EndNote vs RefWorks

EndNote9.2Visit RefWorks8.6Visit

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

vs

RefWorks #5 in Citation Management Software 8.6/10 Pricing on request ✓ 3 of 3 features Visit RefWorks

• EndNote fits best

  Researchers wanting a mature, full-featured suite

• RefWorks fits best

  Institutions needing administration and integrations

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Side by side

Feature	EndNote 9.2/10 Visit ↗	RefWorks 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.2	8.6
Ranking	#2 in Citation Management Software	#5 in Citation Management Software
Best for	Researchers wanting a mature, full-featured suite	Institutions needing administration and integrations
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Paid
Starting price	—	Pricing on request
Free plan	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Free trial	30 days	—
Deployment	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension	Cloud, Browser extension
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Chrome extension	Web, Chrome extension
Support	Email, Live chat, Phone, Community, Docs · 24/7	Phone, Live chat, Email, Docs
Integrations	7 integrations	15 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Mid-market, Enterprise
Features EndNote 3/3 · RefWorks 3/3
PDF annotation	✓	✓
Browser extension	✓	✓
Team collaboration	✓	✓
Specs
Citation styles	7500 styles	Not checked yet
Word processor support	Both	Both
Mobile apps	Ios	Not checked yet
Import formats	PDF, RIS, EndNote, Refer/BibIX, tab-delimited, XML, ISI-CE	Not checked yet
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	Supports PDF annotation, highlighting, and full-text organization Works with Microsoft Word and Google Docs for citations Offers broad research-database and library-system integrations
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	Pricing is handled through institutional sales conversations Its administration features may exceed individual researchers' needs The RefWorks name is expected to change later in 2026
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 →	RefWorks is a cloud-based reference management service for students, researchers, faculty, and academic institutions. It supports reference collection and organization, attached full-text documents, annotation, highlighting, shared… Read the review →

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

• RefWorks — where it wins

  • Supports PDF annotation, highlighting, and full-text organization
  • Works with Microsoft Word and Google Docs for citations
  • Offers broad research-database and library-system integrations

  Where it doesn't

  • Pricing is handled through institutional sales conversations
  • Its administration features may exceed individual researchers' needs
  • The RefWorks name is expected to change later in 2026

• 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 →
• RefWorks8.6/10 · Pricing on request

  A strong institutional reference manager with broad integrations and administration tools.

  Visit RefWorksFull verdict →