Comparison

ZoomNotes vs Cardflow+ by Qrayon

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

Head to head
About

ZoomNotes

This comprehensive visual note-taking app offers extensive zoom capabilities for creating handwritten notes and sketches on various digital surfaces. It supports PDF annotation, digital planning with calendar integration, and advanced features like sub-pages and bookmarks for organized visual files.

Highlights
  • Extensive zoom range for notes and sketches
  • Write over PDF and Office documents
  • Digital planner creation and calendar integration
  • Sub-pages for hierarchical organization
  • Bookmarks with presentation playback
  • Handwriting recognition for search
  • Layers for content control
Features
Read full description

ZoomNotes is the most comprehensive visual note-taking app with huge zoom range. Make handwritten notes and sketches on virtual paper, huge WhiteBoards , PDF files, images and MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents (via GoogleDrive). Sync your documents between your iPad and iPhone with iCloud. ZoomNotes is compatible with any capacitive stylus pen and also with the top electronic pens on the market including the fabulous Apple Pencil. ZoomNotes Desktop for Mac now also available. Features include: MULTIPLE PEN TYPES There are 8 pen types to choose from including gel, nib, pencil and watercolour each with unlimited line thicknesses. HANDWRITING RECOGNITION Search handwritten notes. DIGITAL PLANNING Either import a planner pdf or use the ‘Custom digital planner’ option to create your own. You can configure a planner to show events and reminders from the Calendar and Reminder apps. SUB-PAGES This unique feature allows you to use ‘pages within pages’. This allows you to use sticky-notes and enables the creation of hierarchical visual files. You can also insert whole pdf files as sub-pages, or import pages from other ZoomNotes documents into a sub-page. BOOKMARKS Bookmarks allow you save views in your documents, and then return to them at a later date. There are animated playback facilities to allow you to present with or to create videos from your document. LINKS Add links between pages, and even between documents. This lets you create your own digital planners, enhance imported pdf planners or create indices. SPLIT_SCREEN Edit and view two documents side by side (or above and below). You can now also have 2 views of the same document. CALENDAR EVENTS Add events/reminders linked to your documents, possibly with alarms. The URL in the event links back to the document in ZoomNotes. HUGE ZOOM RANGE, WHITEBOARD MODE Zoom in and out without arbitrary limits including rotated views. LAYERS Layers let you control what is visible on a page, also options for 'master layers' which show on all pages. WRITE OVER PDF FILES Import and write over PDFs, Microsoft Office files Word, Excel and PowerPoint (via GoogleDrive). UNLIMITED PAPER SIZES AND STYLES Make your page as small or as large as you like. Choose any type of paper with our configurable paper types. FULLY EDITABLE In ZoomNotes, you can select, scale, rotate, shift and flip (mirror) objects. Cut, copy and paste are also available, including between documents, pages and other apps. SHAPES AND ARROWS Regular shapes and arrows (ideal for visual mapping); they can be drawn with the polygon tool or roughly drawn by hand and automatically converted into the exact geometric shape. SYMBOL LIBRARY Fully configurable library of reusable shapes and images. IMAGES AND IMAGE EDITING Insert images (photos) in your documents at any size and scale. Crop, mask, re-sample, edit transparency, scan-correct and deform images. Insert images and videos from camera or photo library. TYPED TEXT Enter typed text via keyboard; with a wide range of fonts and font sizes, font colours, fills and borders. Text can be entered at all zoom scales and can be selected and moved, scaled and rotated. RECORD AND PLAYBACK SOUNDS Including import and export of mp3 files. You can also insert a sound recording on the page to which it relates. Now linked to drawing. SHARE DOCUMENTS Share documents as PDF files, images, videos or ZoomNotes documents (via email, iTunes, clipboard, Dropbox, Twitter and Evernote, Airdrop, iCloud Drive and Open in. USE FOR PRESENTATIONS ZoomNotes is VGA compatible for use with projectors, monitors and AirPlay. MAGNIFICATION WINDOW Write into a zoomed in view whilst still viewing the zoomed out view. There are lots more details including videos or the app in action at www.zoom-notes.com. We respond to every email sent to support@zoom-notes.com

About

Cardflow+ by Qrayon

This app digitizes the tactile experience of using index cards on an iPad. It allows users to brainstorm, plan projects, and organize ideas with a flexible, freeform layout. Capture thoughts with writing, drawing, or photos, and arrange them on a digital board.

Highlights
  • Digital index card creation
  • Freeform layout and organization
  • Inkflow vector ink system
  • Typing with various fonts
  • Photo import for backgrounds
  • Project planning and storyboarding
Features
Read full description

We love index cards. We use them a lot. They are a versatile and surprisingly powerful tool for all kinds of tasks. From brainstorming to storyboards, to planning entire projects, they have a place in your workflow. Cardflow captures the ease and flexibility of paper index cards and brings that experience to the iPad. Rather than impose a rigid structure up front, Cardflow allows you to lay things out however you like, and organize them in the way that makes sense to you. Jot down ideas or sketch diagrams on cards and arrange them on a large board. Write and draw using the buttery smooth Inkflow vector ink system, or type in a variety of fonts. You can even snap photos of actual cards to use as a background. Turbocharge your workflow today! Whether you are drafting story boards for a movie, laying out the plot and characters for your novel, or learning a new language, Cardflow has a place in your toolbox. Have all the fun of using index cards, without the forest-pulping guilt of paper. EDUCATORS: Cardflow+ qualifies for Apple's Volume Purchase Program. Purchase it in quantities of 20 or more at a discount from Apple's VPP site. HOW TO TRANSFER FILES FROM CARDFLOW Cardflow+ is installed as a separate App. To transfer a file from Cardflow to Cardflow+: 1. Tap on the file name in the Cardflow Gallery. 2. Tap "Transfer" in the context menu. 3. Select Cardflow+ from the list of Apps. Cardflow is perfect for: + Storyboards for videos or movies + Studying for an exam + Learning a new language + Writing the plot for a novel or book + Organizing weddings, parties, and other events + Corporate training + Project management + Agile, Scrum, and other methodologies + Group brainstorming + Writing your daily goals and to-dos + And much more! CREATIVE TOOLS FOR THE ULTIMATE CREATIVITY DEVICE We strongly believe that the iPad is not just a consumption device; It's a creativity device. Thanks for supporting us in our journey of building Creative Apps like Cardflow. We hope you enjoy using it! -- The App Makers @ Qrayon

Screenshots

ZoomNotes4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: ZoomNotes at $7.99 against Cardflow+ by Qrayon's $14.99. ZoomNotes also leads on review sentiment (84% vs 69%) and device support (3 vs 1). Cardflow+ by Qrayon's advantage is update cadence (every 6 days vs every 3 weeks). On rating, 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

ZoomNotes costs $7.99 and Cardflow+ by Qrayon $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for ZoomNotes against 4.6 for Cardflow+ by Qrayon. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 907 and 1.5K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 84% of ZoomNotes's written reviews are positive against 69% of Cardflow+ by Qrayon's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ZoomNotes ships an update every 3 weeks, Cardflow+ by Qrayon every 6 days. Both last shipped on September 23, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
ZoomNotes versus Cardflow+ by Qrayon: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterZoomNotesCardflow+ by Qrayon
Price$7.99 — better$14.99
Rating4.5 (907 ratings)4.6 (1.5K ratings) — better
Positive reviews84.3% of reviews — better69.4% of reviews
Number of ratings9071.5K — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 6 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size149 MB16 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperDeliverance Software LtdQrayon, LLC

Customer experience

ZoomNotes

All ratings907 ratings
Positive88.8%
Neutral4.1%
Negative7.2%
Written reviews324 reviews
Positive84.3%
Neutral5.9%
Negative9.9%

Cardflow+ by Qrayon

All ratings1,470 ratings
Positive90.1%
Neutral4.6%
Negative5.3%
Written reviews255 reviews
Positive69.4%
Neutral11.8%
Negative18.8%

User reviews

ZoomNotes

From 907 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Powerful features
  • 👍 Customizable interface
  • 🖋 Smooth handwriting
  • 🗓 Calendar integration
  • 🔗 Linking capabilities

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes and bugs
  • 📚 Steep learning curve
  • 🖥 Outdated user interface
  • 🔍 Cluttered menus
  • 🔀 Inconsistent page navigation

Cardflow+ by Qrayon

From 1.5K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Smooth and responsive
  • 🖋️ Great for handwriting and drawing
  • 📚 Useful for organizing thoughts and ideas
  • 🎨 Flexible color and formatting options
  • 🔗 Ability to link cards

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and freezes
  • 🖌️ Palm rejection issues when writing
  • 🔍 Lack of search/handwriting recognition
  • 📁 Limited organizational features (no folders)
  • 🔢 Inability to resize or customize card sizes

Bugs and requests

ZoomNotes

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Randomly deleted text and input
  • Syncing issues with cloud storage
  • Unstable performance after updates
  • Compatibility problems with newer devices

Requested features

6 requests
  • Handwriting to text conversion
  • Improved page management
  • Smoother page transitions
  • Customizable keyboard shortcuts
  • Better integration with cloud services
Show 1 more
  • Streamlined UI design

Cardflow+ by Qrayon

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Cards randomly losing content
  • Exporting issues with images and links
  • Inconsistent behavior when flipping cards

Requested features

6 requests
  • Add a study/quiz mode for flashcards
  • Improve syncing and cloud integration
  • Allow multiple images per card
  • Provide more customization options for text and formatting
  • Implement a highlighter tool separate from the pen
Show 1 more
  • Add the ability to lock or protect boards

In-app purchases

None

ZoomNotes

No in-app purchases

None

Cardflow+ by Qrayon

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ZoomNotes free?
ZoomNotes costs $7.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Cardflow+ by Qrayon free?
Cardflow+ by Qrayon costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, ZoomNotes or Cardflow+ by Qrayon?
Cardflow+ by Qrayon is rated higher. ZoomNotes averages 4.5 out of 5 from 907 ratings, while Cardflow+ by Qrayon averages 4.6 from 1.5K ratings.
Do ZoomNotes or Cardflow+ by Qrayon have ads?
Neither ZoomNotes nor Cardflow+ by Qrayon shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ZoomNotes or Cardflow+ by Qrayon?
ZoomNotes ships an update every 3 weeks, and Cardflow+ by Qrayon every 6 days. Most recently, ZoomNotes was updated on September 23, 2026 and Cardflow+ by Qrayon on September 23, 2026.

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