Comparison

Javelin Reader vs Highlights

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

Head to head
About

Javelin Reader

This app is a PDF reader designed for books and articles, offering features like bookmarking, annotation, and highlighting. It allows users to download documents via URL, file sharing, or XML shortcuts, supporting DRM-protected files.

Highlights
  • PDF reading
  • Bookmarking
  • Annotation
  • Highlighting/markup
  • Document download via URL
  • File sharing support
  • DRM protected file support
Read full description

Javelin version 3 is a special PDF reader for books, articles and similar documents, with or without document authorization. The app supports PDF reading functionality and navigation via the Contents icon, embedded hyperlinks, bookmarks and similar features. Bookmarking, Annotation and highlighting/markup features are supported in the PDF reader. Documents can be downloaded to the app in one of three principal ways: (i) by using the download icon in the toolbar and entering a full URL; or (ii) by file sharing via iTunes - files may be downloaded or shared that have the file extensions .pdf and .drmz; and (iii) the app supports a third file format, which is an xml structure for lists of documents. This essentially provides a shortcut for the download procedure, as the xml file includes a description of the file and the url of the file to be downloaded, thereby simplifying the download process for the user. These xml lists can themselves be downloaded via an explicit URL download request or may be pre-loaded - a sample catalog is pre-loaded. Suitable files downloaded via Safari may also be opened via Javelin. Examples of the type of document that would use Javelin include: an electronic copy of a book in PDF format that has previously been purchased in print or other form via the publisher’s website or a traditional bookstore; notes to accompany a training course; intra-corporate technical manuals; and documents provided on a time-limited basis). Javelin does not support in-app purchasing or direct purchasing of digital content through other means. Advanced catalog-handling facilities provide a convenient means for publishers to provide access to their publications.

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

Screenshots

Javelin Reader2 screens
Highlights4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Highlights at 4.5 against Javelin Reader's 2.0. Highlights also leads on review sentiment (53% vs 19%) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 12 months). Javelin Reader's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and iOS requirement (9.3 vs 15.0). On price, ads and device support 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. Highlights sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Javelin Reader asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Highlights holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 2.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Highlights has 1.6K ratings behind it against 16, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 19% of Javelin Reader's written reviews are positive against 53% of Highlights's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Javelin Reader ships an update every 12 months, Highlights fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Javelin Reader versus Highlights: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterJavelin ReaderHighlights
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.0 (16 ratings)4.5 (1.6K ratings) — better
Positive reviews18.8% of reviews53.2% of reviews — better
Number of ratings161.6K — better
Update frequencyEvery 12 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS9.3 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size10 MB37 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDrumlinJonas Myren Ribe

Customer experience

Javelin Reader

All ratings16 ratings
Positive12.5%
Neutral18.8%
Negative68.8%
Written reviews16 reviews
Positive18.8%
Neutral18.8%
Negative62.5%

Highlights

All ratings1,619 ratings
Positive88.2%
Neutral3.7%
Negative8.1%
Written reviews466 reviews
Positive53.2%
Neutral15.2%
Negative31.5%

Bugs and requests

Javelin Reader

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or 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

In-app purchases

None

Javelin Reader

No 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

Questions

Is Javelin Reader free?
Javelin Reader is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Highlights free?
Highlights is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Javelin Reader or Highlights?
Highlights is rated higher. Javelin Reader averages 2.0 out of 5 from 16 ratings, while Highlights averages 4.5 from 1.6K ratings.
Do Javelin Reader or Highlights have ads?
Neither Javelin Reader nor Highlights shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Javelin Reader or Highlights?
Javelin Reader ships an update every 12 months, and Highlights fortnightly. Most recently, Javelin Reader was updated on October 2, 2026 and Highlights on October 12, 2026.

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