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Head-to-head · Citation Management Software

EndNote vs Bookends

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score EndNote #2 in Citation Management Software 9.2/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 3 of 3 features Visit EndNote
Bookends #18 in Citation Management Software 7.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 3 features Visit Bookends

EndNote leads on 1 check, Bookends on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreEndNote · 9.2/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly EndNote
  • Most featuresEndNote · 3 of 3

EndNote scores higher on our rubric for citation management software: 9.2 against 7.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #18.

EndNote offers browser extension; Bookends doesn't. On word processor support, EndNote gives you Both where Bookends offers Microsoft_word.

EndNote is the better fit for researchers wanting a mature, full-featured suite. Bookends is the better fit for mac and iOS academic researchers.

  • EndNote fits best

    Researchers wanting a mature, full-featured suite

  • Bookends fits best

    Mac and iOS academic researchers

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature EndNote 9.2/10 Visit ↗ Bookends 7.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 7.0
Ranking #2 in Citation Management Software #18 in Citation Management Software
Best for Researchers wanting a mature, full-featured suite Mac and iOS academic researchers
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price — $14.99/yr
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 30 days —
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Chrome extension macOS, iOS
Support Email, Live chat, Phone, Community, Docs · 24/7 Email, Tickets, Community, Docs
Integrations 7 integrations 8 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features EndNote 3/3 · Bookends 2/3
PDF annotation ✓ ✓
Browser extension ✓ (best) —
Team collaboration ✓ ✓
Specs
Citation styles 7500 styles Not checked yet
Word processor support Both Microsoft_word
Mobile apps Ios Ios
Import formats PDF, RIS, EndNote, Refer/BibIX, tab-delimited, XML, ISI-CE EndNote XML, RIS, BibTeX, PubMed, SenteXML
Our review
Pros
  • Supports 7,500 citation styles and multiple word processors
  • Combines PDF annotation, database search, and reference management
  • Works across web, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Chrome
  • PDF reading, markup, annotation and metadata importing
  • Microsoft Word integration with citation and bibliography formatting
  • iCloud and Wi-Fi sync plus shared libraries for collaborators
Cons
  • Paid licenses may be more than simpler citation tools
  • Advanced features can be more than occasional users need
  • The trial converts to a license unless the user opts out
  • Platform coverage is limited to macOS and iOS
  • iOS Standard and Premium purchases are separate from Mac licensing
  • Free versions include reference or search limits
Our verdict

EndNote is reference-management software for students, researchers, academics, and institutions. It stores bibliographic records and attached files, imports references from databases and PDFs, searches online scholarly resources, and…

Read the review →

Bookends is reference management software for students, researchers and professionals working across Mac, iPhone and iPad. It combines academic database and library searching with reference metadata importing, PDF organization, annotation,…

Read the review →
  1. EndNoteCitation Management Software 9.2Free plan · 30-day trial
  2. BookendsCitation Management Software 7.0Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • EndNote — where it wins

    • Supports 7,500 citation styles and multiple word processors
    • Combines PDF annotation, database search, and reference management
    • Works across web, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Chrome

    Where it doesn't

    • Paid licenses may be more than simpler citation tools
    • Advanced features can be more than occasional users need
    • The trial converts to a license unless the user opts out

  • Bookends — where it wins

    • PDF reading, markup, annotation and metadata importing
    • Microsoft Word integration with citation and bibliography formatting
    • iCloud and Wi-Fi sync plus shared libraries for collaborators

    Where it doesn't

    • Platform coverage is limited to macOS and iOS
    • iOS Standard and Premium purchases are separate from Mac licensing
    • Free versions include reference or search limits
  • EndNote9.2/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial

    A mature citation suite with broad writing support, PDF tools, collaboration, and AI assistance.

    Visit EndNoteFull verdict →
  • Bookends7.0/10 · Free plan

    A Mac-and-iOS reference manager with PDF tools, writing integrations and shared libraries.

    Visit BookendsFull verdict →

More comparisons

All citation management software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update