Comparison

Marginalia E vs Dexxicon Reader

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

Head to head
About

Marginalia E

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

Marginalia is an advanced note-taking app designed for you to take notes, highlight, and add handwritten annotations while reading your e-books. Key Features: - Support for EPUB and PDF files - Personalize your books with notes, highlights, and handwritten annotations - Voice dictation - take notes by speaking instead of typing - Full interface support in 8 languages - Organize and tag notes by page - Export your notes as Word, PDF, or Markdown - Dark/Light theme support - Unlock premium features with flexible subscriptions Rediscover reading with Marginalia — every page becomes your collaborative workspace. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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

Marginalia E4 screens
Dexxicon Reader2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Dexxicon Reader at none against Marginalia E's 3. Dexxicon Reader also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs every 8 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Marginalia E sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Dexxicon Reader asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Marginalia E against 5.0 for Dexxicon Reader. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 1 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Marginalia E ships an update every 8 days, Dexxicon Reader every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Marginalia E versus Dexxicon Reader: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMarginalia EDexxicon Reader
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings11
Update frequencyEvery 8 daysEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemiumFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.5 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size42 MB58 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperFURKAN TURGUTDamien Ball

Customer experience

Marginalia E

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Dexxicon Reader

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Marginalia E

Subscriptions2
  • Marginalia Pro - Monthly$1.991 Month
  • Marginalia Pro - Yearly$6.991 Year
One-time1
  • Marginalia Pro Life Time$9.99
None

Dexxicon Reader

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Marginalia E free?
Marginalia E is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Dexxicon Reader free?
Dexxicon Reader is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Marginalia E or Dexxicon Reader?
Marginalia E and Dexxicon Reader are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 1 ratings respectively.
Do Marginalia E or Dexxicon Reader have ads?
Neither Marginalia E nor Dexxicon Reader shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Marginalia E or Dexxicon Reader?
Marginalia E ships an update every 8 days, and Dexxicon Reader every 2 days. Most recently, Marginalia E was updated on October 7, 2026 and Dexxicon Reader on October 10, 2026.

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