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MarginNote - Free AI Tool

MarginNote

Deep reading and study app for organizing textbook information.

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Paid
Trending
What is MarginNote?
MarginNote is a study environment that integrates document annotation with note organization. Its core mechanism converts highlights from PDFs, EPUBs, or webpages into individual note cards. These cards retain a bidirectional link to the source and can be arranged into ten mind map layouts, including tree and concept map styles. This structure addresses fragmented research by unifying annotations and notes into a single study set, featuring AI summarization, quiz generation, and OCR. Sync options for its cross-platform database include CloudKit, WebDAV, and Google Drive. The software is built for users in text-intensive fields like medicine, law, and academic research. A medical student can turn textbook annotations into an FSRS flashcard deck for USMLE prep. A PhD candidate might

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Key Benefits & Features
✓
PDF-native annotation with automatic card creation
✓
Mind map with 10 styles (tree, fishbone, timeline, concept map, matrix)
✓
Flashcards with FSRS spaced repetition
✓
Bidirectional links between cards and source pages
✓
Immersive Mode with Recall (blurred highlights for active recall)
✓
MarginNote AI: summarization, key term extraction, quiz generation
✓
OCR for equations, tables, and handwriting
✓
Supports PDF, EPUB, web pages, and video
✓
Title links: old notes automatically appear in new documents
✓
Extended Note (留白): long-press on PDF to create writing space
✓
Sync and backup: local, WebDAV, Baidu Netdisk, Google Drive, CloudKit
✓
Database channel and Max advanced workflows
✓
AI OCR templates and AI translation
✓
AI 拆书
✓
AI Q&A and AI card generation
MarginNote Pricing
Pricing modelPaid
Starting price¥88 / One-time
Free planNo
Free trialAvailable
BillingAnnual

Detailed Pricing Info

MarginNote 4 is sold via App Store (iPhone + iPad + Mac) and DMG (Mac direct purchase). App Store plans: Pro buyout ¥88 (iPhone/iPad only, no Mac, no advanced OCR, 500 AI credits one-time), Max subscription ¥118/year (all platforms, all Max-level features, 500 AI credits/month), Max buyout ¥368 (all platforms, all Max-level features, 500 AI credits/month for 3 years). DMG plans: Standard ¥249 (Mac only, equivalent to Pro), Premium +¥70 upgrade (Mac only, equivalent to Max but no monthly AI credits). Additional AI credit packs: 500 credits ¥10, 3000 credits ¥52, 20000 credits ¥298. Free trials: 1 month for Max subscription (auto-renew), 14 days for Pro buyout and DMG.
Pros & Cons of MarginNote
Pros
  • Integrates PDF reading, mind mapping, and flashcards into a single, deeply connected study ecosystem.
  • Enables users to build complex mind maps by organizing notes and excerpts from multiple documents.
  • Turns annotations and mind map nodes directly into flashcards for spaced repetition review sessions.
Cons
  • The application has a notoriously steep learning curve due to its feature depth and complexity.
  • Users consistently report that the iCloud sync functionality is buggy, unreliable, and can lead to data loss.
Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Pro and Max?

Pro is a single-platform (iPhone/iPad) buyout with standard features and no advanced OCR or database channel. Max includes all platforms (iPhone, iPad, Mac), advanced OCR, AI features, database channel, and monthly AI credits. Max subscription and Max buyout have identical Max-level features; the only difference is AI credit duration.

How do AI credits work?

AI credits are consumable. Max subscription gives 500 credits per month during the subscription. Max buyout gives 500 credits per month for the first 3 years after purchase. After 3 years, you need to purchase additional credit packs to continue using AI. Pro includes a one-time 500 credits with no expiry.

Can I use MarginNote on Mac if I buy Pro?

App Store Pro does not include Mac. To use MarginNote on Mac, you can choose Max or purchase the Mac-only DMG Standard version.

What is the DMG version?

DMG is a Mac direct purchase version using Paddle activation codes. It is an alternative to App Store for Mac users. Standard is equivalent to Pro (Mac only), Premium is equivalent to Max (Mac only) but does not include monthly AI credits. You can extend to iOS by purchasing Pro on App Store and sharing Max features.

How does the free trial work?

App Store Max annual subscription offers 1 month free trial (auto-renews unless cancelled). Pro buyout and DMG offer 14-day free trial with no auto-renewal.
Classification

Main Categories

education

Related Topics

#education
#ai-tool
#2026
#marginnote
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Categoryeducation
Pricing ModelPaid
Global RatingNo reviews yet
Free Plan AvailableNo
Last Updated10/11/2026
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