Citation management (aka reference management) tools enable you to:
- Import citations from databases, catalogs, PDFs. etc, often through a browser plug-in
- Store and organize references and/or PDFs in either a desktop or online account
- Find duplicate citations; add notes or annotate your citations
- Create bibliographies and in-text citations using different citation styles
- Share your digital library and collaborate with colleagues
With so many different types of citation managers, how do you decide which one is right for you? Below you will find a comparison between several citation management tools. If you would like more information on which one to use for your project, contact us via the
Ask Us service.
Cost: Free to all
Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux, browser add-on
Strengths:
- Freely available to all; can take with you if you leave UVA
- Good option for collecting many types of literature, including web resources, through direct import or browser plug-in
- Can configure to import PDFs automatically
- Easy to share citations with other users
Weaknesses:
- Limited free storage space (300MB)
- Limited number of bibliographic styles, and difficult to edit styles
Platform: Windows, Mac
Strengths:
- Good option for major research projects; can handle a large number of references
- 5000+ predefined bibliographic formatting styles and ability to create styles
- Sharing options for your citations ("libraries") with up to 100 people
- Can configure to retrieve PDFs
- Dedicated customer support staff
Weaknesses:
- Costs money
- Browser plug-in to import citations from articles or other Web documents is available, but has limited functionality
- Learning curve to utilize EndNote's full functionality
Cost: Free, and, while you are at UVA, EndNote Basic accounts have additional features due to our Web of Science subscription.
See this comparison chart.
Platform: Web-based
Strengths:
- Web-based, so can be accessed from any computer
- Unlimited storage since UVA subscribes to Web of Science
Weaknesses:
- Limited capabilities compared to EndNote Desktop
- Requires internet connection
- Browser plug-in is available to capture citations from Web documents, but has limited functionality
Cost: Free to us through UVa subscription to F1000
Platform: Web-based; mobile app
Strengths:
- Unlimited online storage capacity
- An unlimited number of shared projects with unlimited membership per project
- Share Word documents with collaborators who can view, highlight, comment and edit citations and bibliography
Weaknesses:
- Limited functionality without internet access
- Could lose access if UVA cancels F1000 subscription
Cost: Freely available to all, with upgrades available (additional storage space)
Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux; has a Web syncing option
Strengths:
- Designed as a PDF manager (ability to create a citation from PDF)
- Social networking capabilities, find researchers in your field
- Easily share citations with other users
Weaknesses:
- Need to check on the accuracy of citation information
- Free version has limited storage space for PDFs
- No database search from within the program
Cost: $5/month academic license, $3/month student license
Platform: Mac, Windows, Android/iOS, Web
Strengths:
- Bibliographic management and PDF management (ability to create a citation from PDF)
- Easy linking to full text from citations
Weaknesses:
Help
Additional assistance in choosing a citation manager is available to UVA Health System faculty, staff, and students. Just
Ask Us via the link at left - we are happy to provide help via email, phone, or in-person.
