# SecStream VPN vs BoardNotes

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.

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.

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.

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

## The numbers

| Metric | SecStream VPN | BoardNotes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (199 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/secstream-vpn/id1667555580/reviews) | [4.7 (115 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/boardnotes-notes-pdf-docs/id6448847544/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **199** | 115 |
| Positive reviews | 60.0% of reviews | **81.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | **Every 10 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 73 MB | 339 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Busk (PTS) Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1667555582) | [Chongqing Ouluowa Technology Co., Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1686544790) |

## What reviewers say

### SecStream VPN

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/secstream-vpn/id1667555580)

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

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1 Week PRO | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Pro | $8.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Subscription | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium | $9.99 | per month |
| Weekly PRO | $12.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly Subscription | $19.99 | per month |
| Premium | $29.99 | per year |
| Annual Subscription | $44.99 | per year |


### 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 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*