Highlights vs PureRef

Professional comparison and analysis to help you choose the right software solution for your needs.

Highlights

PureRef

Highlights vs PureRef: The Verdict

⚡ Summary:

Highlights: Highlights is a PDF annotation and note taking app for Windows, Mac, iOS and Android. It allows users to highlight, underline, strikethrough, add text notes, shapes and freehand drawings to PDF documents. Key features include organization of annotations by color category and easy export of notes.

PureRef: PureRef is a free, lightweight application for Windows that helps artists and designers quickly view visual references without cluttering their workspace. It's useful for keeping photos, drawings, webpages, etc. easily accessible while working on graphics, illustrations, presentations, documents, and more.

Both tools serve their respective audiences. Compare the features, pricing, and user ratings above to determine which best fits your needs.

Last updated: May 2026 · Comparison by Sugggest Editorial Team

Feature	Highlights	PureRef
Sugggest Score	—	—
Category	Office & Productivity	Photos & Graphics
Pricing	—	Free

Product Overview

Highlights

Description: Highlights is a PDF annotation and note taking app for Windows, Mac, iOS and Android. It allows users to highlight, underline, strikethrough, add text notes, shapes and freehand drawings to PDF documents. Key features include organization of annotations by color category and easy export of notes.

Type: software

PureRef

Description: PureRef is a free, lightweight application for Windows that helps artists and designers quickly view visual references without cluttering their workspace. It's useful for keeping photos, drawings, webpages, etc. easily accessible while working on graphics, illustrations, presentations, documents, and more.

Type: software

Pricing: Free

Key Features Comparison

Highlights Features

Highlight text
Add text notes
Draw shapes
Strikethrough text
Organize annotations by color
Export notes

PureRef Features

Tabbed interface to organize references
Resizable panels
Zoom and pan images
Minimal UI
Keyboard shortcuts
Search references
Fullscreen mode
Portable app
Dark mode

Pros & Cons Analysis

Highlights

Pros

Intuitive interface
Available on multiple platforms
Useful annotation tools
Syncs annotations across devices

Cons

Limited free version
No OCR text search
No collaboration features

PureRef

Pros

Lightweight and fast
Clean and simple interface
Easy to use
Good for quick reference viewing
Free with no ads or limitations

Cons

Limited features compared to full reference managers
No cloud sync
Windows only

Pricing Comparison

Highlights

Not listed

PureRef

Free

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