Drawboard PDF Alternatives

Drawboard PDF is described as 'The top AEC PDF app to markup and manage drawings and documents. Ideal for replacing pen and paper, avoid printing documents again by using our intuitive feature set that makes marking up a PDF easy. Open or create a new PDF, markup using our extensive array of tools, then save' and is a PDF Reader in the office & productivity category. There are more than 25 alternatives to Drawboard PDF for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Linux, Mac, Android and iPhone apps. The best Drawboard PDF alternative is Okular, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Drawboard PDF are Foxit Reader, Xournal++, Evince and Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Drawboard PDF alternatives are mainly PDF Readers but may also be Note-taking Tools or PDF Editors. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Drawboard PDF.

Drawboard PDF alternatives page was last updated

Drawboard PDF

Paid • Proprietary
PDF Reader

The top AEC PDF app to markup and manage drawings and documents. Ideal for replacing pen and paper, avoid printing...

More about Drawboard PDF

Okular
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
PDF Reader
Ebook Reader
PDF Editor
Windows
Linux
BSD
Flathub
106 Okular alternatives
Multi-platform, fast and packed with features, Okular allows you to read PDF documents, comics and EPub books, browse images, visualize Markdown documents, and much more.
- - Okular is the most popular Windows & Linux alternative to Drawboard PDF.
- - Okular is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Drawboard PDF.
Suggest and vote on features
Okular Features
1. PDF annotationOkular support PDF Annotation for highlighting, notes etc
2. LightweightOkular consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
3. Dark ModeOkular supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
4. Text to SpeechOkular allows you to transform written text into spoken text.
5. Fill PDF FormsOkular supports forms in PDF files.
6. Privacy focusedOkular is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
7. Ad-freeOkular doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
8. Full-Text SearchOkular lets you search for specific words or phrases from inside a document or database.
Text Highlighting
Tabbed interface
Customizable shortcuts
KDE
Low memory usage
Text editing
Export to PDF
Compatible with Microsoft Office
Trim margins
Multiple languages
Comments about Okular as a Alternative to Drawboard PDF
This alternative is disputed. Okular is still a legitimate Drawboard PDF alternative, but it might have issues that some users think are important.
Guest
The annotation for okular doesn't function as seamless drawing on a PDF
Negative comment•
2
Foxit Reader
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free Personal • Proprietary
PDF Reader
PDF Editor
Text to Speech Service
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
Windows Phone
iPad
ReactOS
115 Foxit Reader alternatives
Foxit Reader is a free and light-weight multi-platform PDF document viewer. Its core function is compatible with PDF Standard 1.7.
- - Foxit Reader is the most popular Android, Mac, iPhone, iPad & Android Tablet alternative to Drawboard PDF.
Suggest and vote on features
Foxit Reader Features
1. PDF annotationFoxit Reader support PDF Annotation for highlighting, notes etc
2. Fill PDF FormsFoxit Reader supports forms in PDF files.
3. Sign PDF filesFoxit Reader support signing a PDF document digitally on a touch screen etc.
4. Text to SpeechFoxit Reader allows you to transform written text into spoken text.
5. LightweightFoxit Reader consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
6. Support for scriptingFoxit Reader supports scripts and macros to automate or customize tasks.
7. Spell CheckingFoxit Reader can detect and correct all types of grammar and spelling mistakes.
8. PortableFoxit Reader can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Highlighter
Tablet support
Booklet printing
Text Highlighting
Support for Javascript
Multiple languages
Print to PDF
Scan to word
Modify filesystem timestamps
Tabbed interface
Bundleware
The installer tries to install McAfee WebAdvisor and PhantomPDF Business. These can be skipped by clicking Decline on each.

Comments about Foxit Reader as a Alternative to Drawboard PDF
Some users think Foxit Reader is a great Drawboard PDF alternative, some don't.
violoncello
doesn't allow handwritten annotations with a stylus
Negative comment•
1

Guest
Hand written notes are note quite the same as Drawboard PDF
Negative comment•
2

Guest
You can write into the PDF, underline text, ... Similar features to Drawboard PDF even in the free version.
Positive comment•
4
Xournal++
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Digital Painting Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
Chrome OS
Android Tablet
Self-Hosted
42 Xournal++ alternatives
Xournal++ (a fork of Xournal) is a handwriting Notetaking software with PDF annotation support. Written in C++ with platform independent GTK, supporting Linux, e.g. Ubuntu, Debian, Arch, Suse, macOS and Windows 10. Supports Pen input like Wacom Tablets.
- - Xournal++ is the most popular Web-based & Self-Hosted alternative to Drawboard PDF.
Suggest and vote on features
Xournal++ Features
1. Handwritten NotesXournal++ supports writing by hand (or a stylus) and your text will be converted to text.
2. PDF annotationXournal++ support PDF Annotation for highlighting, notes etc
3. Works OfflineXournal++ can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
4. Pressure SensitivityXournal++ can change attributes like thickness or opacity, based on how much force you apply to your stylus/finger.
5. Ad-freeXournal++ doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
6. PortableXournal++ can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
7. Support for LaTeXXournal++ supports LaTeX for text and math equation formatting.
8. Dark ModeXournal++ supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
9. Spell CheckingXournal++ can detect and correct all types of grammar and spelling mistakes.
Support for styluses
Handwriting
Export to PDF
LaTeX Math
Pen Support
Multi layer drawing
Audio with notes
Freehand Writing
Highlighter
Auto-saving
Opinions about Xournal++ as a Alternative to Drawboard PDF
Almost everyone thinks Xournal++ is a great Drawboard PDF alternative.
Evince
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
PDF Reader
Linux
PortableApps.com
112 Evince alternatives
Evince (or GNOME Document Viewer) is a document viewer for multiple document formats: PDF, Postscript, djvu, tiff, dvi, XPS, SyncTex support with gedit, comics books (cbr,cbz,cb7 and cbt) and others. See Supported Document Formats for details.
Suggest and vote on features
Evince Features
1. LightweightEvince consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. PDF annotationEvince support PDF Annotation for highlighting, notes etc
3. PortableEvince can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
4. Dark ModeEvince supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
5. Ad-freeEvince doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
Invert colours
Multiple languages
Handwriting recognition
Windows Compatible
Opinions about Evince as a Alternative to Drawboard PDF
Most users think Evince is a great Drawboard PDF alternative.
Adobe Acrobat Reader
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
PDF Reader
Mac
Windows
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
106 Adobe Acrobat Reader alternatives
View, sign, collaborate on and annotate PDF files with our free Acrobat Reader software. And to easily edit and convert your PDFs into file formats like Excel and Word, try out PDF editor and converter Acrobat Pro DC.
Suggest and vote on features
Adobe Acrobat Reader Features
1. PDF annotationAdobe Acrobat Reader support PDF Annotation for highlighting, notes etc
2. Fill PDF FormsAdobe Acrobat Reader supports forms in PDF files.
3. Sign PDF filesAdobe Acrobat Reader support signing a PDF document digitally on a touch screen etc.
4. OCRExtract the text from a screen capture or file and paste it into another document for edits.
5. Dark ModeAdobe Acrobat Reader supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
6. LightweightAdobe Acrobat Reader consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
7. Combine PDFCombine, merge and arrange PDF files into one document.
8. Cloud SyncSync your data (notes, documents, bookmarks, etc.) across your different devices and to the cloud.
Edit PDF
Document Annotations
Create PDF files
Multi-tabs
Comments about Adobe Acrobat Reader as a Alternative to Drawboard PDF
This alternative is disputed. Adobe Acrobat Reader is still a legitimate Drawboard PDF alternative, but it might have issues that some users think are important.
violoncello
doesn't allow for handwritten annotations with a stylus
Negative comment•
0

Guest
limited annotation capabilities. Cannot write directly onto pdf like in drawboard.
Negative comment•
7
Xodo
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
PDF Reader
PDF Editor
Windows
Online
Android
iPhone
Chrome OS
Android Tablet
iPad
Google Chrome
104 Xodo alternatives
Xodo is the ultimate cross-platform PDF viewer and annotator. Powerful, fast, and optimized for all phones and tablets, Xodo makes it easy to access, edit, mark up, sort, share, sync, manage, sign, and more with even the most complex PDF documents.
- - Xodo is the most popular commercial alternative to Drawboard PDF.
Suggest and vote on features
Xodo Features
1. PDF annotationXodo support PDF Annotation for highlighting, notes etc
2. Dark ModeXodo supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
3. Sign PDF filesXodo support signing a PDF document digitally on a touch screen etc.
4. Ad-freeXodo doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
5. LightweightXodo consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
6. Split PDF filesXodo can split PDF files into multiple documents.
7. Combine PDFCombine, merge and arrange PDF files into one document.
8. OCRExtract the text from a screen capture or file and paste it into another document for edits.
9. Real time collaborationMultiple users can work together in Xodo simultaneously.
Export to PDF
Google Drive integration
Annotations
Split and merge PDF files
Multiple Open Tabs
Create PDF files
Edit PDF
Drawing on top of pdfs
Convert images to PDF
Tabbed interface
Comments about Xodo as a Alternative to Drawboard PDF
Almost everyone thinks Xodo is a great Drawboard PDF alternative.
Guest
XODO is free and has the option to add new pages into the PDF. In Drawboard PDF you only can add blank pages for free.
Positive comment•
0

Guest
Free. has Stylus and gesture support for windows tablets.
Positive comment•
1
Excalidraw
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Open Source
Whiteboard
Digital Painting Tool
Mind Mapping Tool
Online
Self-Hosted
28 Excalidraw alternatives
Excalidraw is an open-source whiteboard tool that lets you easily sketch diagrams that have a hand-drawn feel to them. Available directly online as a web app and also through CodeSandbox to easily see how the code works, and the app is available for self-hosting.
Suggest and vote on features
Excalidraw Features
1. Real time collaborationMultiple users can work together in Excalidraw simultaneously.
2. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Excalidraw without registration.
3. Dark ModeExcalidraw supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
4. End-to-End EncryptionExcalidraw has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
5. Ad-freeExcalidraw doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
6. Support for LayersExcalidraw supports the organization of elements through a hierarchical order that can be manipulated/viewed independently.
7. Cloud SyncSync your data (notes, documents, bookmarks, etc.) across your different devices and to the cloud.
8. Privacy focusedExcalidraw is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
Shared whiteboard
Interactive Whiteboard
Export to SVG
Free hand drawing
Handwriting
OpenBoard
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Whiteboard
Note-taking Tool
Digital Painting Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
62 OpenBoard alternatives
OpenBoard is a cross-platform (Linux / Windows / macOS) interactive whiteboard application. It is currently maintained by the Education Department (DIP) of the Canton of Geneva in Switzerland.
Suggest and vote on features
OpenBoard Features
1. Handwritten NotesOpenBoard supports writing by hand (or a stylus) and your text will be converted to text.
2. Pressure SensitivityOpenBoard can change attributes like thickness or opacity, based on how much force you apply to your stylus/finger.
3. Ad-freeOpenBoard doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
4. Dark ModeOpenBoard supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
5. Real time collaborationMultiple users can work together in OpenBoard simultaneously.
Interactive Whiteboard
Fullscreen support
Grease Pencil
Shared whiteboard
Freeform notes
Export to PDF
Pencil
Handwriting
Dual screen support
Integrated Web Browser
Qoppa PDF Studio
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
PDF Reader
PDF Editor
Text to Speech Service
Mac
Windows
Linux
Chrome OS
184 Qoppa PDF Studio alternatives
Create, Convert, Review and Edit PDF Documents on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Suggest and vote on features
Qoppa PDF Studio Features
1. Sign PDF filesQoppa PDF Studio support signing a PDF document digitally on a touch screen etc.
2. Fill PDF FormsQoppa PDF Studio supports forms in PDF files.
3. OCRExtract the text from a screen capture or file and paste it into another document for edits.
4. Dark ModeQoppa PDF Studio supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
5. Text to SpeechQoppa PDF Studio allows you to transform written text into spoken text.
6. Spell CheckingQoppa PDF Studio can detect and correct all types of grammar and spelling mistakes.
7. PDF annotationQoppa PDF Studio support PDF Annotation for highlighting, notes etc
8. Ad-freeQoppa PDF Studio doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
9. Works OfflineQoppa PDF Studio can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
Edit PDF
Scan to PDF
PDF Redaction
Convert PDF to Word document
Create PDF files
Measurement-Tools
Batch processing
Built-in viewer
PDF OCR
Lightweight
Skim
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
PDF Reader
Note-taking Tool
Mac
77 Skim alternatives
Skim is a PDF reader and note-taker for OS X. It is designed to help you read and annotate scientific papers in PDF, but is also great for viewing any PDF file.
Suggest and vote on features
Skim Features
1. LightweightSkim consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. Ad-freeSkim doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
3. PDF annotationSkim support PDF Annotation for highlighting, notes etc
Clean design
Note extraction
Export annotations
Butterfly
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Digital Painting Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
Android Tablet
Self-Hosted
F-Droid
32 Butterfly alternatives
Butterfly is a note app where your ideas come first. You can paint, add texts, and export them easily on every device. This app works on android, windows, linux, and in the web.
Suggest and vote on features
Butterfly Features
1. Dark ModeButterfly supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
2. Ad-freeButterfly doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
3. No TrackingButterfly will not track you or use your personal data.
4. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Butterfly without registration.
5. Handwritten NotesButterfly supports writing by hand (or a stylus) and your text will be converted to text.
6. LightweightButterfly consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
7. Privacy focusedButterfly is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
8. Works OfflineButterfly can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
9. PortableButterfly can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Handwriting
End-to-End Encryption
Distraction-free
Customizable
Decentralized
Cloud Sync
Built-in Note Taker
PDF annotation
xournal
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Journaling App
Windows
Linux
43 xournal alternatives
Xournal is an application for notetaking, sketching, keeping a journal using a stylus. It is free software (GNU GPL) and runs on Linux (recent distributions), Windows and other GTK+/Gnome platforms.
Suggest and vote on features
xournal Features
1. PDF annotationxournal support PDF Annotation for highlighting, notes etc
2. Handwritten Notesxournal supports writing by hand (or a stylus) and your text will be converted to text.
3. Drawing Tablet Supportxournal supports the use of external drawing tablets as input devices.
Edit PDF
Support for styluses
Sketching
Discontinued
It hasn't been updated since 2017, but there is an active fork Xournal++