Researchist: PDF Reader

The Academic Reading App

Free · In-App Purchases

Researchist is the PDF reader designed for academic reading. Import a paper and it becomes more than a static document: references turn into links, sections get concise summaries, and figures and tables are one tap away. READ WITHOUT FRICTION • A focused reading experience built for research papers • Open papers in tabs, or side by side in multiple windows • Highlight with Apple Pencil and attach notes • See all your highlights and notes together in one place, ready to review and share PAPER INTELLIGENCE (BETA) Researchist analyzes each paper using Apple Intelligence • Automatic table of contents, even for PDFs without one • Per-section summaries with key points that link straight back to the paragraph they came from • Figures and tables extracted with their captions for quick reference • Title, authors, and metadata found automatically FOLLOW THE CITATION TRAIL • References and in-text citations are extracted and linked • Tap any citation to see the full reference without losing your place • See how often each work is cited throughout the paper • Jump from a reference to the linked paper with a single tap BUILD YOUR RESEARCH LIBRARY • Organize papers into collections • Personalize your library with color themes and cover styles • Import your existing library from Zotero • Find any paper or note from Spotlight • Create and manage notes with Shortcuts and Apple Intelligence via App Intents WORKS WITH ESSAYIST Researchist and Essayist share the same reference library through iCloud. Papers you add on one device or in either app are automatically available everywhere you work. PRIVATE BY DESIGN All AI analysis runs entirely on your device — your documents never leave it. Researchist collects no analytics by default and never uploads your papers. Network access is used only for public metadata lookup, downloading linked papers, and optional Zotero import. FREE AND PRO
Reading, highlighting, and notes are free. Researchist Pro unlocks Paper Intelligence, collections, quick access to linked articles, and color themes & cover styles. Paper Intelligence (Beta) requires an Apple Intelligence compatible device. Start your personal research knowledge base today. Terms of Use: https://www.essayist.app/terms Privacy Policy: https://www.essayist.app/privacy

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The developer, Essayist Software Inc., indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

  • Data Not Linked to You

    The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity:

    • Purchases
    • Identifiers
    • Usage Data
    • Diagnostics
    • Other Data

Privacy practices may vary based, for example, on the features you use or your age. Learn More

Accessibility

The developer has not yet indicated which accessibility features this app supports. Learn More

Information

Seller
  • Essayist Software Inc.
Size
  • 118.1 MB
Category
  • Productivity
Compatibility
Requires iOS 27.0 or later.
  • iPhone
    Requires iOS 27.0 or later.
  • iPad
    Requires iPadOS 27.0 or later.
  • Mac
    Requires macOS 27.0 or later and a Mac with Apple M1 chip or later.
  • Apple Vision
    Requires visionOS 27.0 or later.
Languages
  • English
Age Rating
4+
In-App Purchases
Yes
Copyright
  • © 2026 Essayist Software Inc.
  • Developer Website
  • Privacy Policy

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