Comparison

pdf 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

pdf

This app allows you to read and annotate PDF files on your iPhone with fast page turning and convenient finger-writing tools. Easily import PDFs and share your notes via email or cloud services.

Highlights
  • Fast PDF display and page turning
  • Finger-writing and annotation tools
  • Import PDFs via Dropbox, Email, iTunes
  • Categorized bookshelves with search
  • Export annotated PDFs
  • Password-protected bookshelves
Features
Read full description

Utilize pdf-notes to read pdf files on your iPhone. The fastest and convenient pdf-notes for iPad is now available for iPhone. 1. Fast display, quick page-turning even a thousand pages 2. Convenient finger-writings 3. Sharing notes by mail or clouds. - Categorized multiple bookshelves(booklists) with powerful search - Easy importing PDF files through (DropBox, Email or Safari's) "Open In..." or iTunes - Finger-writing with a variety of pens, highlighters, drawings, sticky or text notes - Outlines and bookmarks - Exporting annotated PDF files to mail or clouds - Protected bookshelves by a password - External display and AirPrint * please visit the support site for more information http://bit.ly/1gBUQV1 Blog http://bit.ly/1992293 Email musebook@musebook.com Twitter http://twitter.com/musebook4u YouTube http://youtu.be/_60pvYx6pT4 NOTE: All content contained herein is subject to change without notice.

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

pdf4 screens
Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup at 4.8 against pdf's 4.0. Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup also leads on ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (1.9K vs 17). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and iOS requirement 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 sells 3 one-off in-app purchases 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 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup has 1.9K ratings behind it against 17, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 49% of pdf's written reviews are positive against 64% of Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

pdf ships an update every 5 weeks, Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup weekly. The most recent releases landed on July 10, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
pdf versus Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterpdfDrawboard PDF Annotate, Markup
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (17 ratings)4.8 (1.9K ratings) — better
Positive reviews48.6% of reviews64.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings171.9K — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksWeekly — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size109 MB97 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAMuseTec Co., Ltd.Drawboard Pty Ltd

Customer experience

pdf

All ratings17 ratings
Positive76.5%
Neutral11.8%
Negative11.8%
Written reviews70 reviews
Positive48.6%
Neutral14.3%
Negative37.1%

Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup

All ratings1,905 ratings
Positive96.3%
Neutral1.7%
Negative2.0%
Written reviews287 reviews
Positive64.5%
Neutral11.8%
Negative23.7%

Bugs and requests

pdf

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

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

3 purchases

pdf

One-time3
  • 2-Month Pass$0.99
  • 1-Year Path$2.99
  • Lifetime License$4.99
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 pdf free?
pdf 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, pdf or Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup?
Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup is rated higher. pdf averages 4.0 out of 5 from 17 ratings, while Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup averages 4.8 from 1.9K ratings.
Do pdf or Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup have ads?
pdf shows ads; Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup does not.
Which is updated more often, pdf or Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup?
pdf ships an update every 5 weeks, and Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup weekly. Most recently, pdf was updated on July 10, 2026 and Drawboard PDF Annotate, Markup on September 28, 2026.

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