7 Best Apps for Managing Reading Highlights in 2026 — Compared

You've highlighted dozens of passages across dozens of books — on your Kindle, your Kobo, or a device running KOReader. Now what? Getting those highlights somewhere useful, somewhere you'll actually return to them, is where most readers get stuck.

This guide compares the seven best tools for managing reading highlights in 2026. We've covered Kindle highlights, Kobo highlights, and KOReader specifically — because the right tool depends heavily on which device and firmware you use.

1. Readwise — best all-round highlight manager

Readwise is the best-known tool in this space and for good reason. It syncs highlights automatically from Kindle, Kobo, Apple Books, Instapaper and more, then resurfaces them daily via email or their app using a spaced repetition system. It's been the go-to for serious readers for years.

In recent years Readwise has shifted much of its focus toward Readwise Reader — a full read-later app — which means the original highlight management tool has seen fewer updates. Some users feel the core product has been deprioritised. It's also one of the more expensive options, at $7.99/month.

2. Luminaria — best highlight manager for Kobo and KOReader

Luminaria is built specifically for viewing and browsing your e-reader highlights — not as a layer on top of another tool, but as the destination itself. It has the strongest support for KOReader and Kobo native firmware of any tool here, and also handles Kindle My Clippings and Readwise exports.

The focus is on reading your highlights beautifully: full-text search across all your books, favourites, a rotating quote from your library on the home screen, and a clean interface that gets out of the way. Unlike most tools, highlights stay in your browser unless you choose to sync — no account needed to get started.

For KOReader users specifically, the Luminaria plugin syncs highlights automatically over WiFi. You can also import directly from a Kobo via USB, export to Obsidian for free, or export to Notion and PDF with a paid plan.

3. Obsidian — best for building a reading knowledge base

Obsidian is a local-first note-taking app built around linked notes and markdown files. It's not a highlight manager by design, but many readers use it as one — either by importing highlights manually, using a Readwise integration, or via the Luminaria Obsidian plugin.

The appeal is complete ownership. Your notes live as plain markdown files on your own device, never in someone else's cloud. The downside is that getting highlights into Obsidian requires more setup than any other tool here — it's a destination, not a sync service.

4. Notion — best if you already live in Notion

Notion is a flexible workspace that many readers use to store highlights alongside book notes, reading lists and reviews. It works well as a personal reading database, and both Readwise and Luminaria can export highlights directly into a Notion workspace.

The main limitation is that Notion is a general-purpose tool — there's no spaced repetition, no highlight-focused browsing, and no e-reader sync built in. It's a good destination for highlights you've already processed, not a highlight manager in its own right.

5. Kindle native highlights — best for Kindle-only readers

If you read exclusively on a Kindle, Amazon provides basic highlight management built in. Your highlights sync automatically to your account and are viewable at read.amazon.com or in the Kindle app. You can browse by book and export them via the My Clippings.txt file on the device.

The interface is dated and search is limited, but if you're a Kindle-only reader who just wants to occasionally review a passage, it costs nothing and requires no setup. The main limitation is that it only works for Kindle books — library loans, sideloaded books and PDFs aren't included.

6. Kobo native highlights — built in, with limitations

Kobo devices have basic highlight functionality built into the native Nickel firmware. Highlights are stored in the device's SQLite database and can be viewed within the Kobo reading app. There's no dedicated web viewer — to access them on a computer you need to either connect via USB or use a third-party tool.

The easiest way to get Kobo highlights into a proper viewing tool is via Luminaria's direct USB import — connect your Kobo, select the KoboReader.sqlite file from the hidden .kobo folder, and your highlights appear instantly without any exporting. Alternatively, Readwise supports Kobo sync via email if you're on their paid plan.

7. Commonplace — best for Apple Books users

Commonplace is a Mac and iOS app specifically designed for Apple Books highlight management. It syncs your Apple Books highlights automatically and presents them in a clean, reading-focused interface. It's a niche tool but it does its specific job well.

The limitation is that it's Apple Books only — if you read on a Kindle or Kobo alongside your Apple Books library, Commonplace won't help with those. For a multi-device reading life, one of the broader tools above is a better fit.

Full comparison table

Here's how the seven tools compare across the features that matter most for e-reader users:

Which one should you use?

The right tool depends on your device, your workflow, and how deeply you want to engage with your highlights.

If you read on a Kobo or use KOReader, Luminaria is the obvious starting point — it's the only tool here built specifically around the Kobo/KOReader workflow, it's free to start, and it doesn't require an account. If you later want spaced repetition and daily review, Readwise adds that layer on top. If you want your highlights in Obsidian, Luminaria exports directly there for free.

Many readers end up using two tools: Luminaria for browsing and Obsidian for deeper processing. The two are designed to work together — Luminaria's Obsidian plugin syncs your highlights directly into your vault automatically.