# Save2PDF vs Penbook

The clearest difference is price: Penbook at Free against Save2PDF's $4.99. Penbook also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs every 4 months) and ratings volume (46K vs 66). Save2PDF's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 22) and review sentiment (68% vs 58%). On ads there is nothing between them.

Penbook is free to download; Save2PDF costs $4.99 up front. Penbook sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Save2PDF asks for nothing beyond the download.

Penbook holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Penbook has 46K ratings behind it against 66, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 68% of Save2PDF's written reviews are positive against 58% of Penbook's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Save2PDF ships an update every 4 months, Penbook every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Save2PDF | Penbook |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $4.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [4.2 (66 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/save2pdf/id399758218/reviews) | **[4.5 (46K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/penbook-paper-planner-and-notes/id1473064295/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 66 | **46K** |
| Positive reviews | **67.7% of reviews** | 57.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 5 days** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 49 MB | 143 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 18.1 |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad, Vision Pro** |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [EuroSmartz Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/299105918) | [Pencil Research](https://appshunter.io/developer/1473063859) |

## What reviewers say

### Save2PDF

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/save2pdf/id399758218)

Easily create professional PDFs directly on your iPad from various file formats like Word, Excel, Photos, and web pages. Merge multiple documents or select specific pages to build custom PDFs. Seamlessly integrate with other apps for quick conversion.

**Highlights:** Convert Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Photos, Web Pages, and more to PDF, Merge multiple files into a single PDF, Select specific pages from files for new PDFs, Import files from other apps via 'Open in...', Email and print PDFs directly from the app, Supports iCloud integration

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Efficient PDF conversion
- 👍 Customizable PDF settings
- 💡 Useful for work and personal use
- 🔒 Secure file handling
- 🌐 Integrates with cloud storage

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes and bugs
- 🤔 Unintuitive user interface
- 🔄 Formatting issues with some file types
- 🕰️ Slow performance at times
- 🔒 Concerns about security and privacy

**Reported bugs**

- Compatibility issues with iOS updates
- Memory errors and data loss
- Inconsistent PDF formatting
- Unreliable cloud sync and sharing

**Requested features**

- Improved integration with other apps
- Ability to annotate and edit PDFs
- Support for more file formats
- Wireless printing functionality
- Streamlined file management


### Penbook

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/penbook-paper-planner-and-notes/id1473064295)

Create custom digital notebooks with a vast library of stationery or import your own PDFs for annotation. Write naturally with a stylus and organize your notes with dynamic features like live planners and searchable handwriting.

**Highlights:** Live Paper dynamic stationery, Over 400 stationery types, Import and annotate PDFs, Natural handwriting with stylus, Searchable handwritten notes, Shape recognition, Customizable notebook covers

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, iPhone Duo support

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Penbook Premium | $4.99 | per month |
| Penbook Premium | $7.99 | per month |
| Penbook Premium | $14.99 | per year |
| Penbook Premium | $19.99 | per year |
| Penbook Premium | $29.99 | per year |
| Penbook Premium | $29.99 | per year |
| Penbook Premium | $39.99 | per year |
| Premium Lifetime (Loyalty) | $29.99 | one-time |
| Penbook Premium Lifetime | $49.99 | one-time |
| Penbook Premium Lifetime | $59.99 | one-time |
| Penbook Premium Lifetime | $69.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Intuitive and user-friendly interface
- 🎨 Variety of customization options for notebooks
- 📝 Smooth writing experience with Apple Pencil
- 🗓️ Useful calendar integration
- 💡 Innovative features like washi tape and stickers

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes and data loss issues
- 🔒 Lack of password protection or locking feature
- 🔧 Glitchy zooming and ruler functionality
- 🧭 Poor notebook and page management
- 💰 Restrictive free version, expensive subscription

**Reported bugs**

- Sticker resizing issues causing app freezes
- Ruler placement and alignment problems
- Inconsistent behavior when switching between pages
- Calendar sync not working as expected
- PDF import and annotation functionality not reliable

**Requested features**

- Allow custom notebook covers or images
- Add text box and typing capabilities
- Improve organization with folders or tags
- Provide more customization options for templates
- Implement a more intuitive undo/redo system


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Save2PDF free?

Save2PDF costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Penbook free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Save2PDF or Penbook?

Penbook is rated higher. Save2PDF averages 4.2 out of 5 from 66 ratings, while Penbook averages 4.5 from 46K ratings.

### Do Save2PDF or Penbook have ads?

Neither Save2PDF nor Penbook shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Save2PDF or Penbook?

Save2PDF ships an update every 4 months, and Penbook every 5 days. Most recently, Save2PDF was updated on October 22, 2026 and Penbook on October 31, 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.*