At their simplest, citation managers are programs that allow you to:
Additionally, most of them have additional features such as the ability to:
Most citation managers are either cloud-based applications or standalone software which must be downloaded and installed.
EndNote Basic | EndNote (Desktop) | Zotero | |
---|---|---|---|
Description | Web-based service that helps you collect, organize, share and cite sources | Citation management software that helps you collect, store, organize and cite sources | Web-based tool and standalone software that helps you collect, organize, share and cite sources |
Best For | Smaller research projects, and when internet access is more reliable than access to a specific computer | Large research projects (thesis, book) written using your own computer | Small or large research projects |
Cost | Free for everyone |
Download from SEARCH LINKS OF IT DEPTS
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Free for everyone |
Sharing | Yes - create groups to share lists | Yes - through included Endnote Web account | Yes - set up groups, share libraries |
Mac / PC | Both | Both | Both |
Download software? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Work offline? | No | Yes | No |
Integration with worth processors? | Yes - create in-text citations and bibliographies with Cite While You Write plug-in for Word | Yes - create in-text citations and bibliographies with Cite While You Write plug-in for Word | Yes - download plugins for Word and OpenOffice to create in-text citations and bibliographies |
Import citations from databases? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Unique Features | Add a toolbar in Firefox to save online references directly into your library | Options to define custom citation style | Easy to add sources from the Web; only major open source option |