A reference management tool is a software for storing and managing information resources. Generally, a reference management tool can help you:
- import references from search engines, databases and websites
- save PDFs, images and other documents
- annotate PDFs
- insert citations and create bibliographies on Word documents
- collaborate with other researchers
EndNote, Mendeley and Zotero are the most popular reference management tools used by many researchers and students.
Find more details about these three tools in the following comparison table and detailed instructions in our online guides for each tool.
EndNote, Mendeley and Zotero: which is the best tool for you
The following comparison table of EndNote, Mendeley and Zotero may help you choose a right tool to meet your research needs.
| EndNote | Mendeley | Zotero | |
| Software support | AUT Library supports the use of EndNote (online guide, workshops and consultations)Software support is provided by AUT ICT ServicesEndNote website provides online training materials and a blog | Mendeley website provides online training materials to support its users | Zotero website provides training materials and discussion forums/ blog for its users |
| Cost | Available in all AUT computersAUT users can download a copy of this software free from the AUT website to a personal computerNon- AUT members need to pay for using this software | FreeAUT holds Mendeley institutional membership. Use your AUT email to register your Mendeley account for more user benefitsOther option: free account for up to 2GB personal storage. Users can pay for extra online storage | Free for 300MB online storage Can pay for extra online storage |
| Operating systems | Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10MacOS 10.10 and aboveCheck the EndNote website for more details and latest updates. | Windows 7 (x64 and x86), Windows 8.1 (x64 and x86), Windows 10 (x64 and x86) MacOS 10.10 (Yosemite), MacOS 10.11 (EI Capitan)LinuxCheck the Mendeley website for more details and latest updates. | Windows: XP SP1 or laterMacOS: 10.9 or laterLinuxCheck the Zotero website for more details and latest updates. |
| Devices&Online versions | DesktopOnline – EndNote OnlineEndNote Online also provides a Matching publication feature that enable researchers to find the right journal for publishingFree iPad appSync between devices | DesktopOnline – Mendeley WebMendeley web provides a database of publications. Researcher profiles available.Free app for Android and MacOS. The iPad app has a better PDF reader.Sync between devices | DesktopOnlineThird party apps. Don’t recommend the use of these apps.Sync between devicesAn instant bibliography tool ZoteroBib is easy to create a bibliography and work with word documents |
| Storage | Unlimited local and online storage | AUT users: 100 GB personal storage & 100 GB shared storageFree account: 2GB personal storage and 100 MB shared space | Unlimited local storage300MB free online storage |
| Work with Word processor | Desktop: MS Word, OpenOfficeEndNote cite while you write (CWYW) is a comprehensive tool for citing resources and editing citations.CWYW works with both EndNote desktop and Online versionsEndNote is a better tool for managing long documents and a large reference collection | MS Word, OpenOfficeCite while you write with desktop library | MS Word, LibreOffice, Google DocsCite while you write with desktop library |
| Add references | Direct export references to EndNote from many databasesImport RIS, EndNote XML filesDrag and drop PDFs to a library and create referencesAdd references manuallyBookmark online resources to EndNote OnlineAble to use “Find reference updates” to update referencesEndNote desktop provides more options for managing references | Direct export from some databasesImport EndNote XML, RIS and BibTeX files from databasesDrag and drop PDFs to a library and create referencesUse web Importer to get references from databases/websites instantlyAdd references directly from Mendeley catalogAdd references manually | Direct export from a small number of databasesIt is easier to use Zotero to collect references from websites. PDFs can also be downloaded along with reference dataImport RIS, BibTex, EndNote XMLAdd references manuallySpecial feature: snapshots of webpages are also saved when adding references to the library |
| Save PDFs | Import PDFs or PDF foldersAutomatically import PDF foldersDrag and drop PDFs to a library and create referencesUse “Find full-text” to download PDFs with a DOI numberLimited PDF annotation function | Import PDFs using a Web importerDrag and drop PDFs to a library and create referencesAutomatically import PDF foldersA better PDF annotation function than other two software | Use browser connector to collect references from websites. PDFs are sometimes downloaded along with reference dataDrag and drop PDFs/PDF folders to a library and create references |
| Edit output styles | Easy to edit output styles | A CSL editor is available | Use a CSL visual editor; It’s not a easy process to modify a style |
| Share & collaborate | EndNote desktop library, including references, PDFs and annotation, can be shared with 100 people. EndNote Online account is required for sharing the whole desktop library. EndNote Online – share groups of references | Personal research profile in Mendeley helps networking and provide opportunities for collaboration Can collaborate with up to 25 peopleShare groups on Mendeley WebCan share full-text in 1 private group only and with up to 3 people | Good for networking and collaboratingCan share citations and documents with others using your online accountAs the size of a free Zotero account is only up to 300MB, sharing a large number of references/PDFs may need to pay for an extra data storage |