Comparison

Foxit PDF Editor vs Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup

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

Head to head
About

Foxit PDF Editor

Edit, view, and annotate PDF files on the go with this comprehensive mobile editor. It offers advanced features like AI assistance, OCR, and conversion tools, all while maintaining robust security and collaboration capabilities.

Highlights
  • AI Assistant for workflow automation and translation
  • View, edit, and annotate PDF files
  • Convert PDFs to various formats
  • Create PDFs from scratch or other files
  • Sign and protect PDF documents
  • Collaborate and share files
  • Optical Character Recognition (OCR)
Features
Read full description

Looking for a versatile PDF editor that you can use anytime, anywhere? Look no further than Foxit PDF Editor mobile app. This easy-to-use PDF editor – trusted by hundreds of millions – allows you to view, edit, and annotate PDF files on iOS devices while on the go. The app also offers advanced subscription-based features, including our AI Assistant, optical character recognition (OCR), handwritten notes conversion, and more. Discover the capabilities of Foxit PDF Editor: • Reliable: 100% compliant with your current PDF ecosystem. • Efficient: Let our AI Assistant do the work for you. • Lightweight: Doesn’t exhaust your device resources. • Fast: Instant access to PDFs with no delays. • Secure: Robust file protection features to safeguard sensitive information. • Collaborative: Maintain full control of your content while working with others.. • Supportive: Access 24/7 customer service via support chat. • Multi-Language: Support for 12 languages for global usability. What Foxit PDF Editor can offer to you: AI Assistant • Agent-based conversation to ask and receive real-time responses • Automate workflows with built-in and custom skills • AI-powered image/chart generation • Translate the text • Auto-create bookmarks • Read documents aloud intelligently View and manage PDF files • Reflow PDF files for easy viewing • Convert scanned text and handwritten notes into digital text* • Easy document navigation with bookmark management features • Search for text within your PDF document • Supports tabbed document interface (for iPad only) • Supports to read the PDF out loud • Rename, move, copy, or delete PDF file(s) Collaborate and share PDF files • Add annotations and stamps to PDF files • Share PDF files and screenshots from within the application • Share multiple files across your desktop and iOS device via Wi-Fi • Save, synchronize, and access PDF files in popular cloud services (Google Drive, OneDrive, etc.) Create and convert PDFs • Create blank PDFs from scratch* • Create PDFs from Microsoft Office, image, text, and HTML files* • Scan and convert paper documents to PDFs (available on iPad 3, iPhone 5, and newer generation products) • Convert PDFs to Microsoft Office, image, text, or HTML files* • Combine PDFs to create a new PDF* Edit PDF files • Insert audios, videos, or hyperlinks to PDFs* • Add/edit text and image objects in PDFs* • Edit document properties* • Optimize PDF documents* • Reorganize PDF pages (Add*, delete, rotate, or extract* pages) Work on PDF forms • Fill out and save PDF forms • Import and export form data • Submit PDF forms via HTTP, FTP, or Email • Work on XFA forms* Sign and protect PDFs • Add handwritten signatures to PDFs • Sign PDF documents with an existing digital certificate* • Protect PDF files with password and Microsoft Information Protection* • Protect PDF information with redaction* The features marked with the asterisk (*) are advanced features based on subscription through in-app purchase. To activate the advanced features, you should create a Foxit account and subscribe to Foxit PDF Editor. After subscription, just sign in with your Foxit account and the advanced features will be available. Terms and Conditions: You must comply with the Foxit-Terms of Use and Privacy Policy (https://appstore.foxitsoftware.com/appstore/license) when using this app. Have feedback? You can contact us at the following address: https://www.foxit.com/support/ticket.html Follow Foxit on Facebook and Twitter! https://www.facebook.com/foxitsoftware https://twitter.com/foxitsoftware

About

Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup

Enhance your PDF workflow with powerful annotation and markup tools. This app offers a dynamic and intuitive experience for editing, drawing, and adding text to your documents. Access your work across multiple devices and collaborate in real-time.

Highlights
  • Dynamic PDF annotation tools
  • Cross-platform access and cloud sync
  • Real-time collaboration
  • Insert text, images, lines, and shapes
  • Convert images to PDF
  • Redact sensitive information (Pro)
  • Measurement tools (Pro)
Features
Read full description

Powerful PDF tools at your fingertips. The latest PDF technology and software for a better experience. With an intuitive UI designed for delight – there’s a better way to PDF! Do your best work with Drawboard. - Dynamic PDF tools that feel good to use - Multi-platform access and storage. Where you are, your work is. - Paperless. A way of working for a sustainable future TOOLS FOR EVERY JOB Fast, responsive, and accurate markup tools. Draw with best-in-class ink for flawless Apple Pencil hand-feel and finally replace pen and paper. CROSS-PLATFORM ACCESS ON ANY DEVICE Upload your annotated PDFs to the cloud and mark up with others in real time with instant sync. Go Pro in-app for additional storage capacity and advanced features. WORK YOUR WAY Customize your workspace by docking your favorite tools and build a toolbar that works for you! MORE - Text review markup - freehand highlighter, text highlighter, underline, strikeout, squiggly on PDF. - Insert lines and shapes - cloud tool, rectangle, ellipse, line, arrow, polygon and polyline on PDF. - Add text with a range of fonts and text styling options - Insert images and camera photos onto PDFs. - Convert JPG and PNG image files to PDF. - Write, annotate, ink and draw on PDFs. - Customize and edit annotation colors, stroke widths, and opacities. - Create new blank PDF documents of different size, color, orientation and page count. - Insert, rotate and delete PDF pages. - Open, read, mark up and save large and complex PDF documents. GET MORE WITH PRO - Redact text and sections of your PDF documents - Measure elements on your page with length and area measurement tools and smart page calibration - Add callouts, hyperlinks and audio notes to your documents - On-page ruler - measure objects on your page with the ease of using a tape measure

Screenshots

Foxit PDF Editor4 screens
Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup at 4.8 against Foxit PDF Editor's 4.5. Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup also leads on update cadence (every 11 days vs monthly). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and ads 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. Foxit PDF Editor sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month and Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4.8K and 2K respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 68% of Foxit PDF Editor's written reviews are positive against 64% of Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Foxit PDF Editor ships an update monthly, Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup every 11 days. Both last shipped on November 13, 2026.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Foxit PDF Editor versus Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFoxit PDF EditorDrawboard PDF Annotate, Markup
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (4.8K ratings)4.8 (2K ratings) — better
Positive reviews68.3% of reviews — better64.0% of reviews
Number of ratings4.8K — better2K
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 11 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details — not scored
Size324 MB98 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFOXIT SOFTWARE INCORPORATEDDrawboard Pty Ltd

Customer experience

Foxit PDF Editor

All ratings4,761 ratings
Positive87.4%
Neutral3.5%
Negative9.1%
Written reviews527 reviews
Positive68.3%
Neutral6.5%
Negative25.2%

Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup

All ratings2,015 ratings
Positive96.3%
Neutral1.7%
Negative2.0%
Written reviews317 reviews
Positive64.0%
Neutral12.6%
Negative23.3%

User reviews

Foxit PDF Editor

From 4.8K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Excellent PDF reader
  • 👍 User-friendly interface
  • 🔓 Robust annotation tools
  • 💡 Convenient cloud integration
  • 🔊 Helpful text-to-speech feature

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes and stability issues
  • 🔒 Subscription required for full functionality
  • 💰 Expensive subscription cost
  • 🖌️ Poor Apple Pencil support
  • 📂 Unreliable cloud sync

Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup

From 2K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Excellent PDF annotation tools
  • 👍 Convenient cross-platform sync
  • 🚀 Fast and responsive
  • 👍 Great for students and professionals
  • 🚀 Smooth writing experience with Apple Pencil

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes and bugs
  • 🔒 Cloud storage limitations
  • 💰 Expensive subscription model
  • 🔍 Missing search and bookmark features
  • 🔧 Inconsistent functionality between platforms

Bugs and requests

Foxit PDF Editor

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Subscription not recognized after OS update
  • Pages go blank when switching apps
  • Handwriting and text input issues
  • Inconsistent behavior when rotating device
  • Corrupted files and data loss

Requested features

5 requests
  • Allow custom highlight/text color
  • Improve page navigation and bookmarking
  • Integrate with more cloud storage providers
  • Add OCR and text extraction capabilities
  • Enhance annotation tools for better precision

Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Annotations not syncing properly between devices
  • Unexpected loss of work and unsaved changes
  • Scrolling and page navigation issues
  • Compatibility problems with certain PDF files
  • Text input box disappearing after scrolling

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add page flattening and form filling options
  • Improve eraser tool and precision
  • Implement a dark mode
  • Provide better organization and folder support
  • Add more customization options for tools and UI

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Foxit PDF Editor

Subscriptions4
  • PDF Editor - Monthly$6.991 Month
  • PDF Editor - Yearly7 Days trial$39.991 Year
  • Foxit AI Assistant - Yearly$49.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • PDF Editor+ Yearly14 Days trial$139.991 Year
8 purchases

Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup

Subscriptions6
  • Pro Lite7 Days trial$5.991 Month
  • Pro Plus7 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Pro Unlimited7 Days trial$18.991 Month
Show 3 more
  • Pro Lite7 Days trial$49.991 Year
  • Pro Plus7 Days trial$83.901 Year
  • Pro Unlimited7 Days trial$159.991 Year
One-time2
  • Pro Plus$10.00
  • Pro Unlimited$20.00

Questions

Is Foxit PDF Editor free?
Foxit PDF Editor is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup free?
Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Foxit PDF Editor or Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup?
Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup is rated higher. Foxit PDF Editor averages 4.5 out of 5 from 4.8K ratings, while Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup averages 4.8 from 2K ratings.
Do Foxit PDF Editor or Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup have ads?
Neither Foxit PDF Editor nor Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Foxit PDF Editor or Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup?
Foxit PDF Editor ships an update monthly, and Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup every 11 days. Most recently, Foxit PDF Editor was updated on November 13, 2026 and Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup on November 13, 2026.

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