# Bookends — user reviews > 127 indexed App Store user reviews of Bookends by Sonny Software, LLC, rated 4.70/5 from 394 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bookends/id739087947/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bookends/id739087947.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 331 · 4★ 32 · 3★ 9 · 2★ 8 · 1★ 14 ## What do users think of Bookends? Overall sentiment: positive **Pros** - 🚀 Seamless sync across devices - 👍 Excellent PDF annotation tools - 🔒 Reliable and stable - 💡 Powerful reference management features - 👍 Responsive and helpful developer support **Cons** - 🐛 Sync issues with iCloud and PDF files - 🔒 Subscription model for essential features - 👎 Outdated and clunky user interface - 🔒 Limited functionality on iOS without subscription **Commonly reported bugs** - Incompatibility with iCloud Optimized Storage - Unreliable sync between desktop and mobile versions - Occasional data loss or corruption **Most requested features** - Nested folders and tags for better organization - Automatic PDF metadata extraction - Improved search and filtering capabilities - Seamless integration with third-party services ## Newest reviews (17 of 127) ### 3/5 — Useful but awkward *2024-12-25, version 4.1.1* We find Bookends for the Mac to be invaluable, and this version is useful for looking up references that we entered on the Mac, but it entering new references on this version is awkward. ### 3/5 — Additional 50% *2024-08-15, version 4.0.2* On top of buying this, there is a sub for pro features. This has had a 50% increase without major functionality change. As an occasional user, I’ll have to subscribe when needed rather than just leave running I’m sure it was a commercial decision. Mine too ### 3/5 — Subscription Required *2024-05-29, version 4.0.2* … for cloud sync, using iCloud. Now is this even allowed? ### 3/5 — The app has to be completely rewritten *2024-04-17, version 4.0* You can’t add PDFs; editing references is bug-prone; the UX is awful. On the plus side, the PDF reader (as provided by standard Apple frameworks) is amazing. ### 2/5 — needs further development *2024-01-27, version 3.8.4* The iOS counterpart of the Mac Bookends application is helpful on the go. However, it lacks a number of important features the Mac app offers. The interface is outdated and cumbersome to use. It would be great if the developer improved the iOS app further given the annual subscription fee, which I am going to keep paying for a better and more functional app. Such features as “Replicate as Book Chapter” (very useful in the Mac app) would be welcome. Many academics work from their iPads and a good-quality iOS Bookends app would be desirable. ### 4/5 — Bookends in Context *2023-12-20, version 3.8.4* I use Bookends in conjunct with Mellel. Other than that, it‘s pretty good, but doesn‘t beat Zotero. Certainly not „alternativlos“ but a very good app especially when used with Mellel for your workflow. Its continued development is of course essential, but we see with other apps not a given; so a big thumbs up for zhat! ### 5/5 — Best reference manager *2023-04-02, version 3.8.3* Melhor gerenciador de referências que eu já usei no Mac e que tem também um bom app para iOS/iPadOS. Se você tem MacBook esse é o programa para você! O app para iPhone e iPad requer uma subscription para poder usar a pasta com os pdf no iCloud, em sincronização com o app para Mac, e por ora o valor é acessível e compreendo a necessidade de requerer um pagamento periódico para tal, apesar de que eu preferiria que fosse ofertada uma opção mais cara para lifetime license. Mas, o app oferece outra opção de sincronização para quem não quiser pagar anuidade, porém acho uma opção mais desagradável porque basicamente duplica os pdfs (você mantém uma cópia no seu iPhone/iPad). Apesar disso, não interfere na minha nota e avaliação do app porque a maior parto do uso é no Mac e pelo fato de oferecerem a opção para iPhone/iPad eu acho um plus bem-vindo. Sugiro a quem ler essa review a associar esse app com o Skim (PDF reader gratuito pro mac), Mellel (para escrever manuscritpts) e Hookmark (excelente utilitário para o mac e uma mão-na-roda para quem lida com referências e diversos pdfs). Parabéns aos desenvolvedores e pelos constantes updates. ### 5/5 — A really great app for academics *2023-04-01, version 3.8.3* This is a great app. It’s actively maintained and updated, and the iPad app has all the bells and whistles like support for multi-window (which is a must if you want to read a pdf and add notes or keywords to the meta-data), slide-over, etc. It’s support for Apple Pencil hand-written notes is top-notch, much better than anything else I’ve tried (ReadCube Papers). All in all, a wonderful app. ### 5/5 — Just gets better and better *2023-03-29, version 3.8.3* Bookends has in my view the best UX for reading and annotating PDFs on the AppStore. The recent addition of linking between PDFs and even annotations to other apps puts it above the competition. ### 5/5 — Close to Perfection *2023-03-29, version 3.8.3* After using Zotero for years, it took me a little while to get used to Bookends. However, it’s been well worth the effort. It does almost everything that Zotero does, plus a whole lot more. Additionally, it’s easier to organize, and is visually more appealing. The one thing I miss is how Zotero has a browser extension that makes it super simple to create a reference for a website with all the information pre-populated. If Bookends adds this feature, it will be the best reference manager I’ve ever used by a long shot. Altogether, Bookends extra features are endlessly satisfying and useful. And for those who are up for a little scripting, Bookends invites you to be creative! I love this app and am really enthusiastic about using it for years to come. ### 5/5 — Best one *2023-03-16, version 3.8.2* Best references manager currently available. Developers are responsive and very open to implementing new features and considering suggestions. Highly recommended. ### 5/5 — Great software *2023-02-25, version 3.8.2* I moved from endnote to book ends. I like it very much. The only thing is how I can add newspapers and other non-academic sources without having to do it manually. Any suggestions anyone? ### 5/5 — thumbnails are back! *2023-02-08, version 3.8.2* Thank you for bringing back the thumbnails! (it was very difficult to navigate without them) ### 5/5 — Just plain awesome *2022-12-22, version 3.8.1* It works. It syncs. It searches. It cites. It doesn’t crash. God damn it’s good ### 5/5 — The best reference management software for Mac & iOS users *2022-12-17, version 3.8.1* This really blows the cross platform competition out of the water, there is no better software out there for this purpose. Using this iOS/iPadOS app together with the desktop Mac app is an incredible duo. PDF annotation is excellent, as it’s ability to link to other apps. This app combo alone makes me glad I’m a Mac user, the windows software and cross platform software out there, is just well behind. The support is very good and very fast to roll out new features and make changes in response to feedback. Don’t hesitate, if you are a student studying or in academia get this iOS app together with the MacOS desktop version. You won’t be disappointed, it’s the best out there - by a long shot! ### 5/5 — 4 years on *2022-12-17, version 3.8.1* I moved on from Papers from Mekentosj several years ago now. And I've stayed with Bookends from then on. The team regularly update the app and provide excellent support. The iPad app has gotten steadily better. The MacOS app is a powerful manager of PDF libraries and a solid reference generator. ### 5/5 — A permanent part of workflow *2022-12-16, version 3.8.1* I started using bookends when the app i was using stopped updating to focus on new and improved app. Got tired of waiting. Tried the free options, more than one version of Endnote. I kept coming back here. I finished grad school, and still use it to keep documents and references handy for just in time training. It pulls correct data from pdf metadata 95+% of the time and many time it’s the pdf files that’s wrong. I sync between Mac, iPad and iPhone They have been responsive every time I’ve had an issue and helpful, even when it was operator error. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Can’t access years of citations anymore *2026-03-06, version 5.0.1* If you don’t keep paying for the upgrades, you will lose access to your citation database. Be ready to keep upgrading to keep access. ### 1/5 — Poor user interface. ICloud sync is broken *2023-01-07, version 3.8.1* Title says it all. To be clear, developers admit that multiple users have reported problems with iCloud sync and in-app purchases, but they dismiss the problem as a bug in iOS. Funny how no other app that I use has the same problem. In any case, there’s no resolution and the app isn’t usable. Edited to add: developer response is completely fair and accurate. My initial review was overly fueled by stress from my impending dissertation defense. Unfortunately, the app still isn’t usable for me. ### 1/5 — Waste of money *2022-11-29, version 3.8* One of the citation tracking apps that you try and give up after a while. Waste of money, regret that I bought it. ### 1/5 — Beware: Impossible to use local pdfs *2022-08-03, version 3.7.6* To import a local pdf, you must use ‘multifile’. But using multifile requires a subscription. The app thus lacks the ability to do anything useful without a non-cancellable subscription paid upfront. ### 1/5 — The rip-off of the sync service *2022-06-09, version 3.7.4* Bookends is really a good software. The only problem is the marketing department or whatever person in charge to determining the price of the services. Is there a reason why you should ask 10$ per year for using the Cloud service ?? We already spend every month a charge for their Cloud why you should ask for money for using the same service? Theoretically I could understand a situation in which you offer us your own cloud service. So at the end we have to pay 60$ for the desktop version (indispensable for using this reference manager) plus the standard version for iOS 10$ and another yearly 10$ for the ‘Cloud Sync’. This is a total of 80$ (!) when you buy this software. ### 1/5 — Great for searching but not organizing. *2021-01-05, version 3.6.1* I like the search function however everything else is useless without syncing. Having to pay to transfer references from one device to the others is not functional. I would like access to my database files on the iPhone and iPad Pro. Then syncing would not matter. I am considering another application over Bookends since the syncing and citation formatting is terrible on mobile devices. The subscription model only works if there will be added features over and above the MacPC version. In this case the application is useless on mobiles. Improve the importing, exporting, and folder organization features like on the laptop version will change my review. ### 1/5 — Essential feature updates only for subscription *2020-10-24, version 3.6.1* The standard version of the app is pretty much neglected and all new features are exclusive to subscribers. Many of these features are essential for this app to be useful on iOS. ### 1/5 — pandering *2020-06-25, version 3.5.2* The software is beautifully designed to support a scholarly workflow and then, out of nowhere, it interrupts, groveling for a software rating. And then, if you give a low rating, you get follow-on emails complaining about it. Now back to work. Where was I? ### 1/5 — Doesn’t Sync PDFs properly and will delete your entire library *2020-05-04, version 3.5* I spend $50 bucks for the desktop version and another $20 for the mobile version just so that this software could delete my entire library. It’s terrible and I wouldn’t put much stock into some of these “reviews.” Please don’t waste your money. I went online and the developer seems to not know how to deal with channges in Catalina, but he’s happy to take your hard earned money for his nonfunctional software. ### 1/5 — Не работает синхронизация *2018-09-27, version 3.3.2* Не работает синхронизация библиотек на Мас и на мобильном устройстве. Оплата всех профессиональных планов не помогла. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — I Love This App Even More *2026-04-15, version 5.0.3* This latest update has streamlined the functionality. I etnusiastically recommend without reservation. I’ve always relied on the mobile version. As the title states, love it even more! ### 5/5 — Best-in-class Reference Manager!!! *2026-01-24, version 4.2.2* I have a working university licence for the latest Endnote and work with colleagues using Zotero, Jabref and Mendeley across macOS, Windows and Linux. I have extensive knowledge of bibliographic workflows. Bookends is the BEST bibliographic tool overall on any platform. The sync between macOS and iOS is instant and reliable and makes accessing references while in an academic talk, conference, writing on a train etc so easy. Worth every penny!!! ### 5/5 — Your library in your pocket! *2025-11-15, version 4.2.2* Meeting a colleague for coffee and you know there is a perfect article or book, but can’t remember the title? Or made a new friend who you know you read their work but vague on the details? Stuck at the airport and looking for that existentialist text that describes your current situation? Bookends is your solution! Plus the guys who are behind the app are some of the most responsive app developers in the business! ### 5/5 — Invaluable *2025-08-17, version 4.2.2* We have long found Bookends for the Mac to be invaluable, and the iPad version has become so too. ### 5/5 — Da anni la mia app per bibliografie *2025-04-20, version 4.2* Notevoli miglioramenti nel tempo nella sua versione per iPad. Attualmente lo uso preferenzialmente su tablet ### 5/5 — Greatest Of All Time *2024-10-15, version 4.1.1* There simply isn’t a better reference management and annotation software package out there. Syncs flawlessly across devices, excellent search and indexing features. Should be everyone’s first purchase when they’re admitted to graduate school. ### 5/5 — I Love This App Even More *2024-03-19, version 4.0* This latest update has streamlined the functionality. I etnusiastically recommend without reservation. ### 5/5 — Best ever *2024-03-07, version 3.8.4* No app comparse to this. Excellent ### 5/5 — Great app *2023-07-07, version 3.8.3* Been using Bookends for Mac and iOS for a couple years now and it is rock solid. It allows me to have a huge library available everywhere and always in sync. Developers have been highly responsive and helpful. ### 5/5 — Epic deep linking *2023-04-17, version 3.8.3* I stumbled upon this in my pursuit of an app that allows nuanced deep linking to pdf pages across ios and desktop. I was blown away to find that bookends handles this very well. I am now embarking on the onerous task of swapping my general pdf library to bookends. --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-28.*