Comparison

PDF Tools vs Bold

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

Head to head
About

PDF Tools

Edit, convert, and manage PDF files with features like OCR scanning, electronic signatures, and file merging. This tool allows for local processing without requiring a login, ensuring privacy and security for your documents.

Highlights
  • PDF to Word/Excel/TXT conversion
  • OCR scanning
  • Electronic signature
  • Merge and split PDFs
  • File encryption
  • Highlight and doodle on PDFs
Features
Read full description

One-click conversion of PDF↔Word/Excel/TXT, no watermark! Supports OCR scanning, electronic signature, merge and split, file encryption, and turns your phone into an office tool in seconds! Core functions: All-round editing - highlight/doodle/add text, modify PDF like editing Word Format conversion - convert PDF to Word/Excel/PPT/picture, 100% retain the original format OCR recognition - scan paper documents → searchable PDF/text File management - merge/split/compress/encrypt PDF, delete blank pages in one click Electronic signature - handwritten signature or upload signature image, business contract is done in seconds Why choose us? No login required - open and use, no privacy concerns Local processing - sensitive files are not uploaded to the cloud, safer High performance - large files open in seconds, hundreds of pages of documents edited smoothly Applicable scenarios Students: Scan textbooks/notes to text, review more efficiently Workers: Sign contracts and change plans at any time, worry-free mobile office Home users: Merge travel guides, compress document scans Download now to experience professional-level PDF processing! Subscription Terms: 1. Payment will be charged to your iThunes account at confirmation of purchase. 2. You can manage your subscription and turn off auto-renewal in your account settings after purchase. 3. Subscription will automatically renew if auto-renew is disabled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Privacy Policy: https://h5.pdfpro.xyz/privacy_policy.html Terms of Service: https://h5.pdfpro.xyz/user-agreement.html

About

Bold

This AI-powered recorder captures meetings, lectures, and thoughts, transforming them into organized summaries and transcriptions. Share your notes and audio easily via web links or other platforms. It's designed for students, professionals, and anyone who needs to stay organized.

Highlights
  • AI-powered recording and transcription
  • Automatic smart summaries
  • Multi-speaker detection
  • Organize and search notes
  • Secure web sharing
  • Background recording
Features
Read full description

Bold Notes is the 100% private and secure AI-powered recorder that captures everything from meetings to lectures and late-night thoughts — and turns them into organized, readable summaries. Your summaries, transcriptions, and audio are shareable via the web and dozens of other platforms. Whether you're a student, professional, or just someone who thinks out loud, Bold Notes makes it effortless to stay on top of what matters. Bold makes it easy to: • Seamlessly take notes, making it easy to share with coworkers, colleagues or classmates • Background record with the screen on or off. Works just like Voice Memos, but smarter. • Transcribe and Summarize podcasts, lectures, YouTube videos, interviews, meetings • Detect multiple speakers in any meeting or conversation • Organize and export • Share and collaborate with colleagues Record and Transcribe Automatically Your recordings are instantly transcribed using cutting-edge, secure AI — no typing, no hassle. Supports multiple speakers and even diarization. • One tap recording • Real time transcription • Background recording • Audio input via speaker or bluetooth Get Smart Summaries Don’t just read — understand. Our AI writes clear, bite-sized summaries so you can review content faster than ever. Organize & Search Every note is searchable. Filter by date, speaker, topic, or keywords. It’s like your second brain, always ready. Share • Get a unique, secure web URL to share with colleagues, friends, and others • One tap sharing via text, Slack, PDF, email and much more Private & Secure Your data is encrypted and stored securely. You control your content, always. Safe for any office environment iOS Optimized • Use lock screen to track recording and stop / start • AirPod recording compatible Bold Notes offers optional Premium subscriptions available via in-app purchase. Premium unlocks unlimited transcription, AI-powered summaries, extended recording time, and advanced sharing features. Free access may include usage limits. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

PDF Tools4 screens
Bold4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: PDF Tools at 5.0 against Bold's 4.7. PDF Tools also leads on iOS requirement (14.0 vs 17.6). Bold's advantage is ratings volume (59 vs 9). On price, update cadence, 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

Both are free to download. PDF Tools sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days and Bold sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $12.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

PDF Tools holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Bold has 59 ratings behind it against 9, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PDF Tools ships an update weekly, Bold every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on July 5, 2026 and September 27, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
PDF Tools versus Bold: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPDF ToolsBold
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (9 ratings) — better4.7 (59 ratings)
Positive reviews—94.1% of reviews
Number of ratings959 — better
Update frequencyWeeklyEvery 6 days — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS14.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size96 MB71 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperShilong LuBold App Studios LLC

Customer experience

PDF Tools

All ratings8 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bold

All ratings45 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews34 reviews
Positive94.1%
Neutral0.0%
Negative5.9%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

PDF Tools

Subscriptions2
  • Weekly$2.997 Days
  • Yearly3 Days trial$29.991 Year
One-time1
  • Permanent Member$3.99
2 purchases

Bold

Subscriptions2
  • Bold Notes Monthly Pro3 Days trial$12.991 Month
  • Bold Notes Yearly Pro3 Days trial$89.991 Year

Questions

Is PDF Tools free?
PDF Tools is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Bold free?
Bold is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, PDF Tools or Bold?
PDF Tools is rated higher. PDF Tools averages 5.0 out of 5 from 9 ratings, while Bold averages 4.7 from 59 ratings.
Do PDF Tools or Bold have ads?
Both PDF Tools and Bold show ads.
Which is updated more often, PDF Tools or Bold?
PDF Tools ships an update weekly, and Bold every 6 days. Most recently, PDF Tools was updated on July 5, 2026 and Bold on September 27, 2026.

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