# Blackboard vs Etchpad

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Etchpad at 80% against Blackboard's 17%. Blackboard's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 21 months) and rating (4.5 vs 4.3). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Blackboard holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 14 and 12 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 17% of Blackboard's written reviews are positive against 80% of Etchpad's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Blackboard ships an update every 2 months, Etchpad every 21 months. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Blackboard | Etchpad |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.5 (14 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blackboard-simple/id1600026235/reviews)** | [4.3 (12 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/etchpad-sketch-an-image/id6446990936/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **14** | 12 |
| Positive reviews | 16.7% of reviews | **80.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 21 months |
| Monetization | Ad-supported | Ad-supported |
| Size | 13 MB | 7 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.6** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Ryouhei Azuma](https://appshunter.io/developer/1353297781) | [Digital Footmark Oy](https://appshunter.io/developer/1062685418) |

## What reviewers say

### Blackboard

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blackboard-simple/id1600026235)

This drawing app mimics a physical blackboard, allowing users to sketch and write with white and red pens. It supports multi-touch for collaborative drawing and enables saving creations as images. Use it as a digital notepad or for artistic expression.

**Highlights:** Blackboard simulation, White and red pen tools, Multi-touch drawing, Save drawings as images, Digital notepad functionality

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Etchpad

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/etchpad-sketch-an-image/id6446990936)

Relive nostalgic drawing experiences with this app that lets you create images using two knobs for horizontal and vertical lines. Erase your creations by shaking your device or using a long press. Share your artwork through various methods.

**Highlights:** Draw with horizontal and vertical knobs, Shake to erase screen, Long press erase option, Share drawings easily, Nostalgic drawing interface

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Blackboard free?

Blackboard is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Etchpad free?

Etchpad is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Blackboard or Etchpad?

Blackboard is rated higher. Blackboard averages 4.5 out of 5 from 14 ratings, while Etchpad averages 4.3 from 12 ratings.

### Do Blackboard or Etchpad have ads?

Both Blackboard and Etchpad show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Blackboard or Etchpad?

Blackboard ships an update every 2 months, and Etchpad every 21 months. Most recently, Blackboard was updated on October 25, 2026 and Etchpad on October 24, 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.*