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Highlights vs Zotero

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

Highlights icon
Highlights
Zotero icon
Zotero

Highlights vs Zotero: 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.

Zotero: Zotero is a free, open-source reference management software that helps you collect, organize, cite, and share research sources. It works as a standalone program or browser extension that seamlessly integrates with Word, LibreOffice, and Google Docs.

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 Zotero
Sugggest Score — —
Category Office & Productivity Office & Productivity
Pricing — Free

Product Overview

Highlights
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

Zotero
Zotero

Description: Zotero is a free, open-source reference management software that helps you collect, organize, cite, and share research sources. It works as a standalone program or browser extension that seamlessly integrates with Word, LibreOffice, and Google Docs.

Type: software

Pricing: Free

Key Features Comparison

Highlights
Highlights Features
  • Highlight text
  • Add text notes
  • Draw shapes
  • Strikethrough text
  • Organize annotations by color
  • Export notes
Zotero
Zotero Features
  • Collect references from web pages, books, articles, and other sources
  • Organize references into collections and sub-collections
  • Annotate PDFs and attach notes to references
  • Generate citations and bibliographies in Word and Google Docs
  • Sync references and access them from multiple devices
  • Collaborate and share references with others
  • 300+ citation styles to choose from
  • Browser extension for one-click referencing
  • Open source and extensible

Pros & Cons Analysis

Highlights
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
Zotero
Zotero

Pros

  • Free and open source
  • Powerful organization and search tools
  • Seamlessly integrates with word processors
  • Syncs across devices
  • Great for collaboration
  • Extensive citation style support
  • Easy to use

Cons

  • Steep learning curve
  • Limited mobile apps
  • Can be slow with large libraries
  • Lacks some advanced features of paid tools
  • PDF annotation could be improved
  • Not ideal for image-based research

Pricing Comparison

Highlights
Highlights
  • Not listed
Zotero
Zotero
  • Free

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Learn More About Each Product

Highlights
Highlights
Reviews, pricing & alternatives →
Zotero
Zotero
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