MarginNote
by MarginNote
What MarginNote is
MarginNote is a study and note-taking app from MarginNote, founded in 2013. It brings reading highlights, mind-map notes, and flashcards into one study set on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. The app handles PDF, EPUB, web pages, and video, and automatically turns each highlight into a card. Its mind-map tools provide 10 styles, including tree, fishbone, timeline, concept map, and matrix. FSRS spaced repetition assigns a next review for each card. AI tools can summarize chapters, identify key terms, and create quiz questions for acceptance, editing, or rejection. OCR handles equations, tables, and handwriting, with advanced OCR listed for Max. Highlights sync between Mac and iPad through iCloud, and offline use is supported. Exports include Markdown, OPML, Anki, and mind-map formats. APKG import and export supports standard card types and image occlusion. Note sharing and many integrations are available, but real-time collaboration is not. Pricing includes listed one-time and subscription options, with a 14-day trial for Pro Lifetime and DMG plans.
Who it suits
MarginNote suits students and readers who want highlights, maps, flashcards, spaced repetition, and AI study tools across Apple devices. It also fits people who need offline reading, exports, or shared notes without live collaboration.
What it does well
- Combines highlights, maps, and flashcards
- Supports PDF, EPUB, web pages, and video
- Includes FSRS spaced repetition
- Offers 10 mind-map styles
- Works offline with broad integrations
What to know first
- No real-time collaboration
- No official BYOK option
- Some plans are device-specific
- Max monthly credits end after three years on lifetime plan
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Pro lifetime | Permanent license; iPhone/iPad only · iPhone/iPad only · 500 AI credits | $12.99 a month |
| Max annual | Includes a 1-month free trial · iPhone, iPad, and Mac · 500 AI credits per month | $16.99 a year |
| Max lifetime | Permanent license; monthly AI credits stop after 3 years · iPhone, iPad, and Mac · 500 AI credits per month · 3 years of monthly AI credits | $51.99 a month |
| DMG Standard | Mac only | On request |
| DMG Premium upgrade | Mac only | On request |
| Premium upgrade pack (Mac DMG) | + $10 upgrade pack · Add-on to Standard · Mac only · no monthly AI credits included | $10, paid once |
| Pro Lifetime (App Store) | One-time · iPhone and iPad only · 500 AI credits one-time gift · no Mac access | $12.99, paid once |
| Max Annual Subscription (App Store) | $16.99/year; auto-renews after a 1-month free trial · iPhone, iPad, and Mac · 500 AI credits per month while subscribed | $16.99 a year |
The first 8 of 10 plans, as marginnote.com lists them, read 20 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word. Every plan
Verdict
MarginNote combines reading, organization, review, and quiz creation in one Apple-focused study workspace. Check the plan details carefully because device access, AI credits, and billing differ by option.
Facts from MarginNote's own pages
- AI features
- The AI can summarize chapters, surface key terms, and generate quiz questions that users can accept, edit, or reject. · marginnote.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Anki compatibility
- The Anki page says MarginNote supports importing and exporting APKG decks, including standard card types and image occlusion. · marginnote.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Automatic cards
- The site says every highlight becomes a card automatically. · marginnote.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Export
- The research workflow page lists export to Markdown, OPML, Anki, and mind-map formats. · marginnote.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 2013 · marginnote.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · marginnote.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Integrations
- The research workflow page says users can drop PDFs from Zotero, Dropbox, or iCloud into a MarginNote notebook. · marginnote.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Mind maps
- MarginNote lists 10 mind-map styles, including tree, fishbone, timeline, concept map, and matrix. · marginnote.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Notable limit
- The FAQ states there is currently no official BYOK option for user-provided OpenAI or Claude API keys. · marginnote.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Note sharing
- Yes · marginnote.com, 20 Sept 2026
- OCR
- OCR supports equations, tables, and handwriting; advanced OCR is listed as a Max feature. · marginnote.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Offline access
- Yes · marginnote.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Offline use
- The homepage states that MarginNote works offline. · marginnote.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Supported platforms
- macos,ios · marginnote.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Purpose
- MarginNote keeps reading highlights, mind-map notes, and flashcards together in a study set. · marginnote.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Real-time collaboration
- No · marginnote.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Spaced repetition
- MarginNote includes FSRS spaced repetition and says it gives each card a personally optimal next review. · marginnote.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Support contact
- The pricing page directs institutional bulk purchase inquiries to [email protected] and says the team replies in 1–2 business days. · marginnote.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Supported files
- The product supports PDF, EPUB, web pages, and video. · marginnote.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Sync
- The site says Mac and iPad highlights sync across devices via iCloud. · marginnote.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Trial terms
- The pricing page lists a 14-day trial for Pro Lifetime and the DMG plans, and a 1-month trial for Max Annual. · marginnote.com, 11 Oct 2026
Where MarginNote stands on Freedom251
- Note-taking apps#190 of 216