Comparison

References On Tap vs Moa PDF

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

Head to head
About

References On Tap

This app helps you find, display, and import reference information and PDFs from various academic databases. Organize your references into groups, perform advanced searches, and sync your library across devices. It offers both a one-time purchase for core features and a subscription for cloud syncing.

Highlights
  • Search academic databases (arXiv, Google Scholar, PubMed, etc.)
  • Import reference information and PDFs
  • Organize references in static and smart groups
  • Advanced boolean and full-text search options
  • Sync libraries across iOS and macOS devices via iCloud
  • Share references for reading or import
Features
Read full description

••• Check out Bookends - References' big brother ••• References searches arXiv, Google Books, Google Scholar, JSTOR, the Library of Congress, PubMed, PubMed Central, and Semantic Scholar to find, display, and import reference information and pdfs of the full article (if you have access privileges). You can search your personal reference library, organize your references in groups (static and smart), and share references in a form suitable for reading or importing into desktop reference management applications. Many features are optimized for reference retrieval and management (advanced boolean searches, search for Full Text or Free Full text, recall recent searches, etc.). Use iCloud to sync all your libraries and attachments across iOS and macOS devices, and have full access to your references and sources when you're on the go. Standard, one-time purchase ($4.99): • No limit on searches or importing. Premium, yearly subscription ($4.99). Requires a Standard purchase. • Cloud sync with all your iOS and macOS devices. Subscription is for one year and can be auto-renewable. The subscription can be managed in iOS -> Settings > iTunes & App Store > Subscriptions. The subscription might renew if it wasn't canceled more than 24 hours before the renewal date. If the subscription is not renewed, Premium will be disabled. Terms of Service: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Moa PDF

Features
Read full description

Moa PDF helps you scan, create, search, and organize PDFs on your device—no account needed. - Scan documents with automatic page detection and straightening - Turn photos into PDFs or import existing PDF files - Recognize text in scans on your device, then search names and recognized text - Copy or share recognized text and export a searchable PDF copy - Merge PDFs, extract a page range, and rotate pages - Add pen, highlight, text, and signature annotations - Improve scans with black-and-white, grayscale, contrast, and shadow-reduction filters - Keep, rename, share, and delete documents Moa PDF processes documents and recognized text on your device. It does not send them to a server for scanning or editing. Files you choose to share or save to a cloud service go to that service. Available text-recognition languages and results vary by device and document condition.

Screenshots

References On Tap4 screens
Moa PDF4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Moa PDF at none against References On Tap's 2. Moa PDF also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). References On Tap's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and device support (4 vs 2). On price 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. References On Tap sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per year. Moa PDF asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

References On Tap ships an update every 2 months, Moa PDF every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
References On Tap versus Moa PDF: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterReferences On TapMoa PDF
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (304 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings304 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size68 MB37 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperReferencesOnTapDongKwan Kho

In-app purchases

2 purchases

References On Tap

Subscriptions1
  • Premium$4.991 Year
One-time1
  • Standard$4.99
None

Moa PDF

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is References On Tap free?
References On Tap is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Moa PDF free?
Moa PDF is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do References On Tap or Moa PDF have ads?
Moa PDF shows ads; References On Tap does not.
Which is updated more often, References On Tap or Moa PDF?
References On Tap ships an update every 2 months, and Moa PDF every 3 weeks. Most recently, References On Tap was updated on October 21, 2026 and Moa PDF on October 24, 2026.

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