JabRef
- Android app
- Not listed
- Free plan
- Yes
- Runs on
- Browser extension, Linux, Mac, Windows
Summary
JabRef is a free, open-source citation and reference manager for collecting and organizing research sources. It works natively with BibTeX and BibLaTeX libraries stored as text, imports more than 15 reference formats, and extracts metadata from PDFs. Users can search scientific catalogs including CrossRef, Google Scholar, PubMed, Springer, arXiv, and zbMATH. Library tools include hierarchical collections, keywords and tags, advanced search and filters, duplicate merging, and customizable citation keys. JabRef supports cite-as-you-write workflows with Word and LibreOffice/OpenOffice, and can send citation keys to editors such as Emacs, LyX, TeXstudio, Vim, and WinEdt. Its browser extension can collect bibliographic information from websites, though the documentation warns it does not work on Chrome. Teams can collaborate through a shared SQL database; SSL database connections are supported, with testing documented only for PostgreSQL. Since version 6, paper summaries and chat are available through external AI providers, which process requests and linked PDFs. Libraries use a text-based format without vendor lock-in. The project points users to its documentation and community forum for help.
Who it is for
JabRef suits students and researchers who collect references, work with BibTeX or BibLaTeX, or need citation workflows in supported word processors. Teams can use its shared SQL database for collaboration.
What is good
- Free and open source, with no paid plan listed.
- Imports over 15 reference formats.
- Extracts metadata from PDFs.
- Supports shared SQL database collaboration.
- Organizes libraries with collections, tags, and filters.
What to know first
- The browser extension does not work on Chrome.
- Excessive catalog searches may cause temporary blocking.
- External AI providers process requests and linked PDFs.
Verdict
JabRef brings reference organization, citation workflows, and shared-library support together in one tool. Note the Chrome extension limitation, catalog-use caution, and external processing involved in its AI features.
JabRef plans and pricing
All plansCompared on reference management software
- Free plan
- Yesjabref.org
- PDF annotation
- Yesjabref.org
- Browser extension
- Yesjabref.org
- Word processor support
- microsoft_wordjabref.org
- Import formats
- BibTeX, BibLaTeX, RIS, Medline (txt), Medline (XML), MS Office Bibliography XML, XMP-annotated PDFjabref.org
- Team collaboration
- Yesjabref.org
Facts
- Purpose
- JabRef is an open-source citation and reference manager for collecting and organizing research sources.docs.jabref.org · 3 Oct 2026
- BibTeX and BibLaTeX
- JabRef natively supports BibTeX and BibLaTeX libraries saved in a text-based format.docs.jabref.org · 3 Oct 2026
- Import
- It offers import options for over 15 reference formats and can extract metadata from PDFs.docs.jabref.org · 3 Oct 2026
- Online catalogs
- Users can search online scientific catalogs including CrossRef, Google Scholar, PubMed, Springer, arXiv, and zbMATH.docs.jabref.org · 3 Oct 2026
- Organization
- Features include hierarchical collections, keyword and tag organization, advanced search and filters, duplicate merging, and customizable citation keys.docs.jabref.org · 3 Oct 2026
- Citation integrations
- JabRef supports cite-as-you-write workflows with Word and LibreOffice/OpenOffice, and can push citation keys to several external editors including Emacs, LyX, TeXstudio, Vim, and WinEdt.docs.jabref.org · 3 Oct 2026
- Collaboration
- Teams can work with a shared SQL database, and JabRef supports SSL database connections; its documentation says SSL has only been tested with PostgreSQL.docs.jabref.org · 3 Oct 2026
- AI features
- Since version 6, JabRef can summarize papers and chat with them using external AI providers; its documentation says linked PDFs are parsed and indexed for this processing.docs.jabref.org · 3 Oct 2026
- Privacy and storage
- The project says libraries use a simple text-based file format with no vendor lock-in; when using AI features, external providers process requests.jabref.org · 3 Oct 2026
- Notable limit
- JabRef says its online catalog search is intended for gathering a few entries and that excessive use may result in temporary blocking by a catalog.docs.jabref.org · 3 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project directs users to its documentation and community forum for help, with bug reports handled through GitHub.docs.jabref.org · 3 Oct 2026
- Intended audience
- The project describes JabRef as created by researchers for researchers and says it has been used by students and researchers.jabref.org · 3 Oct 2026
Company
- Founded
- 2003jabref.org · 28 Sept 2026
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Sources
- docs.jabref.org· checked 3 Oct 2026
- docs.jabref.org/collaborative-work/sqldatabase· checked 3 Oct 2026
- docs.jabref.org/ai· checked 3 Oct 2026
- jabref.org· checked 3 Oct 2026
- docs.jabref.org/collect/import-using-online-bibliograph· checked 3 Oct 2026
- docs.jabref.org/faq· checked 3 Oct 2026
- jabref.org· checked 28 Sept 2026