# pdf vs Note X

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.

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.

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | pdf | Note X |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.3 (22 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-notes-for-ipad-ads/id391487223/reviews) | **[4.6 (23 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/note-x-notepad/id1673667097/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 22 | **23** |
| Positive reviews | 68.3% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 10 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 141 MB | 30 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **14.0** |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [AMuseTec Co., Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/342152781) | [受杰 柯](https://appshunter.io/developer/1634142370) |

## What reviewers say

### pdf

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-notes-for-ipad-ads/id391487223)

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 2-Month Pass | $0.99 | one-time |
| 1-Year Pass | $4.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime License | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Intuitive and easy to use
- 🚀 Fast and responsive
- 💡 Great annotation tools
- 🔒 Secure and reliable
- 📚 Excellent for students and academics

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes and stability issues
- 💸 Expensive paid version
- 📤 Difficulty exporting annotated PDFs
- 🔍 Lack of search functionality
- 🖍️ Inconsistent behavior of highlighting and erasing

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

- 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

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/note-x-notepad/id1673667097)

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:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Plus Version | $1.99 | per month |
| Plus Version Quarterly | $3.99 | per 3 months |
| Pro Version | $6.99 | one-time |


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