Comparison

BoardNotes vs Notes

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

Head to head
About

BoardNotes

This app combines note-taking, whiteboarding, PDF management, mind mapping, and flashcards into a single, versatile tool. It offers a rich set of handwriting and drawing features, supports various media types, and includes an intelligent flashcard system for efficient learning.

Highlights
  • Integrated whiteboard, notebook, PDF, mind map, and flashcards
  • Extensive handwriting pen and brush options
  • Lasso tool and pixel/object eraser
  • Whiteboard with media cards and auxiliary tools
  • Notebooks and PDFs with import/export and page management
  • Mind mapping with customizable nodes and structures
  • Spaced repetition flashcards with SuperMemo algorithm
Features
Read full description

Feature Introduction: BoardNotes is a versatile handwriting note-taking app that integrates five major functions—whiteboard, notebook, PDF, mind map, and flashcards—covering most note-taking scenarios. It serves as your All-In-One App. Handwriting Pen: 1. BoardNotes utilizes Apple's native pen technology and has developed additional pens tailored for Chinese writing, including a fountain pen, a laser pointer for presentations, and a tape pen for masking notes. 2. Choose from a variety of brushes (laser pen, tape pen, ballpoint pen, straight-line pen, wavy-line pen, custom fountain pen, quill pen, pencil, marker, watercolor pen, fill pen, single-line pen, crayon, freehand pen) to unleash your creativity. 3. Lasso tool (extremely powerful). 4. Eraser (pixel eraser and object eraser). Whiteboard: 1. The whiteboard is ideal for organizing fragmented knowledge, brainstorming, and boosting creativity. 2. Write and draw freely without worrying about boundaries. 3. Customize background colors and grid templates. 4. Add various card types (text, image, video, audio, webpage, file, handwriting). 5. Multiple auxiliary tools: background board, pins, link navigation (supports bidirectional links), connectors, timer (countdown supported), calculator. 6. Quickly locate notes using the search function. Notebook & PDF: 1. Create notebooks and PDFs with multiple paper templates and cover options. Import images from Photos or PDFs from the Files app as pages or covers. 2. Add text, images, stickers, videos, webpage snapshots, audio recordings, links (bidirectional links supported), timers, calculators, and floating PDF windows. 3. Layer functionality—show or hide layers as needed. 4. Insert new pages via blank sheets, images, scanned documents, or files. 5. Cut, copy, and paste pages into other notebooks or PDFs. 6. Duplicate, rotate, or delete pages. 7. Reorder pages via long-press and drag in thumbnail view. 8. Create outlines and add bookmarks. 9. Search (text, handwritten notes, etc.). 10. Import e-books (epub, mobi, azw, etc.). Mind Map: 1. Mind mapping is a key feature within the whiteboard. 2. Nodes support multiple formats (text, image, handwriting, video, audio, webpage snapshot, file). 3. Offers 3 structures and 18 color schemes. 4. Add summaries (brackets). 5. Handwritten mind maps (using handwritten cards). 6. Long-press and drag selected cards into the mind map. 7. Reorder nodes or adjust hierarchy via long-press and drag. Flashcard: 1. Flashcards use the SuperMemo algorithm to automatically schedule optimal review intervals, reminding you before forgetting to maximize memory efficiency. 2. Flashcards support text, images, and handwriting. 3. Quickly create cards from notes in whiteboards, notebooks, or PDFs using the rectangular lasso tool. Download BoardNotes for free on iPad, iPhone, and Mac. For suggestions, please contact us via the in-app feedback feature.

About

Notes

Capture ideas, create to-do lists, and sketch designs with a versatile digital notebook. Customize your notes with various paper templates, stickers, fonts, and colors. Effortlessly organize and share your work as PDFs.

Highlights
  • Customizable paper covers and templates
  • Multimedia tools: pencil, text, photos
  • Vector-based digital pencil for drawing
  • Hundreds of font and color options
  • Organize notes with custom titles and covers
  • Export notes as PDF
Features
Read full description

Take your notes to the next level! Download Notes: Note taking & writing for free and experience the new way of taking digital notes. This notetaking app is as flexible as you are. Jot down ideas, take notes, or sketch your next big idea. Whether you're a student, a professional, or just love doodling, you'll find all the tools you need. UPGRADE YOUR NOTE-TAKING • Choose from various cute and inspiring paper covers. • Work on your content with many available paper templates like Daily Plan, To-do-list, Vocabulary list, and more. • Bring photos from the gallery to your notes with one click. Easily memorize and mark the photos you prefer. • Various sticker selections to make your notes lively and memorable. YOUR NOTES YOUR STYLES WITH CUSTOMIZED TEXTS AND HAND-DRAW OPTION • Use multi-media tools like pencil, and text to work on the content. • Add your text anywhere in the notes and choose from hundreds of available fonts and colors of your choice. • Experience the most lifelike, vector-based digital pencil to freely draw anything you like. Enjoy fine-tuned, responsive, and precise writing. STAY ORGANIZED, STAY PAPER-FREE • Keep all your notes in one place, without the bulk or waste of paper. • Freely add additional pages to your current work to make your note endless. • Organize with hundreds of different notebook covers and specify the title of your choice. SHARE IDEAS EFFORTLESSLY AS PDF • Easily share your notes in PDF format with any contacts and channels. Our note-writer app goes beyond just being a cutting-edge, fast, and reliable note-taking app—it's designed for anyone who takes notes or writes. This smart notepad and writing workspace is perfect for both your iPad and iPhone. Contact us: teammarketing@lutech.ltd Terms of Services: https://lutech.vn/term Privacy Policy: http://lutech.vn/privacy

Screenshots

BoardNotes4 screens
Notes4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: BoardNotes at 80% against Notes's 0%. BoardNotes also leads on rating (4.7 vs 2.3) and ratings volume (117 vs 3). Notes's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 2 days vs every 2 weeks). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support 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. BoardNotes sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and Notes sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

BoardNotes holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 2.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: BoardNotes has 117 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 80% of BoardNotes's written reviews are positive against 0% of Notes's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

BoardNotes ships an update every 2 weeks, Notes every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on November 14, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
BoardNotes versus Notes: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBoardNotesNotes
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (117 ratings) — better2.3 (3 ratings)
Positive reviews80.0% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings117 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 2 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.014.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size342 MB180 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperChongqing Ouluowa Technology Co., Ltd.Lutech-DN

Customer experience

BoardNotes

All ratings116 ratings
Positive94.8%
Neutral1.7%
Negative3.4%
Written reviews45 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral6.7%
Negative13.3%

Notes

Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

Bugs and requests

BoardNotes

Reported bugs

16 issues
  • Whiteboards erasing automatically
  • No automatic backup leading to data loss
  • Syncing issues between iPad and Mac
  • Pencil tip not appearing on PDF annotations
  • App crashes frequently
Show 11 more
  • Recording data is lost
  • Cannot create new notebooks
  • Gear icon for settings missing in dark mode
  • Issue with eraser and color selection logic
  • Lasso tool missing cut button after cropping
  • PDF embeds appear blurry
  • Handwriting search not implemented
  • Accidental touches/palm rejection issues
  • Chinese font display issues in markdown
  • App freezes when using search function
  • Software flashes back (crashes)

Requested features

24 requests
  • Sync to Google Drive/other cloud services
  • Faster 'add to cards' function
  • View carded items in sidebar
  • Color coding for pins
  • Image opacity adjustment
Show 19 more
  • Faster image copy from whiteboard
  • Android app version
  • WebDAV function
  • Markdown editing/viewing function
  • Handwriting recognition and search
  • Improve palm rejection/anti-touch
  • Add more brush types (with stroke variation)
  • Search for handwritten text
  • Dark Mode UI
  • More calculator functions (square root, trig identities)
  • In-app browser (ChatGPT, YouTube integration)
  • Easier UI navigation of notebook pages
  • Ability to change existing page formats
  • More in-depth pen fine-tuning
  • Optimize UI, move undo/redo to top right
  • Adjust pressure sensitivity
  • Customizable top toolbar icons
  • Add college rule paper
  • Translate function for papers

Notes

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

10 purchases

BoardNotes

One-time10
  • 5 days membership$0.99
  • Math Formula Recognition$1.99
  • 1 month membership$1.99
Show 7 more
  • Permanent Unlock All$4.99
  • 6 months membership$4.99
  • 6 months membership$6.99
  • Permanent Unlock All$6.99
  • Annual Membership$7.99
  • Permanent Unlock All$7.99
  • Permanent Unlock All$9.99
4 purchases

Notes

Subscriptions4
  • monthly$0.991 Month
  • quarterly$2.493 Months
  • Premium Year$3.491 Year
Show 1 more
  • Loyalty member1 Year trial$3.991 Year

Questions

Is BoardNotes free?
BoardNotes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Notes free?
Notes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, BoardNotes or Notes?
BoardNotes is rated higher. BoardNotes averages 4.7 out of 5 from 117 ratings, while Notes averages 2.3 from 3 ratings.
Do BoardNotes or Notes have ads?
BoardNotes shows ads; Notes does not.
Which is updated more often, BoardNotes or Notes?
BoardNotes ships an update every 2 weeks, and Notes every 2 days. Most recently, BoardNotes was updated on November 14, 2026 and Notes on November 4, 2026.

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