# PDF Tools Pro vs Pencil Notes

The clearest difference is price: PDF Tools Pro at Free against Pencil Notes's $1.99. Pencil Notes's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and chart position (#180 vs unranked). On update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

PDF Tools Pro is free to download; Pencil Notes costs $1.99 up front. PDF Tools Pro sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Pencil Notes asks for nothing beyond the download.

PDF Tools Pro ships an update fortnightly, Pencil Notes every 4 weeks. Both last shipped on October 31, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | PDF Tools Pro | Pencil Notes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $1.99 |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 4 weeks |
| Best chart rank | — | **#180** |
| Size | 5 MB | 50 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **16.4** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [明龙 车](https://appshunter.io/developer/495069166) | [Kliv Spahiu](https://appshunter.io/developer/1867066303) |

## What reviewers say

### PDF Tools Pro

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-tools-pro-scan-and-ocr/id6760276378)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support, iPhone Duo support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Lifetime Pro | $7.99 | one-time |


### Pencil Notes

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pencil-notes-handwriting/id6787762712)

**Currently charting:** #180 Top Paid · Productivity (US App Store)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is PDF Tools Pro free?

PDF Tools Pro is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Pencil Notes free?

Pencil Notes costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Do PDF Tools Pro or Pencil Notes have ads?

Neither PDF Tools Pro nor Pencil Notes shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, PDF Tools Pro or Pencil Notes?

PDF Tools Pro ships an update fortnightly, and Pencil Notes every 4 weeks. Most recently, PDF Tools Pro was updated on October 31, 2026 and Pencil Notes on October 31, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*