# pdf vs Inkflow Visual Notebook

The clearest difference is rating: Inkflow Visual Notebook at 4.6 against pdf's 3.3. Inkflow Visual Notebook also leads on ratings volume (1.9K vs 23) and device support (3 vs 1). pdf's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. pdf sells 3 one-off in-app purchases and Inkflow Visual Notebook sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Inkflow Visual Notebook holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Inkflow Visual Notebook has 1.9K ratings behind it against 23, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 68% of pdf's written reviews are positive against 71% of Inkflow Visual Notebook's.

pdf ships an update every 3 weeks, Inkflow Visual Notebook every 2 months. Both last shipped on November 10, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | pdf | Inkflow Visual Notebook |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.3 (23 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-notes-for-ipad-ads/id391487223/reviews) | **[4.6 (1.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/inkflow-visual-notebook/id519524685/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 23 | **1.9K** |
| Positive reviews | 68.0% of reviews | **71.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 141 MB | 58 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **15.6** |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [AMuseTec Co., Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/342152781) | [Qrayon, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/354980265) |

## 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


### Inkflow Visual Notebook

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/inkflow-visual-notebook/id519524685)

Capture and organize ideas with a fluid digital writing experience. Sketch, jot down notes, and arrange them visually. Enhance your creativity with tools for text, photos, and custom backgrounds.

**Highlights:** Fluid digital writing and sketching, Resizing and reorganizing of content, Full resolution zoom for detail, Integration of text and photos, Export to PDF, JPEG, PNG, Basic and Plus editions with varying features

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Inkflow Plus Monthly Subscription | $1.99 | per month |
| Inkflow Plus Annual Subscription | $12.99 | per year |
| Inkflow Plus | $19.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Intuitive interface
- 💡 Great for brainstorming and sketching
- 👍 Useful for note-taking and journaling
- 👍 Versatile for various purposes (work, school, art)

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔒 Limited features in free version
- 💰 Paid upgrade is expensive for some users
- 🐛 Occasional crashes and data loss issues
- 🔒 Lack of cloud sync and cross-device access
- 🔒 Difficult to organize and manage notebooks/pages

**Reported bugs**

- Frequent crashes and data loss
- Unreliable auto-save and syncing
- Compatibility issues with newer devices/OS
- Pen/input lag and inconsistent responsiveness

**Requested features**

- Add more pen/brush options and customization
- Implement layers and advanced drawing tools
- Improve page management (insert, delete, reorder)
- Integrate cloud sync and cross-device access
- Add password protection and locking features


## Frequently asked questions

### Is pdf free?

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

### Is Inkflow Visual Notebook free?

Inkflow Visual Notebook is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, pdf or Inkflow Visual Notebook?

Inkflow Visual Notebook is rated higher. pdf averages 3.3 out of 5 from 23 ratings, while Inkflow Visual Notebook averages 4.6 from 1.9K ratings.

### Do pdf or Inkflow Visual Notebook have ads?

Both pdf and Inkflow Visual Notebook show ads.

### Which is updated more often, pdf or Inkflow Visual Notebook?

pdf ships an update every 3 weeks, and Inkflow Visual Notebook every 2 months. Most recently, pdf was updated on November 10, 2026 and Inkflow Visual Notebook on November 10, 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.*