Top 5 Free PDF Annotation App for iPad & iPhone (iOS 17 Supported)
2026-04-08 15:02:27 • Filed to: Free Apps • Proven solutions
The development of new programs and apps makes document management easier these days. You can use several apps to change your PDF files by annotating them or by using other editing features. This article will introduce the 5 best free PDF annotation Apps for iPhone and iPad.
1. PDFelement
PDFelement for iOS is the best PDF annotation app for iPad and iPhone. It provides a wide selection of annotating tools such as highlighters, underlines, pencils, call-outs, and shapes.
PDFelement for iOS offers the best app to annotate PDFs on iPhone and iPad devices. It has more advantages that accompany its operations. The program helps you edit your PDF effortlessly and add annotations on the PDF file with notes, stamps, highlights, strikeouts, comments, and more. Moreover, it helps you add text to fillable forms, and you can draw personal signatures to the PDF with ease for iOS 14/13.
This editing tool lets you revise and make changes to your PDF document at any place. Furthermore, the app helps keep your PDFs organized manner by putting them together in one cohesive file for easier retrieval.
How to Annotate PDF on iPad/iPhone with PDFelement
Step 1. Open PDF File on iPad/iPhone
Open the PDFelement app on your iPhone 13 or iPad. The document list will show up on the local list. Then you can tab on the PDF file you want to make an annotation on and open it on your iPad or iPhone.
PDFelement allows you to open PDF files from cloud storage, including Wondershare Cloud, iCloud, Google Drive, and etc.
Step 2. Tab on the Annotation Tools to Annotate PDF
When you open the PDF file in the program, tap on the "Pencil" icon on the left of the screen. From there, look at the bottom menu bar to find markup tools like Highlighter, Sticky Note, Typewriter, Pencil, Shape, Stamp, and so on.
Then you can click on the "Highlighter" tool to select "Highlight", "Underline", and "Strikethrough" tools to markup PDF texts. Move your finger to the PDF texts on the page that you want to highlight/underline/strikethrough. Tab and select the texts, and the text will be added annotation then.
Step 3. Add Sticky Notes on PDF
Find the "Sticky Note" icon on the bottom menu bar to add a sticky note and a typewriter. Tab on it and move to the place on the PDF where you want to insert the sticky note. Once you are there click on it and the note will appear. Open the note and begin typing words on it.
Best Desktop PDF Annotator - PDFelement
Wondershare PDFelement - PDF Editor Wondershare PDFelement Wondershare PDFelement provides the best annotation application for not only iPhone and iPad, but also for Mac and Windows.
PDFelement: iOS VS Mac
| Product Features | PDFelement for iOS
|
PDFelement for Mac
 |
| View PDF Files | ||
| Edit PDF Files | ||
| Page Management | ||
| Annotations and Comments | ||
| Create PDF Files | ||
| Add Bookmarks | ||
| OCR feature | ||
| Add Watermarks | ||
| Redaction | ||
| Access to Hundreds of PDF Templates |
2. PDF Expert
PDF Expert is an excellent solution for all your PDF needs on your iOS device. It allows you to read and annotate PDF documents, make notes, highlight texts, add stamps, sign, underline, strikeout, draw with your fingers, and save the changes. The app is compatible with Preview and Adobe Acrobat so whenever you save the changes you have the option to preview and read them. Furthermore, it provides you with the best choice for filling out PDF forms.
The organization of the app is evident, it utilizes popover menus, standard icons, and generously sized buttons that prevent the cluttering of your screen. More so, you can add, delete, or move pages and view media files in PDF files. The most impressive feature is the menu that lists all the previous annotations and lets you remove any change with a single swipe.
Pros
- It comes with a clean and user-friendly interface.
- Provide powerful annotation tools for iPad.
- Fast response speed.
Cons
- Advanced PDF editing and annotation tools require a premium subscription.
3. Apple Books
Apple Books is a built-in iPad app that provides a simple and efficient way to read and annotate PDFs without needing any additional downloads. It supports essential annotation tools such as highlighting, underlining, adding notes, and drawing with Apple Pencil through the Markup feature.
It's integrated seamlessly with the Apple ecosystem, allowing users to sync documents across devices via iCloud and access them instantly. The interface is clean, lightweight, and optimized for distraction-free reading, making it a practical choice for casual users or those who prioritize convenience over advanced functionality.
Pros
- It comes pre-installed on iPad, so no setup is required.
- The interface is clean and easy to navigate for beginners.
- It integrates seamlessly with iCloud for cross-device syncing.
- It works smoothly with Apple Pencil for quick annotations.
Cons
- It lacks advanced PDF editing and annotation features.
4. GoodNotes
GoodNotes is a powerful note-taking and PDF annotation app designed specifically for users who prefer a handwriting-first workflow. It allows users to write naturally with Apple Pencil, annotate PDFs as if they were printed pages, and organize documents into notebooks and folders.
It provides a highly responsive and realistic writing experience, combined with features like handwriting recognition, searchable notes, and flexible page management. GoodNotes is particularly popular among students and professionals who need to combine structured note-taking with detailed PDF markup in a single environment.
Pros
- It allows users to organize notes into structured notebooks and folders.
- It supports powerful search through handwritten and typed content.
- It offers flexible tools for detailed and precise PDF annotations.
Cons
- The free version limits the number of notebooks available.
- It lacks built-in collaboration features compared to some competitors.
5. iAnnotate PDF
iAnnotate PDF has an intuitive interface and comprehensive features that allow you to annotate, manage and share files from your iOS device. People utilize the app in taking notes on lecture slides, revise screenplays, annotating important business documents, grading papers, and much more. The application offers complete control over PDFs.
For instance, it has a notable feature, which is the ability to convert and annotate the converted PDF. However, the tool has more buttons and options that take more effort to master, although you can get help from the user guide.
Pros
- It features a wide range of annotation tools for iPad.
- Designed for reading and annotating large PDFs.
- Can convert Word, PowerPoint, and image files into PDFs for annotation.
Cons
- Lacks advanced shape drawing tools like circles or arrows.
FAQs about the Best PDF Annotator for iPad and iPhone
Q: Can you annotate a PDF on an iPad?
A: Yes, you can annotate a PDF on an iPad. iPadOS supports PDF markup through built-in tools like Apple Markup, so you can highlight text, add notes, draw with your finger or Apple Pencil, and sign documents. If you need more advanced features, apps such as GoodNotes, PDFelement, and PDF Expert also let you annotate PDFs on iPad. The best option depends on whether you want simple note-taking, professional review tools, or a more handwriting-focused experience.
Q: What is the best free app for PDF annotation on iPad?
A: One of the best free apps for PDF annotation on iPad is Apple’s built-in Files and Markup tools because they are already available on most iPads and work well for basic highlighting, drawing, signatures, and comments. If you want more features, a few strong alternatives are also worth considering:
- Apple Markup: Best for quick, simple PDF annotation without installing anything extra.
- PDFelement: A popular option for highlighting, commenting, and editing PDFs across devices.
- GoodNotes: A useful choice if you want a clean interface with solid annotation tools.
If you only need everyday markup, Apple Markup is usually the easiest free solution.
Q: Does GoodNotes allow you to annotate PDFs on iPad?
A: Yes, GoodNotes allows you to annotate PDFs on iPad. You can import a PDF into the app and then highlight text, write notes by hand, add typed comments, draw shapes, and mark up pages with Apple Pencil. This makes it a popular choice for students, professionals, and anyone who likes handwritten annotation. GoodNotes is especially useful if you want your PDF markup to feel more like natural note-taking rather than formal document review. However, some advanced PDF editing features, like directly changing the original PDF text, are not its main focus.
Free Download or Buy PDFelement right now!
Free Download or Buy PDFelement right now!
Try for FreeNow!
Try for FreeNow!
Elise Williams
chief Editor