Citation Management Tools
Zotero, Refworks, Endnote: these three popular citation managers provide the same basic features and functionality with some exceptions. Below are a few scenarios that might be helpful when choosing a citation manager. Once you have narrowed down the choices, the rest is personal preference. Some tips: Consult the comparison chart below for specific features. Talk to people in your department – some disciplines tend to use one tool more than others. Consult your subject librarian for a recommendation. For a more complete list of citation management options see this Comparison of reference management software article.
Citation Manager Comparison Chart
| Features | EndNote | RefWorks | Zotero |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Cost |
Cost covered by Libraries |
Cost covered by Libraries (continued availability to alumni) |
Free |
|
Share resources w/ others |
Using EndNote Sync |
Using Group Libraries |
|
|
Social network |
No |
No |
Follow profiles, join public group libraries at zotero.org |
|
Compatible w/ current browsers |
n/a desktop app |
Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari, |
Firefox, Chrome & Safari |
|
Direct export from databases |
Can search some databases from within EndNote Direct export from Web of Science Indirect export using ResearchSoft Direct Export Helper |
One-click via browser connectors |
|
|
Creates formatted bibliographies, in-text citations, & footnotes |
Yes, using Write While You Cite |
Yes, using Write-N-Cite or using the RefWorks Citation Manager |
Quick copy or right-click options. Word processor plugins installed automatically. |
|
Store PDFs |
Yes |
PDFs stored on your personal computer |
|
|
Annotate PDFs |
Yes |
Not directly through Zotero, 3rd party app support |
|
|
Extract data from PDFs |
Yes |
||
|
Citation styles |
4,200+, with 2,000+ CSL's and the ability to create and modify styles |
||
|
Access |
|
Download from zotero.org |
|
|
Mobile Technology |
EndNote Online (with fewer features) iPad compatible through EndNote Sync |
Responsive design |
The Zotero Bookmarklet allows you to save items from your mobile device's browser directly to your zotero.org account. |
|
Accessibility |
|
|
Zotero is based on Mozilla, which has a good record of working with the JAWS reader |
|
Word Processor Citation/Bibliography creation capabilities |
MS Word |
MS Word and Google Docs |
Word processor plugins downloaded automatically. Works with Microsoft Word, OpenOffice, and Google Docs |
