Comparison

PaperTube vs BoardNotes

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

Head to head
About

PaperTube

Easily create videos by simultaneously recording your screen and handwritten notes. Enhance your productions with adjustable pen settings, camera options, and custom background templates. Share your content as various file formats.

Highlights
  • Simultaneous screen and handwriting capture
  • Adjustable pen thickness and color
  • Front and rear camera switching
  • Customizable background templates
  • Export as PDF, PNG, JPEG
  • Paper remote control functionality
Read full description

Showcase Your Story! PaperTube is a new type of video production tool that you can use to easily produce a video and record real-time screen and handwritten data at the same time. Now create and share your story made with your own theme, thoughts, and knowledge with PaperTube!   ※ PaperTube is an application designated only for Neo smartpen and Ncode paper ※ From version 1.2 is compatible with Moleskine Smart Writing set & apple pencil.   [Store simultaneously real-time screen and handwriting data] You can simultaneously store real-time screen and handwritten data from your N notebooks with PaperTube. Without any additional equipment, you can easily create and share various video contents.   [Supports various functions required for video production] You can adjust the pen type such as the thickness and color of the pen during the video recording, switch between front and rear camera, change the position of the screen and more to make a more professional video.   [Video production with various background templates] You can use a blank notebook or you can create your own template by using your own formats as background. Your own template can be printed with Ncode A4 paper using blueprint function.   [Share and manage your handwritten content as PDF, PNG, JPEG format] After completing the video production, you can share, export and save all the contents created with Neo smartpen in various file format and also manage the video and the writing history.   [PaperTube controller for upgraded video production] PaperTube controller is a paper remote control incorporated with various functions from changing pen type to different sound effect which can be used by touching with Neo smartpen. ※ PaperTube controllers are included in the Ncode A4 product package and can be downloaded from the Neo smartpen homepage.   [ Ncode A4 product package for PaperTube] With Ncde A4 product package and a Neo smartpen, you can start using PaperTube. Ncode A4 product package is composed of Ncoded paper for a blueprint, smartphone stand, and PaperTube controllers. ※ You can purchase the Ncode A4 product pack only at the official stores of Neo smartpen. https://shop.neosmartpen.com/collections/n-notebook/products/n-code-a4

About

BoardNotes

This app combines note-taking, whiteboarding, PDF management, mind mapping, and flashcards into a single, versatile tool. It offers a rich set of handwriting and drawing features, supports various media types, and includes an intelligent flashcard system for efficient learning.

Highlights
  • Integrated whiteboard, notebook, PDF, mind map, and flashcards
  • Extensive handwriting pen and brush options
  • Lasso tool and pixel/object eraser
  • Whiteboard with media cards and auxiliary tools
  • Notebooks and PDFs with import/export and page management
  • Mind mapping with customizable nodes and structures
  • Spaced repetition flashcards with SuperMemo algorithm
Features
Read full description

Feature Introduction: BoardNotes is a versatile handwriting note-taking app that integrates five major functions—whiteboard, notebook, PDF, mind map, and flashcards—covering most note-taking scenarios. It serves as your All-In-One App. Handwriting Pen: 1. BoardNotes utilizes Apple's native pen technology and has developed additional pens tailored for Chinese writing, including a fountain pen, a laser pointer for presentations, and a tape pen for masking notes. 2. Choose from a variety of brushes (laser pen, tape pen, ballpoint pen, straight-line pen, wavy-line pen, custom fountain pen, quill pen, pencil, marker, watercolor pen, fill pen, single-line pen, crayon, freehand pen) to unleash your creativity. 3. Lasso tool (extremely powerful). 4. Eraser (pixel eraser and object eraser). Whiteboard: 1. The whiteboard is ideal for organizing fragmented knowledge, brainstorming, and boosting creativity. 2. Write and draw freely without worrying about boundaries. 3. Customize background colors and grid templates. 4. Add various card types (text, image, video, audio, webpage, file, handwriting). 5. Multiple auxiliary tools: background board, pins, link navigation (supports bidirectional links), connectors, timer (countdown supported), calculator. 6. Quickly locate notes using the search function. Notebook & PDF: 1. Create notebooks and PDFs with multiple paper templates and cover options. Import images from Photos or PDFs from the Files app as pages or covers. 2. Add text, images, stickers, videos, webpage snapshots, audio recordings, links (bidirectional links supported), timers, calculators, and floating PDF windows. 3. Layer functionality—show or hide layers as needed. 4. Insert new pages via blank sheets, images, scanned documents, or files. 5. Cut, copy, and paste pages into other notebooks or PDFs. 6. Duplicate, rotate, or delete pages. 7. Reorder pages via long-press and drag in thumbnail view. 8. Create outlines and add bookmarks. 9. Search (text, handwritten notes, etc.). 10. Import e-books (epub, mobi, azw, etc.). Mind Map: 1. Mind mapping is a key feature within the whiteboard. 2. Nodes support multiple formats (text, image, handwriting, video, audio, webpage snapshot, file). 3. Offers 3 structures and 18 color schemes. 4. Add summaries (brackets). 5. Handwritten mind maps (using handwritten cards). 6. Long-press and drag selected cards into the mind map. 7. Reorder nodes or adjust hierarchy via long-press and drag. Flashcard: 1. Flashcards use the SuperMemo algorithm to automatically schedule optimal review intervals, reminding you before forgetting to maximize memory efficiency. 2. Flashcards support text, images, and handwriting. 3. Quickly create cards from notes in whiteboards, notebooks, or PDFs using the rectangular lasso tool. Download BoardNotes for free on iPad, iPhone, and Mac. For suggestions, please contact us via the in-app feedback feature.

Screenshots

PaperTube4 screens
BoardNotes4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: PaperTube at none against BoardNotes's 10. PaperTube also leads on ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (11.2 vs 15.0). BoardNotes's advantage is review sentiment (80% vs 46%) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months). On price, ratings volume 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. BoardNotes sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. PaperTube asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

BoardNotes holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 100 and 116 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 46% of PaperTube's written reviews are positive against 80% of BoardNotes's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PaperTube ships an update every 2 months, BoardNotes every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
PaperTube versus BoardNotes: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPaperTubeBoardNotes
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (100 ratings)4.7 (116 ratings) — better
Positive reviews45.8% of reviews80.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings100116 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS11.2 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size33 MB342 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNeoLAB Convergence IncChongqing Ouluowa Technology Co., Ltd.

Customer experience

PaperTube

All ratings101 ratings
Positive83.2%
Neutral7.9%
Negative8.9%
Written reviews24 reviews
Positive45.8%
Neutral12.5%
Negative41.7%

BoardNotes

All ratings116 ratings
Positive94.8%
Neutral1.7%
Negative3.4%
Written reviews45 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral6.7%
Negative13.3%

Bugs and requests

PaperTube

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

BoardNotes

Reported bugs

16 issues
  • Whiteboards erasing automatically
  • No automatic backup leading to data loss
  • Syncing issues between iPad and Mac
  • Pencil tip not appearing on PDF annotations
  • App crashes frequently
Show 11 more
  • Recording data is lost
  • Cannot create new notebooks
  • Gear icon for settings missing in dark mode
  • Issue with eraser and color selection logic
  • Lasso tool missing cut button after cropping
  • PDF embeds appear blurry
  • Handwriting search not implemented
  • Accidental touches/palm rejection issues
  • Chinese font display issues in markdown
  • App freezes when using search function
  • Software flashes back (crashes)

Requested features

24 requests
  • Sync to Google Drive/other cloud services
  • Faster 'add to cards' function
  • View carded items in sidebar
  • Color coding for pins
  • Image opacity adjustment
Show 19 more
  • Faster image copy from whiteboard
  • Android app version
  • WebDAV function
  • Markdown editing/viewing function
  • Handwriting recognition and search
  • Improve palm rejection/anti-touch
  • Add more brush types (with stroke variation)
  • Search for handwritten text
  • Dark Mode UI
  • More calculator functions (square root, trig identities)
  • In-app browser (ChatGPT, YouTube integration)
  • Easier UI navigation of notebook pages
  • Ability to change existing page formats
  • More in-depth pen fine-tuning
  • Optimize UI, move undo/redo to top right
  • Adjust pressure sensitivity
  • Customizable top toolbar icons
  • Add college rule paper
  • Translate function for papers

In-app purchases

None

PaperTube

No in-app purchases

10 purchases

BoardNotes

One-time10
  • 5 days membership$0.99
  • Math Formula Recognition$1.99
  • 1 month membership$1.99
Show 7 more
  • Permanent Unlock All$4.99
  • 6 months membership$4.99
  • 6 months membership$6.99
  • Permanent Unlock All$6.99
  • Annual Membership$7.99
  • Permanent Unlock All$7.99
  • Permanent Unlock All$9.99

Questions

Is PaperTube free?
PaperTube is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is BoardNotes free?
BoardNotes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, PaperTube or BoardNotes?
BoardNotes is rated higher. PaperTube averages 4.4 out of 5 from 100 ratings, while BoardNotes averages 4.7 from 116 ratings.
Do PaperTube or BoardNotes have ads?
BoardNotes shows ads; PaperTube does not.
Which is updated more often, PaperTube or BoardNotes?
PaperTube ships an update every 2 months, and BoardNotes every 2 weeks. Most recently, PaperTube was updated on November 2, 2026 and BoardNotes on November 7, 2026.

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