# Reader's Bench vs Notestudio

The clearest difference is rating: Notestudio at 5.0 against Reader's Bench's 3.0. Notestudio also leads on ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (20 vs 3). Reader's Bench's advantage is review sentiment (100% vs 91%). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Reader's Bench sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month and Notestudio sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Notestudio holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Notestudio has 20 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 100% of Reader's Bench's written reviews are positive against 91% of Notestudio's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Reader's Bench ships an update every 6 days, Notestudio every 10 days. Both last shipped on October 25, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Reader's Bench | Notestudio |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/readers-bench/id1671846175/reviews) | **[5.0 (20 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/notestudio-note-taking-pdf/id6737322636/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 3 | **20** |
| Positive reviews | **100.0% of reviews** | 90.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 days** | Every 10 days |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 10 MB | 35 MB |
| Requires iOS | **17.0** | 17.5 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, Mac** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Rohmiapps Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/982578674) | [Lucky Clan](https://appshunter.io/developer/294866851) |

## What reviewers say

### Reader's Bench

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/readers-bench/id1671846175)

This app is a PDF reader and markup tool designed for serious study and research. It allows users to read, annotate, take notes, and review highlighted content from PDF documents with efficient performance and a distraction-free interface.

**Highlights:** PDF reading and markup, Handwriting and typed notes, Annotation extraction for review, Highlight, underline, strikethrough, Image capture and insertion, Export notes and annotated PDFs, Word definition and sentence translation

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

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Reader's Bench Subscription | $0.99 | per month |
| Pro Monthly | $1.99 | per month |
| Pro Yearly | $17.99 | per year |
| Pro Lifetime | $69.99 | one-time |


### Notestudio

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/notestudio-note-taking-pdf/id6737322636)

Capture, organize, and create notes with a blend of analog feel and digital power. Annotate PDFs, add media, and export in various formats. Offers advanced drawing tools and a customizable interface for focused work.

**Highlights:** Multi-page note creation, PDF markup and annotation, Flexible note sizes and paper styles, Organize with custom folders, Export to PDF, PNG, HEIC, JPEG, Low-latency drawing with sensitivity, Customizable workspace

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Yearly Subscription | $1.99 | per year |
| Lifetime License | $9.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Reader's Bench free?

Reader's Bench is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Notestudio free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Reader's Bench or Notestudio?

Notestudio is rated higher. Reader's Bench averages 3.0 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while Notestudio averages 5.0 from 20 ratings.

### Do Reader's Bench or Notestudio have ads?

Reader's Bench shows ads; Notestudio does not.

### Which is updated more often, Reader's Bench or Notestudio?

Reader's Bench ships an update every 6 days, and Notestudio every 10 days. Most recently, Reader's Bench was updated on October 25, 2026 and Notestudio on October 25, 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.*