Comparison

pdf vs Note X

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

Head to head
About

pdf

Manage and annotate PDF files on your iPad with fast page turning and intuitive finger-writing. Easily import PDFs, organize them into bookshelves, and export annotated versions via email. Features include zoom, cropping, and multiple pen options.

Highlights
  • Fast page turning and scanning
  • Intuitive finger-writing and annotation
  • Easy PDF import via Dropbox, Email, iTunes
  • Categorized bookshelves with search
  • Export annotated PDFs via email
  • Pinch zoom and crop page margins
Read full description

[notice] pdf-notes for iPad (ads) involves advertisements. Paid version is available at http://itunes.apple.com/app/id4172008446 Utilize pdf-notes to manage all the pdf files on your iPad. Fast display, quick page-turning even a thousand pages, useful finger-writing and email your notes to your friends. Differentiation-1. While turning pages of paperbooks fast, you can glance over the pages. While turning pages of pdf-notes fast, you can still run over the contents. Speedy page turning and scanning the contents with pdf-notes or paperbooks. Differentiation-2. There are many pdf readers allow you to annotate; but do you know which app allows you can write any notes in a second? If you are using pdf-notes, you may experience very fast and intuitive finger-writing like: zoom-in and note by double-tap or; writing with one finger, page-turning with two fingers, pen-changing with three fingers. - Easy importing PDF files through (DropBox, Email or Safari's) "Open In..." or iTunes - Categorized multiple bookshelves(booklists) with powerful search - Displaying pages as optimized size 1024x768 of iPad - Portrait and landscape view - Pinch zoom and crop page-margins - Fast loading and Speedy page-turning - Finger-writing with a variety of pens, highlighters and text notes - Easy "zoom-in and note" on a magnified screen by a double tap - One-step page-turning using 2 fingers on editing mode - One-step pen-changing or undo/redo using 3 fingers on editing mode - Exporting annotated PDF files to Email - External display and screen brightness controls - AirPrint and multi-tasking Misunderstandings about pdf-notes: - Not only pdf-notes but every app recently updated is removed from the open-in menu because iOS5 or formers currently show only 10 apps in open-in menu. - iPad/iphone Mail/iBooks can't display PDF annotations so that please open it in the other pdf apps. - please visit the support site for more information http://bit.ly/f6D31P Blog http://pdf-notes.com Email musebook@musebook.com Twitter http://twitter.com/musebook4u YouTube http://youtu.be/4AyRyFq9yxg NOTE: All content contained herein is subject to change without notice.

About

Note X

A versatile note-taking app for digital and handwritten notes, memos, and drafts. Organize study materials with built-in notebooks, insert images, and customize writing styles. Secure your notes with password protection.

Highlights
  • Keyboard and handwriting input
  • Built-in notebooks for organization
  • Insert pictures into notes
  • Customizable paper and font colors
  • Password protection and encryption
  • Share notes as images
Features
Read full description

Note X is a super practical note-taking app and notebook, where you can realize paperless learning and easily complete take notes, handwritten notes, memos and unlimited drafts to help you record your life and study. [Function Introduction] -It also supports keyboard input and handwriting input, making notes more flexible and convenient. -Built-in different notebooks help you sort out your study notes. -It supports inserting pictures into notes, making notes more efficient. -You can choose a variety of writing paper and font colors to meet your different needs. -Support the use of iPad and Apple Pencil to improve your use efficiency. -One-click to generate pictures and share your notes inspiration with friends. -Set a password for your notes and encrypt your notes. This subscription will be automatically renewed through your iTunes account, and the renewal fee will be deducted according to your package within 24 hours before the end of the current subscription period. You can manage or cancel the automatic renewal at the Account Settings Department. To cancel the automatic renewal, you must at least 24 hours before the end of the current subscription period. If your trial has not ended, the remaining days will automatically expire after you start subscribing. To open the subscription, you need to agree to the following terms: Terms of Service: https://keshoujie.github.io/posts/keshoujie/fuwu Privacy terms: https://keshoujie.github.io/posts/keshoujie/privacy

Screenshots

Note X4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Note X at 4.6 against pdf's 3.3. Note X also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (14.0 vs 16.0). pdf's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 10 months). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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. pdf sells 3 one-off in-app purchases and Note X sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Note X holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 22 and 23 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

pdf ships an update every 3 weeks, Note X every 10 months. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and September 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
pdf versus Note X: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterpdfNote X
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.3 (22 ratings)4.6 (23 ratings) — better
Positive reviews68.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings2223 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 10 months
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.014.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size141 MB30 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAMuseTec Co., Ltd.受杰 柯

Customer experience

pdf

All ratings21 ratings
Positive57.1%
Neutral4.8%
Negative38.1%
Written reviews293 reviews
Positive68.3%
Neutral9.9%
Negative21.8%

Note X

All ratings23 ratings
Positive87.0%
Neutral4.3%
Negative8.7%

Bugs and requests

pdf

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Annotated PDFs losing data during export
  • Crashes after recent app updates
  • Inconsistent behavior when switching between apps
  • Incorrect page numbering and navigation

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add text typing and editing capabilities
  • Implement a table of contents feature
  • Improve integration with cloud storage services
  • Allow custom organization of PDF files
  • Enhance the note-taking experience

Note X

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

3 purchases

pdf

One-time3
  • 2-Month Pass$0.99
  • 1-Year Pass$4.99
  • Lifetime License$9.99
3 purchases

Note X

Subscriptions2
  • Plus Version3 Days trial$1.991 Month
  • Plus Version Quarterly3 Days trial$3.993 Months
One-time1
  • Pro Version$6.99

Questions

Is pdf free?
pdf is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Note X free?
Note X is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, pdf or Note X?
Note X is rated higher. pdf averages 3.3 out of 5 from 22 ratings, while Note X averages 4.6 from 23 ratings.
Do pdf or Note X have ads?
Both pdf and Note X show ads.
Which is updated more often, pdf or Note X?
pdf ships an update every 3 weeks, and Note X every 10 months. Most recently, pdf was updated on October 10, 2026 and Note X on September 16, 2026.

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