Comparison

Highlights vs PDF Reader, Editor & Scanner +

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

Head to head
About

Highlights

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.

Highlights
  • Read and browse PDF documents
  • Highlight, underline, and strikethrough text
  • Add comments and sticky notes
  • Extract annotations into organized notes
  • Convert table data and recognize text
  • Smart copy annotations to various formats (CSV, BibTex)
  • Lookup citation metadata and DOI links
Features
Read full description

"... an app that students, academics, and anyone who does substantial amounts of PDF-based research should try" - Macstories.net "It’s the novel approach to PDF annotation that makes this app a cut above the rest"- TapSmart.com *** "App of the Day" - App Store, US *** USE HIGHLIGHTS FOR FREE Highlights is a fast and lightweight PDF reader (under 10MB) packed with features to help you do your best research. Free users have access to standard PDF reader features including document browsing, reading and annotating. There are NO ADS, time limits or tracking. READ PDF DOCUMENTS • Open PDF documents from anywhere • Browse files using the familiar document browser • Open PDFs in Single Page or Two Page scroll mode • Double tap to Smart Zoom in on a paragraph or figure • Scrub smoothly to the desired page • Search the entire document in an instant • Navigate using any connected keyboard or mouse STORE YOUR FILES WHERE YOU WANT • Full support for "Open In Place" lets you make edits to the file where it is • Access your files from iCloud Drive, Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive or Box using the document browser • Or keep them privately on device only HIGHLIGHT AND ANNOTATE FASTER • Select text with your finger, Apple Pencil or mouse pointer • Highlight, underline, strikethrough text and make image selections • Add comments to annotations or as individual sticky notes • Annotate with fewer taps using context aware popovers • Default annotation colors prevents you from having to repeatedly setting the color for the same type of annotation every time TURN ANNOTATIONS INTO NOTES • As you markup text and images the contents are extracted and sorted into notes • Customize the formatting and contents of your notes • Sort the annotations chronologically or create your own color coding EXTRACT TABLE DATA AND RECOGNIZE TEXT • Convert images containing text or tables to actual text and tables using machine learning - letting you get to the underlying data with a single tap SMART COPY Copy annotations to the desired format with one tap: • Text markup as text • Image selections as images • Tables as CSV • Citations as BibTex LOOKUP CITATIONS • Highlights will fetch DOI-links and metadata • Markup any reference and tap the link icon to look it up • If you have read the work already or have it in your reference manager library, Highlights will link you to it EXPORT ANYWHERE • Save or share your notes as portable files: Markdown, TextBundle, HTML, WebArchive or PDF • Share them to your favorite notes app: Apple Notes, Bear, Craft, Evernote, DEVONThink, Keep It, MindNode, Notion, Obsidian, Roam Research or Ulysses • Or send them to a colleague via mail. It's your notes, you decide where they go MUCH MORE • Dark mode • Multi-window support on iPadOS • Keyboard shortcuts and navigation • Support for system Copy and Undo gestures • Alternative app icons • Custom accent colors • Apple Pencil double-tap gestures • Power annotation tools For a full list of features see: highlightsapp.net/features HIGHLIGHTS PRO The Highlights Pro subscription unlocks advanced features on your iPhone, iPad and Mac: • Export options for other apps and easily editable formats • Extract information using table and text recognition • Customize accent colors and alternative app icons • Power annotation tools • Citation lookups • Smart Copy Highlights Pro includes a 14-day free trial. You can cancel your subscription at any time. The subscription will automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off within 24-hour prior to the end of of the current period. Payments will be charged to your iTunes account and your account will be charged within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period. Any unused portion of a free trial period will be forfeited when you purchase a subscription. For more information about Highlights Pro: highlightsapp.net/pro Privacy Policy: highlightsapp.net/privacy Terms of Use: highlightsapp.net/terms

About

PDF Reader, Editor & Scanner +

Features
Read full description

Discover the ultimate solution for all your PDF needs with PDF Reader, Editor & Converter! Whether you need to read any PDF file on your mobile, convert photos into PDFs, edit documents on the go, this app provides a powerful, intuitive, and user-friendly experience. Key Features: * PDF Reader: View and navigate PDF files effortlessly with a smooth and fast reading experience. * Create PDFs from Text: Compose and format text documents directly in the app and export them as professional-quality PDFs. * Photos to PDF Converter: Easily convert images from your gallery or camera into high-quality PDF files. * PDF Editor: Add annotations, highlight text, insert signatures, and make other edits directly within your PDF. * Text Extraction: Extract text from scanned PDFs or images using advanced OCR technology. * Secure Your PDFs: Protect sensitive information with password encryption. * File Organization: Rename, move, and organize your PDF files efficiently. Why Choose PDF + ? * Fast and Reliable: Lightning-fast conversions and smooth editing tools. * Easy to Use: Designed with a clean and intuitive interface for all users. * High Quality: Retain original formatting and quality in every conversion. * With PDF Reader, Editor & Converter, handling PDF documents has never been easier. Perfect for students, professionals, and anyone who frequently works with PDFs. Download now and take full control of your documents! Get started today and simplify your PDF management experience! SUPPORT Support Email: support@wondapro.com Terms of use: https://www.wondapro.com/wondapro-terms-of-use Privacy policy: https://www.wondapro.com/wondapro-privacy-policy For complete access to features of this App, you will need to allow access to the following: *Camera & Photo Gallery  – the app help to scan photo to get text easily. *Microphone & Speech Recognition – so that speech-to-text feature will work. Payments and Renewal in the App: * You can manage or turn off auto-renew in your Account settings at any time after purchase * "Try Free" for 3 first days available for monthly subscription, auto renew and charge after finishing 3 days. Cancel any time. * No cancellation of the current subscription is allowed during the active period after payment

Screenshots

Highlights4 screens
PDF Reader, Editor & Scanner +4 screens

Verdict

The call

Highlights and PDF Reader, Editor & Scanner + are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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. Highlights sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and PDF Reader, Editor & Scanner + sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Highlights ships an update fortnightly, PDF Reader, Editor & Scanner + every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 8, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
Highlights versus PDF Reader, Editor & Scanner +: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHighlightsPDF Reader, Editor & Scanner +
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (1.6K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews53.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings1.6K — better—
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 9 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size37 MB71 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperJonas Myren RibeWondaPro Co., Ltd

Bugs and requests

Highlights

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Highlights and annotations randomly disappearing
  • Text selection issues, especially with footnotes
  • Compatibility problems with certain PDF files
  • Syncing issues across devices
  • Export functionality not working as expected

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add handwriting and freeform annotation support
  • Implement a table of contents or bookmarking feature
  • Allow editing of notes directly in the app
  • Provide a one-time purchase option instead of subscription
  • Improve search capabilities with visual results and navigation

PDF Reader, Editor & Scanner +

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Highlights

Subscriptions3
  • Highlights Pro: Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Highlights Pro14 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Highlights Pro: Legacy Upgrade1 Year trial$29.991 Year
3 purchases

PDF Reader, Editor & Scanner +

Subscriptions3
  • Weekly PDF Plus Subscription$4.997 Days
  • Monthly PDF Plus Subscription3 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Yearly PDF Plus Subscription$79.991 Year

Questions

Is Highlights free?
Highlights is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PDF Reader, Editor & Scanner + free?
PDF Reader, Editor & Scanner + is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Highlights or PDF Reader, Editor & Scanner + have ads?
Neither Highlights nor PDF Reader, Editor & Scanner + shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Highlights or PDF Reader, Editor & Scanner +?
Highlights ships an update fortnightly, and PDF Reader, Editor & Scanner + every 9 days. Most recently, Highlights was updated on September 22, 2026 and PDF Reader, Editor & Scanner + on September 8, 2026.

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