18.6
Zotero is a free, open-source tool for collecting, organizing, annotating, citing, and sharing research.
Free planOpen sourceAndroidiOSWeb
Best Citation Management Software in 2026
Citation management software helps you organize references and use them in research and writing. Compare import formats and browser extensions for collecting sources, then check citation styles and word processor support for preparing citations in your work. PDF annotation, mobile apps and team collaboration may also matter depending on how you read and work with others. Zotero, Mendeley Reference Manager and…
28.0
Qiqqa is a research and reference manager for organizing, searching, reading, and annotating PDFs, then using those materials in bibliographies.
Free planOpen sourceAndroidWebSelf-hosted
37.7
Sciwand is a desktop app for reference management, document reading, research analysis, and academic writing.
Free planiOSExtensionLinux
- 4
JabRef
JabRef is a free, open-source citation and reference manager for collecting and organizing research sources.
Free planOpen sourceAPIExtensionLinuxmacOS7.3Free plan - 5
Mendeley Reference Manager
Mendeley Reference Manager is a web and desktop application for organizing references and supporting research workflows.
Free planWebExtensionLinuxmacOS7.2From $55 a year - 6
ReadCube Papers
ReadCube Papers is a platform for discovering, reading, organizing, and citing scientific literature.
AndroidiOSWebAPI7.2From $95 a year - 7
Logically
Logically is a workspace for managing references, reviewing literature, annotating files, taking notes, and writing papers.
Free planWebExtensionmacOSWindows7.1From $12 a month - 8
Wren
Wren is a free, open-source, local-first reference manager for research on Apple Silicon Macs running macOS 14 or later.
Free planOpen sourceAPIExtensionmacOS7.1Free plan - 9
EndNote
EndNote is a reference manager for finding, organizing, annotating, and citing research materials.
iOSWebExtensionmacOS7.0$113 one-time - 10
Paperpile
Paperpile is a reference manager for collecting, organizing, and writing with research papers.
AndroidiOSWebExtension7.0From $4.15 a month - 11
Petal
Petal is a research assistant and reference manager for academic work, available on the web and as a browser extension.
Free planWebExtension6.9From $2.55 a month - 12
Lean Library Workspace
Lean Library Workspace is a research and reference management tool for students and researchers.
Free planAndroidiOSWebExtension6.8Free plan - 13
Bookends
Bookends is a reference manager for collecting and organizing research, annotating PDFs, and creating citations and bibliographies.
iOSExtensionmacOS6.6From $14.99 a year - 14
Biblioscape
Biblioscape is reference management software for collecting, organizing, and publishing research information on the web and Windows.
WebWindows6.5From $0.50 a year - 15
Noterva
Noterva is a paid research toolset for evaluating papers, checking journal venues, and working through research texts.
WebExtensionmacOSWindows6.4From ₹2,999 a year - 16
RefWorks
RefWorks is a cloud-based reference management service for collecting, organizing, collaborating on, and publishing research.
WebAPImacOSWindows6.4 - 17
CiteDrive BibTeX Studio
CiteDrive BibTeX Studio is a paid web application for creating modular bibliographies and citations with BibTeX and BibLaTeX.
WebExtension6.3From $50 a year - 18
Databyss
Databyss is a free, non-commercial, open-source application for taking notes, managing bibliographical sources, and publishing work online.
Free planWebmacOSWindows6.3Free plan - 19
Citationsy
Citationsy is a paid citation and reference manager for creating, organizing, and exporting bibliographies.
AndroidiOSWebExtension6.2 - 20
BibDesk
BibDesk is a free macOS application for editing and managing bibliographies, bibliographic details, and associated files or web links.
Free planmacOS5.9Free plan - 21
Citavi
Citavi combines reference management, knowledge organization, and AI-assisted insights for research writing.
WebExtensionWindows5.9 - 22
rcites
rcites is a free R package for retrieving information from the Species+ database through the Species+/CITES Checklist API.
Free planLinux5.7Free plan - 23
KBibTeX
Linux4.5