Head-to-head · Research Data Management Software
Zenodo vs Figshare
Zenodo leads on 1 check, Figshare on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreZenodo · 9.4/10
- Free planboth
Zenodo scores higher on our rubric for research data management software: 9.4 against 9.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #2.
Zenodo leads on storage limit: 50 GB versus 20 GB.
Zenodo is the better fit for free, general-purpose research data publishing. Figshare is the better fit for institutions needing an integrated research repository.
- Zenodo fits best
Free, general-purpose research data publishing
- Figshare fits best
Institutions needing an integrated research repository
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Side by side
| Feature | Zenodo 9.4/10 Visit ↗ | Figshare 9.2/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.4 | 9.2 |
| Ranking | #1 in Research Data Management Software | #2 in Research Data Management Software |
| Best for | Free, general-purpose research data publishing | Institutions needing an integrated research repository |
| Pricing model | Free | Free plan + paid |
| Starting price | None | — |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Cloud | Cloud |
| Platforms | Web | Web |
| Support | Email, Docs | Email, Tickets, Docs |
| Compliance | GDPR | ISO 27001, GDPR |
| Integrations | 3 integrations | 8 integrations |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features Zenodo 2/3 · Figshare 2/3 | ||
| DMP templates | Not checked yet | — |
| Metadata standards | ✓ | ✓ |
| Persistent identifiers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Specs | ||
| Repository access | Managed | Managed |
| Storage limit | 50 GB (best) | 20 GB |
| Access controls | Both | Both |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | Zenodo is a general-purpose research repository from CERN for researchers and groups that need to share and preserve datasets, publications, software, and other digital research objects. Records combine files with descriptive metadata;… Read the review → |
Figshare provides repository services for individual researchers and organizations that need to store, share, showcase, and manage research outputs. Researchers can publish datasets, papers, code, media, and theses, while institutions can… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Zenodo — where it wins
- Publishes datasets, publications, software, and other research objects
- Assigns a DOI to each published record and supports versioning
- Offers public or restricted access, embargoes, and curated communities
Where it doesn't
- The default storage quota is 50 GB per record
- Cloud deployment may not suit teams requiring self-hosting
- Its broad repository scope may not fit specialized data workflows
Figshare — where it wins
- Publishes datasets, papers, code, media, and theses with DataCite DOIs
- Supports public, embargoed, and private-link sharing
- Connects with research systems, code hosts, and analytics services
Where it doesn't
- Figshare Plus is a one-time charge tied to storage and a project or publication
- Paid Plus tiers start at $1,225
- Institutional and publisher services require contacting Figshare
- Zenodo9.4/10 · Free plan
Free repository for publishing research objects with DOIs, versioning, and access controls.
Visit ZenodoFull verdict → - Figshare9.2/10 · Free plan
A repository for publishing, organizing, and tracking research outputs, with free and paid options.
Visit FigshareFull verdict →
More comparisons
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- Zenodo vs DMPonline
- Zenodo vs Digital Commons Data
- Zenodo vs PANGAEA
- Figshare vs ICPSR
- Figshare vs DaRUS
All research data management software comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update