ZoteroBib
ZoteroBib is a free web service for creating a bibliography without an account or software installation.
What ZoteroBib is
ZoteroBib is a free web service for creating a bibliography without an account or software installation. It is positioned as a quick option for a one-off paper bibliography. Sources can be added through a URL, ISBN, DOI, PubMed ID, arXiv ID, title search, or manual entry. The service supports more than 10,000 CSL citation styles, including APA, MLA, and Chicago/Turabian. Finished bibliographies can be copied to the clipboard, downloaded as RTF, copied as HTML, or exported as RIS or BibTeX files. By default, a bibliography stays in the browser’s local storage. Users can upload a version to zbib.org for retrieval or sharing by link; uploaded versions remain available for at least six months from creation or last viewing. ZoteroBib was founded in 2018. It offers a free plan at no cost, with no free trial because the service is already free. URL retrieval may be restricted by some sites, in which case identifier or manual entry is suggested.
Good
- Free plan with no software installation
- Supports over 10,000 citation styles
- Accepts identifiers, URLs, searches, and manual entry
- Exports RIS and BibTeX files
- Offers clipboard, RTF, and HTML output
Watch out
- Some sites restrict URL-based retrieval
- Linked versions are accessible to anyone with the link
- Short-term logging includes IP, browser, and search terms
Who it suits
It suits students and writers who need a quick, one-off bibliography, especially when they want broad citation-style support and reference-manager exports.
Verdict
ZoteroBib provides a focused, free route from source details to formatted bibliography output. Its local storage default and multiple export choices make it practical for one-off citation work.
Plans and prices
From ZoteroBib's own pricing page, checked 9 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | Completely free · ad-free |
The facts
Each one read from ZoteroBib's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Add sources
- Users can add sources by URL, ISBN, DOI, PubMed ID, arXiv ID, title search, or manual entry.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Best fit
- The FAQ describes ZoteroBib as a quick option for creating a one-off bibliography for a paper.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Citation output
- Users can copy formatted bibliographies to the clipboard, download an RTF file, or copy HTML for a webpage.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Citation styles
- It supports over 10,000 CSL styles, including APA, MLA, and Chicago/Turabian.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Exports
- Bibliographies can be exported as RIS or BibTeX files for import into reference managers.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The FAQ explains that users can save a bibliography to Zotero with the Zotero Connector and add a ZoteroBib import button to a site using an /import?q=[url] link.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Limit
- Some sites restrict ZoteroBib or prevent URL-based retrieval, and the FAQ recommends trying an identifier or manual entry in those cases.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- A bibliography remains on the user's computer by default; linked versions are accessible to people with the link, and the service logs IP address, browser version, and search terms for a short period.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- ZoteroBib is a free service for building a bibliography from a computer or device without an account or software installation.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Shared version retention
- Uploaded bibliography versions are stored for at least six months from when they were created or last viewed.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Storage
- By default, a bibliography is stored in the browser's local storage; users can upload a version to zbib.org and retrieve or share it by link.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Support
- The FAQ directs users who need help to the Zotero Forums and says they need a Zotero account to post.checked 9 Oct 2026
The company
- Founded
- 2018checked 28 Sep 2026
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