Comparison

ZoomNotes Lite vs Ahmni

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

Head to head
About

ZoomNotes Lite

This visual note-taking app allows for handwritten notes and sketches on various documents, including PDFs and office files. Its unique zooming capability and extensive sharing options make it a versatile tool for creative and organizational tasks.

Highlights
  • Handwritten notes and sketches
  • Zoom in/out without limits
  • Annotate PDFs and office files
  • Unlimited paper sizes and colors
  • Multiple sharing options
  • Split screen mode
Features
Read full description

ZoomNotes Lite is an iPad/iPhone visual note-taking app. It lets you quickly make handwritten notes and sketches on virtual paper, on PDF files, on MS Word, Excel and Powerpoint docs (via GoogleDrive), and over images. Uniquely, it also lets you zoom in and out without arbitrary limits, an invaluable feature for this type of app. It has a free fully functioning pen (although you will be able to try the pens too), and more available as in-app purchases. It has unlimited paper sizes/styles, unlimited colours and line thicknesses, and a large range of ways to share its documents making ZoomNotes the most versatile handwriting/drawing app. ZoomNotes Desktop for Mac now also available. ZoomNotes is much more than a replacement for your trusted paper notebook! Compatible with any capacitive stylus pen (although fingers work well too). Here some reviews of the app store of the full version- The best note taking app available! ***** by MarkNance – Version 7.1.4 – Jul 6, 2016 Don’t be put off by all its features! ***** by Stevearcher – Version 7.1.3 – May 24, 2016 Most complete Note app I’ve tried ***** by ItsDartstx – Version 7.1.3 – Apr 20, 2016 Most effective note taking app ***** by John25642 – Version 7.1.3 – Jul 7, 2016 Full featured and innovative ***** by music-major – Version 7.1.3 – May 15, 2016 Hands(writing)-down, best notepad replacement out there. ***** by Jed123zz – Version 7.1.3 – Mar 23, 2016 Free features include: -1 Pen type - Felt tip. -Huge Zoom Range and Whiteboard page style -Rotatable views -Split screen mode (edit 2 documents at once) -Digital planning with links, which can also show events and reminders from the Calendar and Reminder apps -Write over PDF file -Write over MS Word, Powerpoint and Excel files (via GoogleDrive) -Calendar events/reminders :add events linked to your documents, possibly with alarms. The URL in the event links back to the document in ZoomNotes. -Typed text- limited to a single font, fills and borders -Regular shapes and arrows -Symbol library -Select, scale, rotate and shift -Cut, copy, paste (including between documents, pages and other apps) -Write over pdf files (markup) -Configurable paper types -Intuitive folder interface for documents -Sharing as PDF files, images, videos or ZoomNotes documents (via email, iTunes, clipboard, Dropbox, Twitter and Evernote) -In app printing -VGA compatible for use with projectors, monitors and AirPlay -Universal app - iPhone and iPad -iCloud support -Geo-located documents; documents can be optionally geo-located and viewed as pins on a map. -Layers let you control what is visible on a page, also options for 'master layers' which show on all pages. In app purchases features include: -7 extra Pen types, including Italic, Gel, Nib, Pencil and Watercolour. -Sub-pages (pages within pages within...) -Typed text- fully configurable fonts, colours, fills and borders -Unlimited colours and line styles -Bookmarks with animated playback -Insert images from camera or photo library -Insert web pages -Insert videos from camera or photo library -Edit inserted images, including masking and cropping -Record and playback sounds, including import and export of caf files - Handwriting recognition (14 different languages). Please note that the full version of ZoomNotes is equivalent to the Lite version with all the in-app purchases. There are lots more details including some videos of the app in action at www.zoom-notes.com Please remember to leave us a review. If you wish, you can send us feedback directly, we reply to every email sent to support@zoom-notes.com. If you experience any problems or bugs in the app, please email us your device information, which iOS version you are running to support@zoom-notes.com and we will fix it asap. Twitter - @zoomnotes

About

Ahmni

Enhance your learning with advanced study systems. Create mindmaps, deconstruct PDFs, and track your progress with spaced repetition. Utilize focus tools like Pomodoro timers and goal-setting cycles to improve self-regulation and achieve your academic or professional objectives.

Highlights
  • Infinite canvas for mind mapping
  • PDF deconstruction and excerpt integration
  • Spaced repetition for retention
  • Focus tools (Pomodoro, Flowmodoro)
  • Goal Cycle for self-regulation
  • Review, revision, and retrieval tracking
Features
Read full description

Ahmni enables advanced study systems and facilitates self-regulated, higher order learning. Develop understanding by constructing mindmaps on the canvas. Deconstruct PDFs by dragging excerpts onto the canvas. Improve retention by tracking review, revision, and retrieval spaced over time. Maintain focus with: - Focus checklist - Pomodoro timer - Flowmodoro stopwatch - Distraction sheet - Break timing calculator Self-regulate, reflect, and reach goals with the Goal Cycle, which supports Kolb's Cycles, Gibb's Cycles, and more. Website: https://www.ahmni.app Privacy Policy: https://www.ahmni.app/privacy-policy Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Support: support@ahmni.app Contact: contact@ahmni.app Ahmni has an in-app subscription: Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at the confirmation of purchase. Subscription automatically renews unless it is canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. You can manage and cancel your subscriptions by going to your account settings on the App Store after purchase.

Screenshots

ZoomNotes Lite4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Ahmni at 4.6 against ZoomNotes Lite's 4.2. Ahmni also leads on review sentiment (87% vs 72%). ZoomNotes Lite's advantage is device support (3 vs 1). On price, ratings volume, update cadence 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. ZoomNotes Lite sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and Ahmni sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Ahmni holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 214 and 250 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 72% of ZoomNotes Lite's written reviews are positive against 87% of Ahmni's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ZoomNotes Lite ships an update every 3 weeks, Ahmni fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
ZoomNotes Lite versus Ahmni: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterZoomNotes LiteAhmni
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (214 ratings)4.6 (250 ratings) — better
Positive reviews72.0% of reviews86.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings214250 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size154 MB65 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDeliverance Software LtdAhmni LLC

Customer experience

ZoomNotes Lite

All ratings214 ratings
Positive77.6%
Neutral9.8%
Negative12.6%
Written reviews329 reviews
Positive72.0%
Neutral8.5%
Negative19.5%

Ahmni

All ratings250 ratings
Positive91.2%
Neutral3.2%
Negative5.6%
Written reviews83 reviews
Positive86.7%
Neutral6.0%
Negative7.2%

User reviews

ZoomNotes Lite

From 214 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Versatile and feature-rich
  • 👍 Smooth handwriting experience
  • 💡 Powerful customization options
  • 🚀 Seamless PDF annotation
  • 👍 Reliable syncing and backup

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes and glitches
  • 👎 Confusing and outdated user interface
  • 🐛 Inconsistent pen and eraser behavior
  • 👎 Limited free version functionality

Ahmni

From 250 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Smooth writing experience
  • 👍 Intuitive and user-friendly
  • 💡 Innovative features like Kanban boards and spaced repetition
  • 🚀 Buttery smooth zooming and panning
  • 👍 Great for learning and productivity

Room to improve

  • 🔒 Subscription-only model
  • 🐛 Occasional crashes and bugs
  • 🔋 Battery drain issues
  • 🔒 Lack of one-time purchase option
  • 🔒 Partial eraser tool locked behind paywall

Bugs and requests

ZoomNotes Lite

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Syncing issues leading to document conflicts
  • Random lines and dots appearing on the page
  • Disappearing handwritten notes after saving
  • Inability to unlock paid features after purchase

Requested features

4 requests
  • Improved text editing and formatting
  • Easier organization with better folder management
  • More tutorials and documentation
  • Ability to recover accidentally deleted notes

Ahmni

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Inability to draw with fingers
  • Support issues with app crashes after system updates

Requested features

6 requests
  • Add text input and typing capabilities
  • Implement cloud sync and cross-device support
  • Introduce more pen styles and customization options
  • Add layers and better organization tools
  • Improve the focus session and goal tracking features
Show 1 more
  • Integrate web page viewing and embedding

In-app purchases

10 purchases

ZoomNotes Lite

One-time10
  • Highlighter pen$0.99
  • Text$0.99
  • Images$0.99
Show 7 more
  • Bookmarks$0.99
  • Sounds$0.99
  • Sub-documents$0.99
  • Tables$0.99
  • Workspaces$1.99
  • All Pens$2.99
  • All features$7.99
2 purchases

Ahmni

Subscriptions2
  • Ahmni Pro Monthly1 Month trial$2.991 Month
  • Ahmni Pro Yearly1 Month trial$19.991 Year

Questions

Is ZoomNotes Lite free?
ZoomNotes Lite is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Ahmni free?
Ahmni is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, ZoomNotes Lite or Ahmni?
Ahmni is rated higher. ZoomNotes Lite averages 4.2 out of 5 from 214 ratings, while Ahmni averages 4.6 from 250 ratings.
Do ZoomNotes Lite or Ahmni have ads?
Neither ZoomNotes Lite nor Ahmni shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ZoomNotes Lite or Ahmni?
ZoomNotes Lite ships an update every 3 weeks, and Ahmni fortnightly. Most recently, ZoomNotes Lite was updated on November 6, 2026 and Ahmni on November 7, 2026.

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