# pdf vs BoardNotes

The clearest difference is rating: BoardNotes at 4.7 against pdf's 4.0. BoardNotes also leads on review sentiment (81% vs 49%) and update cadence (every 10 days vs every 5 weeks). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. pdf sells 3 one-off in-app purchases and BoardNotes sells 23 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

BoardNotes holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: BoardNotes has 115 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 81% of BoardNotes's.

pdf ships an update every 5 weeks, BoardNotes every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on July 10, 2026 and September 27, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | pdf | BoardNotes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.0 (17 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-notes-for-iphone/id694946243/reviews) | **[4.7 (115 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/boardnotes-notes-pdf-docs/id6448847544/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 17 | **115** |
| Positive reviews | 48.6% of reviews | **81.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | **Every 10 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 109 MB | 339 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [AMuseTec Co., Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/342152781) | [Chongqing Ouluowa Technology Co., Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1686544790) |

## What reviewers say

### pdf

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-notes-for-iphone/id694946243)

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:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 2-Month Pass | $0.99 | one-time |
| 1-Year Path | $2.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime License | $4.99 | one-time |


### BoardNotes

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/boardnotes-notes-pdf-docs/id6448847544)

This app combines whiteboard, notebook, PDF management, mind mapping, and flashcard creation into a single, versatile handwriting note-taking tool. It offers a wide array of pen types, organizational features, and study aids to enhance productivity and learning.

**Highlights:** Handwriting note-taking, Integrated whiteboard, PDF import and editing, Mind mapping functionality, Spaced repetition flashcards, Multiple pen and brush types, Layer management

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (23)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 7 days membership | $0.99 | one-time |
| 5 days membership | $0.99 | one-time |
| Math Formula Recognition | $1.99 | one-time |
| 1 month membership | $1.99 | one-time |
| Annual Membership | $3.99 | one-time |
| Permanent Unlock All | $3.99 | one-time |
| 6 months membership | $3.99 | one-time |
| 6 months membership (discount) | $3.99 | one-time |
| Permanent Unlock All | $4.99 | one-time |
| Annual Membership | $4.99 | one-time |
| 6 months membership | $4.99 | one-time |
| Full version Unlock | $5.99 | one-time |
| Annual Membership (discount) | $5.99 | one-time |
| 6 months membership | $6.99 | one-time |
| Permanent Unlock All | $6.99 | one-time |
| Annual Membership | $6.99 | one-time |
| Spring Festival Discount | $6.99 | one-time |
| Annual Membership | $7.99 | one-time |
| Permanent Unlock All | $7.99 | one-time |
| Permanent Unlock All(discount) | $7.99 | one-time |
| Permanent Unlock All | $8.99 | one-time |
| Permanent Unlock All | $9.99 | one-time |
| Permanent Unlock All | $19.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 💎 All-in-one app
- 💡 Feature-rich note-taking
- ✍️ Excellent Apple Pencil integration
- 💰 Affordable one-time purchase
- 🚀 Smooth performance

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔋 High battery consumption
- 🔥 Device gets hot
- 🐛 Data loss (whiteboards erased)
- 🚫 No automatic backup
- 🔍 Limited search functions

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- Sync to Google Drive/other cloud services
- Faster 'add to cards' function
- View carded items in sidebar
- Color coding for pins
- Image opacity adjustment


## Frequently asked questions

### Is pdf free?

pdf is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is BoardNotes free?

BoardNotes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, pdf or BoardNotes?

BoardNotes is rated higher. pdf averages 4.0 out of 5 from 17 ratings, while BoardNotes averages 4.7 from 115 ratings.

### Do pdf or BoardNotes have ads?

Both pdf and BoardNotes show ads.

### Which is updated more often, pdf or BoardNotes?

pdf ships an update every 5 weeks, and BoardNotes every 10 days. Most recently, pdf was updated on July 10, 2026 and BoardNotes on September 27, 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.*