Zotero vs EndNote

Zotero9.4Visit EndNote9.2Visit

Higher score Zotero #1 in Citation Management Software 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Zotero

vs

EndNote #2 in Citation Management Software 9.2/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 3 of 3 features Visit EndNote

• Zotero fits best

  Most researchers needing broad, free citation management

• EndNote fits best

  Researchers wanting a mature, full-featured suite

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Side by side

Feature	Zotero 9.4/10 Visit ↗	EndNote 9.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	9.2
Ranking	#1 in Citation Management Software	#2 in Citation Management Software
Best for	Most researchers needing broad, free citation management	Researchers wanting a mature, full-featured suite
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	$20/yr	—
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	30 days
Deployment	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome extension	Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Chrome extension
Support	Community, Docs, Email	Email, Live chat, Phone, Community, Docs · 24/7
Integrations	7 integrations	7 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Zotero 3/3 · EndNote 3/3
PDF annotation	✓	✓
Browser extension	✓	✓
Team collaboration	✓	✓
Specs
Citation styles	Not checked yet	7500 styles
Word processor support	Both	Both
Mobile apps	Both	Ios
Import formats	Zotero RDF, CSL JSON, BibTeX, BibLaTeX, RIS, Bibliontology RDF, MODS, EndNote XML, Citavi XML, MAB2, MARC, MARCXML, MEDLINE/nbib, OVID Tagged, PubMed XML, RefWorks Tagged, Web of Science Tagged, Refer/BibIX, XML ContextObject, Unqualified Dublin Core RDF	PDF, RIS, EndNote, Refer/BibIX, tab-delimited, XML, ISI-CE
Our review
Pros	Free core reference management with 300 MB of storage PDF annotation, browser capture, and extensive import support Plugins for Word, LibreOffice, and Google Docs	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
Cons	Paid storage subscriptions are needed for larger file libraries The many tools and settings may require time to organize Storage tiers are billed annually rather than monthly	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
Our verdict	Zotero is a reference-management application for students, researchers, educators, and research teams. It captures bibliographic information from webpages, organizes sources with collections, tags, and saved searches, and generates… Read the review →	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 →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Zotero — where it wins

  • Free core reference management with 300 MB of storage
  • PDF annotation, browser capture, and extensive import support
  • Plugins for Word, LibreOffice, and Google Docs

  Where it doesn't

  • Paid storage subscriptions are needed for larger file libraries
  • The many tools and settings may require time to organize
  • Storage tiers are billed annually rather than monthly

• 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

• Zotero9.4/10 · Free plan

  A flexible, free citation manager with strong capture, annotation, and writing-tool support.

  Visit ZoteroFull verdict →
• 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 →