- Zotero alternatives in one table
- Ten reference managers to try
- Choose by the way you write
- Citation styles are rarely the deciding factor
- Moving a library without losing your notes
- What to ask before you switch
- Signs your current setup isn't working
- My plain advice on choosing a reference manager
- Frequently asked questions
The best Zotero alternatives depend on how you write: some reference managers work inside Google Docs or Word, some are built around LaTeX and BibTeX, some are Mac-only apps for long projects, and some are simple citation generators for one-off bibliographies. Ten options follow, including free and open source choices, and the right one is the one that fits your writing tool.
A reference manager is one of those tools you don't think about until a deadline. Then the PDFs won't sync, the citation style is wrong, or your supervisor uses something different and you need to share a library.
The ten tools below are listed alphabetically and in no particular order, and every description comes from the company's own website, read this week. If you're about to start a big piece of writing, my guide to starting a research paper pairs well with whichever tool you pick.
Zotero alternatives in one table
I checked the free plan column on each tool's own website, as of Oct 2026. Yes means the site names a free plan, a free version, a free account or an open source version. Trial only means a time-limited trial. Not stated means the pages I read named neither, even where there's a button inviting you to start for free, so check the provider's page before you sign up.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bookends | Reference manager for Mac | Long documents and theses | Yes |
| Citationsy | Citation and reference list tool | Quick reference lists without clutter | Not stated |
| Citavi | Reference and knowledge management | Windows users organising big literature reviews | Trial only |
| EndNote | Citation and reference manager | Researchers at universities that license it | Not stated |
| JabRef | Open source reference manager | LaTeX and BibTeX users | Yes |
| Lean Library Workspace | Reference manager and generator | Former Sciwheel users | Not stated |
| Mendeley | Reference manager | Free storage for your PDFs | Yes |
| MyBib | Free citation generator | One-off bibliographies in APA, Harvard or MLA | Yes |
| Paperpile | Reference manager | Google Docs writers | Trial only |
| ReadCube Papers | Literature management software | Reading and annotating papers | Not stated |
Ten reference managers to try
Bookends
Best for: Mac users who want a full-featured reference manager for papers and books, with a free demo version to try first.
Citationsy
Best for: Students who want to create citations, reference lists and bibliographies quickly in a calm, ad-free tool.
Citavi
Best for: Researchers who want reference management with AI help for organising literature and knowledge, after testing it with a free trial.
EndNote
Best for: University staff and PhD students who want to summarise, translate, organise and cite with a long-established tool many universities already support.
JabRef
Best for: LaTeX writers who want a free, open source manager built around BibTeX, used by students and researchers since 2003.
Lean Library Workspace
Best for: Former Sciwheel users and students who want references, library access and citation styles such as Harvard and APA in one workspace.
Mendeley
Best for: Researchers who want a free, all-in-one reference manager with free storage for papers, plus AI help spotting links between references.
MyBib
Best for: Students who mainly need a free citation generator for APA, Harvard and MLA rather than a full research library.
Paperpile
Best for: Writers who live in Google Docs and want a reference manager with a Docs plugin, Word plugin and browser extension, after a free trial.
ReadCube Papers
Best for: Scientists who want to discover, read, organise and cite literature in one place, with answers drawn from a huge publication index.
Choose by the way you write
- Google Docs: Paperpile.
- LaTeX and BibTeX: JabRef.
- Long projects on a Mac: Bookends.
- A free library with storage for PDFs: Mendeley.
- Quick one-off bibliographies: MyBib or Citationsy.
- A university that already licenses one: EndNote, Citavi or ReadCube Papers.
Citation styles are rarely the deciding factor
The Citation Style Language (CSL) project says it maintains a crowdsourced repository with over 10,000 free CSL citation styles. Many modern reference managers draw on styles like these to format references.
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That means almost any journal or university style is covered, so don't choose a tool on styles alone. Look instead at where you write, how you collect PDFs and whether you need to share a library with others.
Moving a library without losing your notes
Most reference managers import and export common formats such as RIS and BibTeX, which carry your references across. Notes, highlights and folder structures don't always travel as neatly.
Try a small test export first, then check a handful of references with notes attached. If something important doesn't come across, keep a read-only copy of your old library rather than deleting it.
What to ask before you switch
- Does it work in Word, Google Docs or LaTeX?
- Can it import my library in RIS or BibTeX?
- Will my notes and highlights come across?
- How much storage is there for PDFs?
- Can I share folders with co-authors?
- Does my university already provide a licence?
Signs your current setup isn't working
- You retype references. A manager with a plugin saves hours.
- Co-authors use something else. Agree one shared tool.
- Your PDFs are scattered. Pick a tool with storage.
- You write in LaTeX. Choose one built around BibTeX.
Do you make reference management or citation tools? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on choosing a reference manager
Ask your library first. Many universities already license a reference manager and run training for it, and that support is worth a lot when a thesis deadline is close.
If you're on your own, pick the tool that lives where you write, and keep your references exported somewhere safe every few months. If you're experimenting with AI for drafting, my guide to using AI on a research paper covers what's sensible and what isn't.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best alternative to Zotero?
It depends on where you write. Some reference managers suit Google Docs, others suit Word, LaTeX or long projects on a Mac.
Is there a free alternative to Zotero?
Yes. Several reference managers are free or open source, and some citation generators are free for quick bibliographies.
Can I move my Zotero library to another tool?
Usually, yes. Export your library as RIS or BibTeX and import it into the new tool, then check that notes and attachments came across.
Which reference manager works with Google Docs?
Some reference managers offer a Google Docs plugin. Check each tool's own page for the writing apps it supports.
How many citation styles are there?
The Citation Style Language project says its repository holds over 10,000 free CSL citation styles.
Do I need a reference manager for one essay?
Not always. A free citation generator can be enough for a single essay, while a full reference manager helps with dissertations and research.
