CitePlain review
A practical free option for browser-based citations and stable-key BibTeX output.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
CitePlain is a browser-based citation generator for students, researchers, and writers who need references from web pages, journal articles, books, tweets, YouTube videos, and podcasts. It accepts URLs, DOIs, and ISBNs, then produces citations in selected styles. The Free plan includes APA 7, MLA 9, Chicago 17, Vancouver, CSE, and BibTeX, along with a bibliography builder, browser extension, and device-local library. Browser access is available through the web app, with extensions for Chrome, Edge, and Firefox.
The free offering is unusually capable for batch citation work. Bibliographies can include up to 50 sources, and DOI fallback through Crossref supports identifier-based lookup. BibTeX export with stable cite keys is especially useful for workflows that move references into writing or research tools. Users who need broader style coverage, cloud access, or batch URL import can choose Pro at $4.99 per month or $39 per year. The annual plan includes 30+ citation styles, while the monthly plan includes 24 specialised styles. Both add cloud library synchronization across devices, web, and the browser extension.
The Lifetime plan costs $89 one time and includes everything in Pro forever, with no renewal or expiry; its email is transferable on request. Planned Word and Google Docs add-ins are described as shipping soon, so the current experience centers on the web app and browser extension. CitePlain fits users who want a free browser tool with broad source coverage, batch building, and BibTeX support. Users who require cloud synchronization should choose Pro, while those seeking an installed writing-suite workflow may prefer to wait for the add-ins or consider another tool.
CitePlain pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Free tier covers six citation styles and six source types
- Batch bibliographies support up to 50 sources
- BibTeX export uses stable cite keys
- Where it doesn't
- Cloud synchronization is reserved for Pro plans
- The Free plan uses a device-local browser library
- Word and Google Docs add-ins are shipping soon
CitePlain fact sheet, pricing and score →
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.
Last updated · How we research and update