# PaperTube vs BoardNotes

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: PaperTube at none against BoardNotes's 25. 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 10 days vs every 2 months). On price, ratings volume and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. BoardNotes sells 23 one-off in-app purchases. PaperTube asks for nothing beyond the download.

BoardNotes holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 101 and 115 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 46% of PaperTube's written reviews are positive against 80% of BoardNotes's.

PaperTube ships an update every 2 months, BoardNotes every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 17, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | PaperTube | BoardNotes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.4 (101 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/papertube/id1317169114/reviews) | **[4.7 (115 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/boardnotes-notes-pdf-docs/id6448847544/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 101 | **115** |
| Positive reviews | 45.8% of reviews | **80.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 10 days** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 33 MB | 342 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.2** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [NeoLAB Convergence Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/916072724) | [Chongqing Ouluowa Technology Co., Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1686544790) |

## What reviewers say

### PaperTube

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/papertube/id1317169114)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### BoardNotes

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/boardnotes-notes-pdf-docs/id6448847544)

This app combines whiteboard, notebook, PDF management, mind mapping, and flashcard creation into a single, versatile handwriting note-taking tool. It offers a wide array of pen types, organizational features, and study aids to enhance productivity and learning.

**Highlights:** Handwriting note-taking, Integrated whiteboard, PDF import and editing, Mind mapping functionality, Spaced repetition flashcards, Multiple pen and brush types, Layer management

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (23)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 7 days membership | $0.99 | one-time |
| 5 days membership | $0.99 | one-time |
| Math Formula Recognition | $1.99 | one-time |
| 1 month membership | $1.99 | one-time |
| Annual Membership | $3.99 | one-time |
| Permanent Unlock All | $3.99 | one-time |
| 6 months membership | $3.99 | one-time |
| 6 months membership (discount) | $3.99 | one-time |
| Permanent Unlock All | $4.99 | one-time |
| Annual Membership | $4.99 | one-time |
| 6 months membership | $4.99 | one-time |
| Full version Unlock | $5.99 | one-time |
| Annual Membership (discount) | $5.99 | one-time |
| 6 months membership | $6.99 | one-time |
| Permanent Unlock All | $6.99 | one-time |
| Annual Membership | $6.99 | one-time |
| Spring Festival Discount | $6.99 | one-time |
| Annual Membership | $7.99 | one-time |
| Permanent Unlock All | $7.99 | one-time |
| Permanent Unlock All(discount) | $7.99 | one-time |
| Permanent Unlock All | $8.99 | one-time |
| Permanent Unlock All | $9.99 | one-time |
| Permanent Unlock All | $19.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 💎 All-in-one app
- 💡 Feature-rich note-taking
- ✍️ Excellent Apple Pencil integration
- 💰 Affordable one-time purchase
- 🚀 Smooth performance

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔋 High battery consumption
- 🔥 Device gets hot
- 🐛 Data loss (whiteboards erased)
- 🚫 No automatic backup
- 🔍 Limited search functions

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- Sync to Google Drive/other cloud services
- Faster 'add to cards' function
- View carded items in sidebar
- Color coding for pins
- Image opacity adjustment


## Frequently asked 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 101 ratings, while BoardNotes averages 4.7 from 115 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 10 days. Most recently, PaperTube was updated on October 16, 2026 and BoardNotes on October 17, 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.*