Comparison

PDF Note Pro vs Forensic Briefs

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

Head to head
About

PDF Note Pro

This application allows users to take freehand notes directly on PDF documents and record audio simultaneously. Notes are saved in native PDF and M4A formats, syncing across devices via iCloud for seamless access on mobile, desktop, and web. It offers powerful annotation tools and is available for free on iOS.

Highlights
  • Freehand PDF annotation
  • M4A audio recording
  • iCloud syncing across devices
  • Native PDF and M4A formats
  • Vector drawing tools
  • Text tool for typing
  • Image and web page insertion
Features
Read full description

PDF Note Pro is the most innovative, flexible, compatible, and powerful Note-Taking application! PDF Note Pro features Freehand Notes in a Native PDF format, and Audio recording in a Native M4A format. Using the PDF format, Freehand Notes are synced across all your devices (via iCloud) so you always have the latest version of your Notes with you -- regardless of device. And since PDF Note Pro uses the PDF format, you can annotate PDFs with powerful Note-taking tools *and* your Notes are ready for Mobile, Desktop, Web, and Print right from the get go: No more manually exporting notes and uploading files - PDF Note Pro handles everything for you! And best of all, PDF Note Pro is free for iOS and only $9.99 (U.S.) for OS X! With iCloud Drive, you can take Notes on the go and have your Notes ready at your Mac or Windows PC already downloaded when you get home* And If that wasn't enough, PDFs can be transferred instantly from one device to another with iCloud HandOff so you can start working on one device, and continue on another (iPhone, iPad, and Mac)** iOS Specific Features: - Innovative Graphical File Manager with Natural Touch Gestures: Single Tap to Select a File, Double-Tap to Open a File, Two Finger "Pinch" to Zoom the File Manager, and Tap and Hold to Drag Files onto Folders - Photorealistic page swipe animations (swipe the vertical edge of a PDF page horizontally to go to the previous or next page) - Draw using Palm Rest or Magnifier Window with "Smart Shift" technology Innovative Features on both iOS and OS X: - Freehand draw on Notes using native PDF format with “Vector" note taking tools such as Pencil, Eraser, and Highlighter; keeping PDF file sizes small - Record Audio in M4A format with stunning 3D Visualizor; M4A Audio files are synced to all your devices - iCloud support keeps your documents in Sync across iPhone, iPad, and Mac; and with iCloud Drive, Windows PCs and well* - iCloud HandOff lets you start work on one device and continue on another (iPhone, iPad, and Mac)** - Text Tool lets your Touch/Click to Type anywhere (iPad/Mac) - Cut Tool Makes it easy to reposition PDF content - Add Images, Text, and Web Pages to a PDF instantly (iPad/Mac) - Full Speech-To-Text Dictation support anywhere you can Type (Press Dictation key on keyboard on iOS, press “Fn” key twice on OS X) - iCloud is completely optional — PDF Note Pro works just as well offline as online! * iCloud Drive Support for Windows requires iCloud Drive install, iCloud Drive for Mac requires OS X 10.10 or later; iCloud Drive supports PDF/M4A **iCloud HandOff requires both Bluetooth 4.0/LE and WiFi on and enabled; iCloud HandOff works with PDF only ***Large PDF Documents in the Cloud (such as large eBooks) is not recommended*** ***If you have any issues please restart your device!***

About

Forensic Briefs

Features
Read full description

Forensic Briefs delivers expert-led continuing education in forensic psychology — anytime, anywhere. Stay current on essential topics at the intersection of psychology and law, from criminal responsibility and competency to ethics, assessment, and expert testimony. Hosted by respected forensic psychologists, each episode explores real-world cases and evidence-based practices designed to inform and advance your professional work. After listening, complete short quizzes directly in the app to earn continuing education (CE) credits approved for psychologists and other mental health professionals. Features include: Download episodes for offline listening — perfect for travel or commutes Stream full-length episodes hosted by leading forensic experts Take in-app CE quizzes and automatically track your progress Access your personalized library of completed courses and credits Sync seamlessly across devices for uninterrupted learning Professional education made accessible and mobile — Forensic Briefs helps you learn, grow, and stay licensed wherever your work takes you.

Screenshots

PDF Note Pro4 screens
Forensic Briefs2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Forensic Briefs at none against PDF Note Pro's 2. Forensic Briefs also leads on update cadence (monthly vs every 11 months). On price, ads, device support 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 Note Pro sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Forensic Briefs asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PDF Note Pro ships an update every 11 months, Forensic Briefs monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
PDF Note Pro versus Forensic Briefs: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPDF Note ProForensic Briefs
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 11 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS14.014.0.0
Further details — not scored
Size18 MB50 MB
Age rating17+9+
DeveloperMach Software DesignBite-Size Communications

In-app purchases

1 purchases

PDF Note Pro

One-time1
  • Remove Ads2 variants$0.99
None

Forensic Briefs

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is PDF Note Pro free?
PDF Note Pro is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Forensic Briefs free?
Forensic Briefs is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do PDF Note Pro or Forensic Briefs have ads?
Neither PDF Note Pro nor Forensic Briefs shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PDF Note Pro or Forensic Briefs?
PDF Note Pro ships an update every 11 months, and Forensic Briefs monthly. Most recently, PDF Note Pro was updated on September 30, 2026 and Forensic Briefs on September 22, 2026.

Other comparisons