# GUGA vs BoardNotes

The clearest difference is ads: GUGA at none against BoardNotes's shown. GUGA also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 10 days). BoardNotes's advantage is review sentiment (81% vs 70%). On price, rating, ratings volume and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. GUGA sells 3 one-off in-app purchases and BoardNotes sells 23 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for GUGA against 4.7 for BoardNotes. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 163 and 111 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 70% of GUGA's written reviews are positive against 81% of BoardNotes's.

GUGA ships an update every 4 days, BoardNotes every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on July 3, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | GUGA | BoardNotes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (163 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/guga-hyperboard/id1619055819/reviews) | [4.7 (111 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/boardnotes-whiteboard-and-pdf/id6448847544/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **163** | 111 |
| Positive reviews | 70.2% of reviews | **81.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 days** | Every 10 days |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 705 MB | 356 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [GutenbergGalaxy Technology Co.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1592037946) | [Chongqing Ouluowa Technology Co., Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1686544790) |

## What reviewers say

### GUGA

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/guga-hyperboard/id1619055819)

This app combines notebook, whiteboard, and card functionalities for diverse learning needs. It allows for importing various formats, multi-layer handwriting, and creating interconnected learning materials. Share your progress and access cross-device data with ease.

**Highlights:** Import various notebook formats, Multi-layer handwriting support, Create and link cards, Multi-level whiteboard functionality, Cross-device data sharing, Community sharing platform

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Limited-time Discount C | $4.99 | one-time |
| Limited-time Discount B | $6.99 | one-time |
| Unlock GUGA PRO | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 User-friendly interface
- 💡 Handwriting search capability
- 🌟 Good for note-taking and studying
- 🎨 Beautiful app design
- ✍️ Natural pen strokes

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Pencil direction not rotating
- 🐛 Terms and Privacy Policy not accessible
- 🐛 Cannot log in
- 🐛 iCloud sync glitchy
- 🐛 Notes erased when switching devices

**Reported bugs**

- Pencil direction does not rotate with pencil movement
- Cannot check Terms and Privacy Policy on first app open
- Cannot log in
- iCloud sync is glitchy
- Notes get erased when switching devices

**Requested features**

- Allow Apple Pencil to transition to previous tool
- Adapt to Apple Pencil Pro squeeze gesture
- Return to previous PDF card viewing mode
- Allow Mac OS version with iCloud syncing
- Add auto backup to other cloud drives (Google Drive, OneDrive)


### BoardNotes

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/boardnotes-whiteboard-and-pdf/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 GUGA free?

GUGA is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is BoardNotes free?

BoardNotes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, GUGA or BoardNotes?

GUGA and BoardNotes are both rated 4.7 out of 5 on the App Store, from 163 and 111 ratings respectively.

### Do GUGA or BoardNotes have ads?

BoardNotes shows ads; GUGA does not.

### Which is updated more often, GUGA or BoardNotes?

GUGA ships an update every 4 days, and BoardNotes every 10 days. Most recently, GUGA was updated on July 3, 2026 and BoardNotes on September 23, 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.*