Reference management tools
Reference management tools are designed to help you to store, organise, evaluate, and cite thousands of citations.
If you are unfamiliar with reference management tools or would like a reminder of their functionality, please visit the bibliographic management webpage on the library website where you will find further guidance.
This webpage is designed to offer a basic overview of four of the most widely used reference management tools for research:
- EndNote 21
- EndNote Online
- Mendeley
- Zotero
These reference management tools offer similar core functionality, as can be seen by the below comparison tables.
Which you choose to use – if you choose to use them at all – is down to personal preference and suitability for your research project.
Please note that the library does not offer direct support with the installation or use of these tools. This webpage is designed to offer a basic overview only, and to signpost to further support.
If you have any queries about this webpage, please contact library-research-support@open.ac.uk
Reference management tools comparison tables
How can I use these reference management tools?
| Functionality - can I…? | EndNote 21 | EndNote Online | Mendeley | Zotero 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually create references | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Drag and drop the PDF of an article into the tool to create a reference | Yes – drag and drop into the toolbar at top of screen | No | Yes – drag and drop into references area | Yes – drag and drop into references area |
| Import references from a digital file (as downloaded from a database, e.g. Web of Science) | Yes – RIS and others | Yes – RIS and others | Yes – RIS, BibTeX, and others | Yes – many (full list of compatible file types for Zotero) |
| Organise references into folders | Yes – folders are called “groups” | Yes – folders are called “groups” | Yes | Yes – folders are called “collections” |
| Add notes to references | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Add subject tags to references | Yes | Yes – subject tags are called “labels” | Yes | Yes |
| Add attachments to a reference (e.g. PDF of article, document containing notes) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Identify duplicate references | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Use offline without an internet connection | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Conduct keyword searches within reference collections (including user-generated subject tags and notes) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Conduct keyword searches within attachments to references | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Share reference collections with other registered users of the tool | Yes – folders, called “groups”, can be shared | Yes – folders, called “groups”, can be shared | Yes – shared collections are called “groups” | Yes – shared collections are called “groups” |
| Use other unique features | Create rules to automatically sort references into “smart groups” (e.g. sort all articles by a single author into one folder) | “Match” tool helps locate a suitable journal for your manuscript |
The most compatible tool to use with BibTeX and LaTeX “Watch a folder on your desktop” functionality – every time you add a PDF to your chosen folder the reference is added to Mendeley |
Zotero app available for use on Android devices |
What plug-ins and apps are available with these Reference Management Tools?
| Plug-ins available…? | EndNote 21 | EndNote Online | Mendeley | Zotero 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Browser extension | Yes, EndNote Click – helps you to quickly locate article PDFs | Yes, EndNote Click – helps you to quickly locate article PDFs | Yes, Mendeley Web Importer – allows you to cite PDFs and webpages while browsing (click “sync” in the desktop app for citations from the Web Importer to appear) | Yes, Zotero Connector – allows you to cite PDFs and webpages while browsing |
| Writing program plug-in (i.e. MS Word, Google Docs, LaTeX, etc) | Yes, downloaded automatically with the Desktop app – this appears as an “EndNote 21” tab in Word | Yes, manually download the “Cite While You Write Plug-In” linked to in your online account for use with Word | Yes, downloaded automatically with the Desktop app – this appears in the “Reference” tab in Word | Yes, downloaded automatically with the Desktop app – this appears as the “Zotero” tab in Word |
| Mobile app | No | Yes, Apple iOS (not available on Android) | No | Yes, Apple iOS and Android |
How do I access these Reference Management Tools and where can I find further support?
| Tell me more about…? | EndNote 21 | EndNote Online | Mendeley | Zotero 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purchase model | Payment required – the OU provides access for researchers | Free | Free up to 2 GB cloud storage – additional storage can be purchased | Free up to 300 MB of cloud storage – additional storage can be purchased |
| Developer | Clarivate | Clarivate | Elsevier | Corporation for Digital Scholarship (nonprofit) |
| Storage capacity on the cloud | Unlimited | 50,000 references and 2 GB attachments – sync with EndNote 21 for unlimited storage | Up to 2 GB of cloud storage – additional storage can be purchased | Up to 300 MB of cloud storage – additional storage can be purchased |
| Desktop app | Yes, if you have an OU managed device contact the IT Service Desk to install - please note that you will need to contact the IT Service Desk to update the desktop app when new versions are released | No, but sync with EndNote 21 is possible | Yes, if you have an OU managed device contact the IT Service Desk to install | Yes, install from the Zotero website, if you have an OU managed device contact the IT Service Desk for support |
| Browser interface | No, but sync with EndNote Online is possible | Yes, EndNote Online is accessed via a browser | Yes, sign into Mendeley online - recommend signing in “via your organisation” and using your OU email address | Yes, register for a Zotero account to access your Zotero Web Library using any email address |
| Registration requirements | Registration is not required for EndNote 21 if installed via the IT Service Desk - recommend registering seperately with EndNote Online and syncing with EndNote 21 | Registration is required using any email and new original password – recommend using OU email if syncing with EndNote 21 | Registration is required using any email and new original password – if installing to an OU managed device, recommend registering “via your organisation” and using OU email | Registration is not required for the Zotero desktop app, but registration is required for using the browser interface – you can register with any email and a new original password |
| Syncing (i.e. keeping reference collections consistent and complete across multiple devices, in both the browser and the desktop app) | Yes, register for an EndNote Online account, then click “sync configuration>sync now” and sign in | Yes, sync with EndNote 21 is possible (you must have EndNote 21 installed) | Yes, register for a Mendeley online account then click the “sync” icon in the desktop app | Yes, register for a Zotero account then click the “sync” icon in the desktop app |
| Accessibility statement | EndNote 21 Accessibility Statement | No statement | Mendeley Accessibility Statement | No statement |
| Links for further support | EndNote 21 Training Resources | EndNote Online Training Resources | Mendeley help guides | Zotero support documentation |
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