# PaintNotes vs Notator | Annotate Documents

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.

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | PaintNotes | Notator | Annotate Documents |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.8 (29 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/paintnotes/id1106747531/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **29** | — |
| Positive reviews | 66.7% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 43 MB | 30 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 18.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [心悦 吕](https://appshunter.io/developer/1689365127) | [CIMTOPS SG LAB Pte. Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1657070999) |

## What reviewers say

### PaintNotes

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/paintnotes/id1106747531)

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlocking features | $3.99 | one-time |


### Notator | Annotate Documents

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/notator-annotate-documents/id6447326736)

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Notator Pro Monthly | $1.99 | per month |
| Notator Pro Yearly | $8.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*