Marginalia vs Dexxicon Reader
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Marginalia
Transform passive reading into active learning with this app. It functions as an EPUB and PDF reader with powerful note-taking and annotation tools, all stored locally for maximum privacy. Export your notes in Markdown format for seamless integration with other productivity tools.
- Personal EPUB and PDF library
- Keyboard and stylus annotation
- Multi-color highlighting
- Smart book navigation
- Customizable reading experience
- Offline-first and privacy-focused
- Markdown note exporting
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Marginalia is where your reading lives on: the quotes that stopped you, the thoughts they sparked and the books that shaped you, all in one place. Read EPUB and PDF books in a clean, distraction-free reader, or keep notes for the paper books on your shelf. Highlight a passage, write what you think in the margin, and come back to it anytime. NOTES THAT STAY WITH YOU - Highlight in color and add a note to any passage - Type, speak or handwrite your notes - Tag notes by your stance and topic, then filter them in seconds - Notebooks for paper books: save quotes and thoughts from books you read outside the app - Jump from any note straight back to its place in the book THINK DEEPER WITH AI - Discuss any note with an AI companion that knows the book, the quote and your stance, and helps you dig further SHARE AND EXPORT - Turn a favorite quote into a beautiful image for stories and posts - Export your notes as Markdown (ready for Obsidian and other note apps), Word or PDF BUILD A READING HABIT - Daily reading goal with streaks - Yearly book goal with your finished books on display - Reading timer for paper books MADE FOR READING - Adjustable fonts, margins and page colors, including sepia and dark - Full interface in 8 languages - Light and dark theme MARGINALIA PRO Voice and handwritten notes, all tag groups, Word and PDF export, and AI note discussions. Payment is charged to your Apple ID. Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel anytime in your App Store account settings. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Dexxicon Reader
Access and read your self-hosted digital library on your devices. Enjoy EPUBs, PDFs, comics, and audiobooks with synced progress, bookmarks, and highlights. Download content for offline access.
- EPUB, PDF, CBZ/CBR, and audiobook support
- Adjustable fonts, themes, and page layout
- Sync reading position, bookmarks, and highlights
- Offline reading with downloaded books
- Two-page spread view for comics on iPad
- Adaptive layout for phone and tablet
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Dexxicon Reader is a client for your own BookOrbit or Grimmory (BookLore) library server — not an app store or bookstore. Point it at your server, sign in, and your whole library is with you. READ EVERYTHING • EPUB novels with adjustable fonts, themes, and page layout • PDFs and comics (CBZ/CBR), including a two-page spread view on iPad • Audiobooks with lock-screen and Control Center playback controls YOUR LIBRARY, EVERYWHERE • Reading position, bookmarks, and highlights sync automatically with your server — pick up an EPUB on your phone exactly where you left off on your tablet • Reading status (Reading, On Hold, Read, and more) stays in sync with your server's own web app WORKS OFFLINE • Download books for offline reading — no connection needed once they're on your device SIGN IN YOUR WAY • Native username/password login, or single sign-on (OIDC/SSO) if your server has it configured BUILT FOR PHONE AND TABLET • A real adaptive layout, not a stretched phone screen — Library and Book Detail use the extra space on iPad, and the comic reader supports a genuine two-page spread on wider screens Dexxicon Reader supports both major self-hosted library platforms: • BookOrbit • Grimmory (BookLore) You'll need your own server running one of these — Dexxicon Reader is the reading app, not the library itself.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Dexxicon Reader at none against Marginalia's 3. Dexxicon Reader also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 9 days). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads 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
Both are free to download. Marginalia sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Dexxicon Reader asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Marginalia against 5.0 for Dexxicon Reader. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 1 respectively.
Marginalia ships an update every 9 days, Dexxicon Reader every 4 days. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.
| Parameter | Marginalia | Dexxicon Reader |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 9 days | Every 4 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.5 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 42 MB | 58 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | FURKAN TURGUT | Damien Ball |
Customer experience
Marginalia
Dexxicon Reader
In-app purchases
Marginalia
- Marginalia Pro - Monthly$4.991 Month
- Marginalia Pro - Yearly7 Days trial$24.991 Year
- Marginalia Pro Life Time$79.99
Dexxicon Reader
No in-app purchases









