# PDF research on the page

> Chat-with-PDF tools extract answers and leave the document behind. BetterReads treats papers as books: contents, notes, and Ask stay beside the page you are reading.

**For:** Students and researchers who mark up PDFs without abandoning the argument.

## Research tools

Import a PDF and keep structure and memory attached to the document—not a chat transcript that forgets the page.

- Contents / outline beside the document
- Painted find and highlights
- Figure capture
- Ask that jumps back to what it quoted
- Web and Mac research reader

## Part of the reading super-app

This feature ships in the same BetterReads account as classics with companions, the shelf log, your own EPUB/PDF/audiobook imports, PDF research, LibriVox listen-along, Study, and sync—on web, iOS, Android, and Mac. See the reading-system overview for the full stack. Start free; Scholar unlocks full companions and deeper study.

## FAQ

### Is this only for classics?

No. PDF import is for essays, scans, and papers you bring—part of the same reading system as the public-domain library.

## Related

- [Reading system overview](https://www.betterreads.dev/guides/reading-system)
- [E-reader guide](https://www.betterreads.dev/guides/best-ereader-app)
- [PDF research blog](https://www.betterreads.dev/blog/web-pdf-reader-for-research)

Updated: 2026-09-27

HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/guides/pdf-research-reader