Best apps like Papers by ReadCube

Whether you want more options like Papers by ReadCube or a completely different take on the same concept, our curated list of 10+ similar apps has you covered. Updated for 2026 with the latest ratings and comparisons.

KobCard by KOB MARKETING

Gift Card Information Platform

4.0(62 ratings)

Free

KobCard is a comprehensive gift card information platform that offers real-time exchange rates, price calculations, and the latest news on gift cards. It serves as a one-stop destination for individuals looking to buy, sell, or stay informed about the world of gift cards.

Top Alternatives to Papers by ReadCube

Paperpile by Paperpile LLC

Manage research papers

Editor's Choice

4.5😐(129 ratings)

Free

Organize and manage your research papers effortlessly. Collect, read, and annotate PDFs from millions of academic journals. Beat paper chaos with a tidy digital library.

What We Love

👍 Excellent reference library management
🔄 Seamless cross-device synchronization
✍️ Intuitive PDF annotation and highlighting
🎨 Clean and minimalist user interface
📱 Strong iPad and mobile integration
🏷️ Effective tagging and organization system
🔗 Great Google Docs integration
📚 Superior to Mendeley, Zotero, and Endnote
⚡ Fast and responsive PDF viewer
🔐 Institutional proxy support for PDF downloads

Room to Improve

🐛 Frequent crashes and instability
⏱️ Lack of updates for extended periods
📱 Mobile app significantly behind web version features
🔋 High battery drain on iPad
🌙 No dark mode support
🔗 Limited browser support (Chrome only)
📝 Cannot edit metadata on mobile app
🔐 Limited authentication options (Google login only)
📤 File size limitations (50-100MB)
🔄 Sync issues and login problems
⚠️ Highlighting issues on iPad with overlapping annotations
💾 Annotations disappearing after closing PDFs

Bookends by Sonny Software, LLC

Reference management on the go

Strong Contender

4.7😊(398 ratings)

FreeIn-App Purchases

Manage your research references and PDFs on your mobile device. Search online databases, import metadata, annotate PDFs, and organize your library. Offers basic functionality for free with optional one-time purchase and yearly subscription for advanced features like cloud sync and unlimited imports.

What We Love

🚀 Seamless sync across devices
👍 Excellent PDF annotation tools
🔒 Reliable and stable
💡 Powerful reference management features
👍 Responsive and helpful developer support

Room to Improve

🐛 Sync issues with iCloud and PDF files
🔒 Subscription model for essential features
👎 Outdated and clunky user interface
🔒 Limited functionality on iOS without subscription

EndNote by Clarivate Analytics (US) LLC

Worth Considering

2.6😐(165 ratings)

Free

Manage your research from anywhere with this popular tool. Organize, search, and share academic papers and bibliographies seamlessly across devices. Sync your library and annotate PDFs on the go.

What We Love

🚀 Syncs well with desktop version
📚 Convenient for reading and annotating papers
💻 Good companion to desktop app
🔍 Useful for managing references on the go
🖋️ Annotation tools work well with Apple Pencil

Room to Improve

🐛 Crashes frequently
🔍 Clunky search and organization
📁 Sync issues and lost annotations
🔒 Incompatible with other cloud storage
🔧 Missing key features from desktop version

More apps like Papers by ReadCube

Zotero

Your research assistant

Collect research from various sourcesOrganize with collections and tagsAnnotate PDFs and webpages

This research tool helps you collect, organize, annotate, cite, and share your academic and professional work. Save articles, books, and webpages, add notes and highlights, and generate bibliographies in thousands of styles. Collaborate with others and sync your library across devices.

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A Smart Science Paper Helper

ivySCI

Automatic PDF metadata identificationAI-assisted reading and Q&ABuilt-in translation and dictionary

This app helps researchers manage and read scientific papers efficiently. It automatically extracts metadata, offers AI-assisted reading and proofreading, and allows for easy note-taking and citation integration with word processors.

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freemium

E-reader Redefine your Study

MarginNote 3

Integrated PDF/EPUB readerAdvanced annotation toolsMind mapping and outline organization

This app redefines studying by integrating e-reading with powerful annotation, mind mapping, and flashcard tools. Organize knowledge, connect ideas with hashtags, and enhance memory retention through spaced repetition. It offers a seamless workflow across multiple documents and devices.

free with in-app purchases

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Highlights: PDF Reader & Notes

Edit Research Documents/Books

Read and browse PDF documentsHighlight, underline, and strikethrough textAdd comments and sticky notes

This app is a fast and lightweight PDF reader designed for research. It allows users to read, highlight, and annotate documents, and then extract this information into organized notes. Advanced features include table data extraction, text recognition, and smart copying of annotations into various formats.

(1.6K)

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MarginNote 4: AI Notes·MindMap

Read & Flashcards All in One

Integrated reading, note-taking, mind mapping, and flashcardsQuick Extend Note and Handwriting Layers for annotationStudy Set for organizing PDFs, EPUBs, videos, and audio

This app integrates reading, note-taking, mind mapping, and flashcards into a unified study environment. It supports active learning with features like study sets, book compilation, and dual-article views. Enhance your understanding with visual learning tools and AI-powered content extraction for long-term memory retention.

free with in-app purchases

(716)

Logseq

by Logseq Inc.

BacklinksKnowledge GraphPage and block references

This open-source outliner helps you write, organize, and share your thoughts using local Markdown and Org-mode files. Manage tasks, build a digital garden, and integrate with various services for enhanced productivity.

(252)

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Annotate & review documents

LiquidText

Import documents and webpagesExtract and organize excerptsConnect ideas with ink links

This app provides a dynamic workspace for reviewing and organizing information from documents and webpages. It allows users to extract key facts, connect ideas across different sources, and annotate content for research, writing, or study.

free with in-app purchases

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