Comparison

SecStream VPN vs BoardNotes

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

Head to head
About

SecStream VPN

Secure your online activity and browse with confidence. This application offers advanced protection through cutting-edge encryption, ensuring your data remains private from prying eyes. Connect to premium servers for fast, reliable, and secure internet access anywhere.

Highlights
  • Online privacy solution
  • Cutting-edge encryption
  • Premium server access
  • Fast and secure internet
  • Browse with confidence
Read full description

SecStream VPN – Your Ultimate Online Privacy Solution Introducing SecStream VPN – the ultimate solution for securing your online privacy and freedom. With our app, you can browse the internet with complete peace of mind, knowing that your data is protected from prying eyes. Advanced Protection with Premium Access Our VPN app uses cutting-edge encryption technology to keep your data safe. With just a few taps, you can connect to our premium servers* and enjoy fast, reliable, and secure internet access. Whether you're at home or on the go, SecStream VPN has you covered. Full VPN access requires a paid subscription. Free trial available. Download now and browse the internet with confidence!

About

BoardNotes

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
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

SecStream VPN4 screens
BoardNotes4 screens

Verdict

The call

SecStream VPN and BoardNotes both sit at 4.7 stars, but that hides the real split: 81% of BoardNotes's written reviews are positive against 60% of SecStream VPN's. BoardNotes also leads on device support (4 vs 2). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence 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. SecStream VPN sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days and BoardNotes sells 23 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for SecStream VPN against 4.7 for BoardNotes. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 199 and 115 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 60% of SecStream VPN's written reviews are positive against 81% of BoardNotes's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SecStream VPN ships an update fortnightly, BoardNotes every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on September 15, 2026 and September 27, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
SecStream VPN versus BoardNotes: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSecStream VPNBoardNotes
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (199 ratings)4.7 (115 ratings)
Positive reviews60.0% of reviews81.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings199 — better115
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 10 days — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size73 MB339 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBusk (PTS) LimitedChongqing Ouluowa Technology Co., Ltd.

Customer experience

SecStream VPN

All ratings199 ratings
Positive93.0%
Neutral2.0%
Negative5.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive60.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative40.0%

BoardNotes

All ratings115 ratings
Positive94.8%
Neutral1.7%
Negative3.5%
Written reviews42 reviews
Positive81.0%
Neutral4.8%
Negative14.3%

Bugs and requests

SecStream VPN

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

8 purchases

SecStream VPN

Subscriptions8
  • 1 Week PRO3 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • Pro3 Days trial$8.997 Days
  • Weekly Subscription3 Days trial$9.997 Days
Show 5 more
  • Premium3 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Weekly PRO3 Days trial$12.997 Days
  • Monthly Subscription3 Days trial$19.991 Month
  • Premium3 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Annual Subscription3 Days trial$44.991 Year
23 purchases

BoardNotes

One-time23
  • 7 days membership$0.99
  • 5 days membership$0.99
  • Math Formula Recognition$1.99
Show 20 more
  • 1 month membership$1.99
  • Annual Membership$3.99
  • Permanent Unlock All$3.99
  • 6 months membership$3.99
  • 6 months membership (discount)$3.99
  • Permanent Unlock All$4.99
  • Annual Membership$4.99
  • 6 months membership2 variants$4.99
  • Full version Unlock$5.99
  • Annual Membership (discount)$5.99
  • 6 months membership$6.99
  • Permanent Unlock All$6.99
  • Annual Membership2 variants$6.99
  • Spring Festival Discount$6.99
  • Annual Membership$7.99
  • Permanent Unlock All$7.99
  • Permanent Unlock All(discount)$7.99
  • Permanent Unlock All$8.99
  • Permanent Unlock All$9.99
  • Permanent Unlock All$19.99

Questions

Is SecStream VPN free?
SecStream VPN 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, SecStream VPN or BoardNotes?
SecStream VPN and BoardNotes are both rated 4.7 out of 5 on the App Store, from 199 and 115 ratings respectively.
Do SecStream VPN or BoardNotes have ads?
Both SecStream VPN and BoardNotes show ads.
Which is updated more often, SecStream VPN or BoardNotes?
SecStream VPN ships an update fortnightly, and BoardNotes every 10 days. Most recently, SecStream VPN was updated on September 15, 2026 and BoardNotes on September 27, 2026.

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