# SoundNote vs Smart PDF+ Editor

SoundNote and Smart PDF+ Editor both sit at 3.8 stars, but that hides the real split: 70% of SoundNote's written reviews are positive against 5% of Smart PDF+ Editor's. SoundNote also leads on monetization model (free vs paid) and update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 4 months). Smart PDF+ Editor's advantage is ratings volume (53 vs 13) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

SoundNote costs $4.99 and Smart PDF+ Editor $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 3.8 for SoundNote against 3.8 for Smart PDF+ Editor. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 13 and 53 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 70% of SoundNote's written reviews are positive against 5% of Smart PDF+ Editor's.

SoundNote ships an update every 6 weeks, Smart PDF+ Editor every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and September 17, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SoundNote | Smart PDF+ Editor |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $4.99 | $4.99 |
| Rating | [3.8 (13 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/soundnote/id364789577/reviews) | [3.8 (53 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smart-pdf-plus-editor/id1184082898/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 13 | **53** |
| Positive reviews | **69.7% of reviews** | 5.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 weeks** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Paid |
| Size | 9 MB | 11 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [David Estes](https://appshunter.io/developer/364789580) | [Qrayon, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/354980265) |

## What reviewers say

### SoundNote

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/soundnote/id364789577)

Record audio while taking notes and drawing. Tap any word or drawing to instantly jump to that moment in the recording. Ideal for students, journalists, and professionals to capture every detail in meetings, lectures, and interviews.

**Highlights:** Synchronized audio recording and note-taking, Tap notes to jump to audio playback, Integrated drawing tools with editing, Zoom and scroll functionality for drawings, Share notes and audio via email, Transfer notes to Mac or PC

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great for recording lectures and meetings
- 👍 Ability to tap notes to jump to that part of the audio
- 📤 Easy to export notes and audio
- 🎨 Drawing capabilities
- 🎥 Good audio quality

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes and stability issues
- 🔒 Lack of password protection or security features
- 📂 No folder or organization system for notes
- 🖍️ Limited text formatting options (no bold, italic, etc.)
- 🔍 Difficulty navigating and searching through notes

**Reported bugs**

- Typing issues, such as duplicate characters or unresponsive keyboard
- Audio recording cutting out or becoming distorted
- Syncing issues between notes and audio

**Requested features**

- Folders or notebooks to organize notes
- Text formatting options (bold, italic, underline, etc.)
- Pause/rewind/fast-forward controls for audio playback
- Integration with cloud storage (Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.)
- Ability to insert images or diagrams into notes


### Smart PDF+ Editor

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smart-pdf-plus-editor/id1184082898)

This app allows users to read, sign, and annotate PDF documents, especially with stylus input. It's designed for professionals to quickly handle documents and for students to take notes on study materials. Features include a built-in file manager for organization.

**Highlights:** Ink annotations, Document signing, File organization, PDF reading, Document sharing

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SoundNote free?

SoundNote costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Smart PDF+ Editor free?

Smart PDF+ Editor costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, SoundNote or Smart PDF+ Editor?

SoundNote and Smart PDF+ Editor are both rated 3.8 out of 5 on the App Store, from 13 and 53 ratings respectively.

### Do SoundNote or Smart PDF+ Editor have ads?

Neither SoundNote nor Smart PDF+ Editor shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, SoundNote or Smart PDF+ Editor?

SoundNote ships an update every 6 weeks, and Smart PDF+ Editor every 4 months. Most recently, SoundNote was updated on September 20, 2026 and Smart PDF+ Editor on September 17, 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.*