StrataRead
PDF-first reading for macOS and iPadOS, designed around annotation and getting insights into your note-taking workflow.
Overview
StrataRead is built for reading and annotating PDFs with the assumption that your real thinking happens in notes and writing—Obsidian, StrataWrite, and other tools you already use.
Platforms: macOS & iPadOS
Focus: reading, annotation, and organizing PDFs for research workflows
Privacy: no tracking, no analytics; data stays on-device or in iCloud (if enabled)
Best for: researchers who annotate heavily and want to move highlights/notes into a thinking system
Works well with: Obsidian, StrataWrite, and other note-taking workflows
Support: stance@mac.com
How StrataRead Fits a Research Workflow
1) Read & annotate
- Keep PDFs organized for rapid access during research and writing
- Use annotations to capture arguments, methods, and quotable claims
2) Move insights into notes
- Use StrataRead as the reading surface
- Use your note system (Obsidian, StrataWrite) as the synthesis surface
Key Ideas
Annotation-first: StrataRead is designed around what matters in scholarly reading: marking up PDFs and extracting meaning.
Library-minded: Keep PDFs organized so you can find what you need quickly—especially during writing.
Apple-native: A SwiftUI app built on native Apple frameworks for a clean, responsive experience.
Calm by default: Minimal interface, fewer knobs, more reading.
Screenshots
