Comparison

BigPaper vs Downward

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

Head to head
About

BigPaper

This app offers an infinite canvas for note-taking, PDF annotation, and mind mapping. Import various document formats and add text, handwriting, tables, and more. Efficiently organize and edit content without page limitations.

Highlights
  • Infinite canvas for freeform note-taking
  • Import and annotate PDFs and other documents
  • Mind mapping with element connections
  • Handwriting and drawing tools with Smart Shapes
  • Table creation and linking
  • Multi-format document import and export
  • Screenshot mode for quick content capture
Features
Read full description

BigPaper is a borderless note taking application. You can import and expand PDFs and other formats in BigPaper and freely take notes in an infinite canvas without being limited by the edges of the document. You can use BigPaper on both iPhone and iPad for efficient editing with iCloud data sync. Whether it's annotating PDFs, making handbooks, or creating mind maps, BigPaper is ready to go. BigPaper's features include multi-format document import, text input, handwriting, mind mapping, tables, scanned documents, free edge screenshots, containers, folder management, search for handwriting and text, etc. We welcome every rating, and we will read every piece of feedback and take notes to incorporate it in future updates. Your 5-star review will encourage us to continue to upgrade BigPaper and introduce new features. —— Introduction of functions —— 「Infinite canvas, freeform add elements」 Canvas can be zoomed and moved for editing. Add documents in multiple formats such as PDF, as well as multiple types of elements such as tables, text, drawings, handwriting, pictures, stickers, paper, scanned documents, and more. These elements can be scaled and rotated. 「Mind Mapping - Easily connect ideas」 Innovative mind mapping mode. Connect elements on the page (text, pictures, tables, etc.) to quickly generate mind maps from inspiration. Also support the step-by-step enlargement of the idea by expanding the mind map. 「Type anywhere」 Customize the font, size and color of the text. To-do list, bullets can be added to the text. 「Brush Tool - Handwritten and Drawings」 Customize brush presets including color, transparency, tip size. Full-screen drawing, freely annotated documents that are not limited by the edges of the document. Smart Shapes: Hold a stylus or fingertip after drawing a graphic on the screen, intelligently recognize and generate the perfect shape. 「Create Table」 Easy create forms. Add row, add column, move row, move column. Tables can be linked to mind maps. 「Import and Export」 Imported document formats: PDF, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Pages, Keynote, Numbers, etc. Expand all pages of the document to easily read and highlight all the content. Select text in the document to copy. Export PDF, export image, and BigPaper format. WYSIWYG, everything can be displayed in the exported document. 「Reading Mode」 Customize the "scrolling direction" to realize the classic reading mode. 「Screenshot Mode - Quickly capture key points」 In screenshot mode, you can continuously select areas to take screenshots, these screenshots will be added to the canvas immediately, and can continue to be edited and added to the mind map. 「Stickers, Paper Templates」 The themes of stickers include weather, three-dimensional geometry, music, etc., saving creation time and improving note-taking efficiency. Use stickers and paper stencils in combination to create beautiful manuscripts. 「Multiple Selection Tool - Efficient Editing」 You can freely select an area on the canvas using the multi-selection tool. The selected content as a whole can be resized, rotated, moved, deleted, and exported.Draw borders to take screenshots freely. 「Manage files with folders」 You can create folders to manage files. Easy personalization includes folder editing, file moving, sticking to the top, and more. 「iCloud Sync」 Continue to create notes on different devices and capture inspiration anytime, anywhere. 「Scan」 Scan documents, OCR text recognition(Available in English, Chinese, French, Italian, German, Portuguese and Spanish.) 「Search and Jump Locations」 Search for handwriting, text, text in documents. Also: OCR text recognition results of scanned documents and recognition of text in pictures. Contact us and send feedback: bp_10happy@hotmail.com

About

Downward

Features
Read full description

Downward is a minimal Markdown editor for iPhone, built for focused writing, simple file browsing and a cleaner way to work with Markdown. Browse and edit Markdown files stored locally on your device or in iCloud, without locking your writing into a complicated workspace. Downward keeps your files accessible while giving you a calm, customisable editor for notes, drafts, documentation, journals, writing projects and everyday text editing. The editor is designed to feel simple and quiet. You can work with Markdown syntax visible, or hide formatting characters for a cleaner, more minimal writing experience. This lets you keep the flexibility of Markdown while enjoying an editor that feels closer to a plain, distraction-free writing space. Key features: • Browse local files on your device • Open and edit files stored in iCloud • Minimal Markdown editing for iPhone • Tap to toggle tasks • Long press to quickly copy text from code blocks • Option to hide Markdown syntax for a cleaner look • Custom themes to personalise the editor • Font choices for a writing experience that feels right • Simple interface designed around focus and readability • Great for notes, drafts, documentation, journals and plain text workflows Downward is made for people who like simple tools, portable files and a writing environment that does not get in the way. Supporter Upgrade Downward also includes an optional supporter upgrade. Supporters unlock extra themes, the ability to import and export custom themes, and the option to import their own fonts. Your support helps keep Downward independent, maintained and improving over time. SUPPORT INFORMATION Our Terms and Conditions: https://secondvictor.com/public/projects/downward/downward-terms.html Our Privacy Policy: https://secondvictor.com/public/projects/downward/downward-policy.html EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

BigPaper3 screens
Downward4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Downward at daily against BigPaper's every 5 days. BigPaper's advantage is iOS requirement (16.0 vs 26.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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. BigPaper sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Downward sells 5 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

BigPaper ships an update every 5 days, Downward daily. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
BigPaper versus Downward: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBigPaperDownward
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (20 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews26.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings20 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 daysDaily — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS16.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size253 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer10happy Technology Development(Dalian) Co.,Ltd.Second Victor

In-app purchases

1 purchases

BigPaper

One-time1
  • BigPaper - Full Version Unlock$8.99
5 purchases

Downward

One-time5
  • Small Coffee$0.99
  • Large Coffee$2.99
  • Supporter$3.99
Show 2 more
  • Lunch$4.99
  • Dinner$9.99

Questions

Is BigPaper free?
BigPaper is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Downward free?
Downward is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do BigPaper or Downward have ads?
Neither BigPaper nor Downward shows ads.
Which is updated more often, BigPaper or Downward?
BigPaper ships an update every 5 days, and Downward daily. Most recently, BigPaper was updated on October 24, 2026 and Downward on October 28, 2026.

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