotate Documents
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.8 (29 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings29 — better—
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size43 MB30 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer心悦 吕CIMTOPS SG LAB Pte. Ltd.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

PaintNotes

One-time1
  • Unlocking features$3.99
2 purchases

Notator | Annotate Documents

Subscriptions2
  • Notator Pro Monthly7 Days trial$1.991 Month
  • Notator Pro Yearly7 Days trial$8.991 Year

Questions

Is PaintNotes free?
PaintNotes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Notator | Annotate Documents free?
Notator | Annotate Documents is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do PaintNotes or Notator | Annotate Documents have ads?
Neither PaintNotes nor Notator | Annotate Documents shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PaintNotes or Notator | Annotate Documents?
PaintNotes ships an update fortnightly, and Notator | Annotate Documents every 2 months. Most recently, PaintNotes was updated on July 18, 2026 and Notator | Annotate Documents on September 19, 2026.

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