EndNote vs ReadCube Papers

EndNote8.8Visit ReadCube Papers8.7Visit

Higher score EndNote #3 in Reference Management Software 8.8/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 1 of 3 features Visit EndNote

vs

ReadCube Papers #4 in Reference Management Software 8.7/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 1 of 3 features Try ReadCube Papers

• EndNote fits best

  Researchers needing deep citation-style coverage

• ReadCube Papers fits best

  Researchers wanting discovery and AI PDF tools

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Side by side

Feature	EndNote 8.8/10 Visit ↗	ReadCube Papers 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.8	8.7
Ranking	#3 in Reference Management Software	#4 in Reference Management Software
Best for	Researchers needing deep citation-style coverage	Researchers wanting discovery and AI PDF tools
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Paid
Starting price	—	—
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	30 days	30 days
Free trial length	30 days	30 days · no card needed
Money-back guarantee	30 days	14 days
Deployment	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Chrome extension	Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Chrome extension
Support	Email, Live chat, Phone, Community, Docs · 24/7	Email, Tickets, Docs
Integrations	7 integrations	9 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features EndNote 1/3 · ReadCube Papers 1/3
PDF annotation	✓	✓
Citation plugins	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Browser capture	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Storage limit	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Supported platforms	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Team collaboration	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Supports 7,500 citation styles and major word processors Combines reference retrieval, PDF annotation, and synchronization Includes shared groups, AI assistance, and browser-based PDF access	PDF annotation, organization, synchronization, and mobile access SmartCite works with Microsoft Word and Google Docs AI chat, publication search, and more than 10,000 citation styles
Cons	Paid-oriented model despite a listed free plan Pricing varies by upgrade, full, and student license eligibility The trial license upgrades automatically unless the user opts out	No free plan Advanced collaboration and administration require higher tiers Document delivery is an add-on
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 →	ReadCube Papers is reference-management software for students, academic researchers, research teams, and organizations. It combines centralized reference libraries with PDF storage, reading, annotation, highlighting, notes, browser-based… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• EndNote — where it wins

  • Supports 7,500 citation styles and major word processors
  • Combines reference retrieval, PDF annotation, and synchronization
  • Includes shared groups, AI assistance, and browser-based PDF access

  Where it doesn't

  • Paid-oriented model despite a listed free plan
  • Pricing varies by upgrade, full, and student license eligibility
  • The trial license upgrades automatically unless the user opts out

• ReadCube Papers — where it wins

  • PDF annotation, organization, synchronization, and mobile access
  • SmartCite works with Microsoft Word and Google Docs
  • AI chat, publication search, and more than 10,000 citation styles

  Where it doesn't

  • No free plan
  • Advanced collaboration and administration require higher tiers
  • Document delivery is an add-on

• EndNote8.8/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial

  A deep reference manager with broad citation support, PDF tools, and collaboration features.

  Visit EndNoteFull verdict →
• ReadCube Papers8.7/10 · 30-day trial

  A broad reference manager with strong PDF, discovery, collaboration, and AI tools.

  Try ReadCube PapersFull verdict →