Comparison of Reference Managers  

RefWorks

Zotero

EndNote

Mendeley

How it works

Web-based application, available from any computer with web access.  Citations are saved online in the user’s RefWorks account, though users can also create backups on their own computers.

Free plug-in for the Firefox browser.  Citations are saved on user’s computer and the Zotero server, and may be synced among multiple computers. 

Software application, available for both Windows and Mac OS.  All data is saved on user’s computer.  Also available in a web-based version called EndNote Web.

Software application, available for Windows, Mac, and Linux, as well as iOS devices. Also available via a web-based interface.

How to get it

The UVA libraries and ITC pay for a university-wide subscription to RefWorks.  See our RefWorks page for information on how to set up an account and log in. 

Free; go to www.zotero.org and click on “Download.”

UVA does not provide a site license for the single computer version, but does provide a volume discount for users purchasing their own copy.   See www.cavaliercomputers.com/endnote for ordering information through Cavalier Computers.  EndNote Web is free to UVa users and is available at www.myendnoteweb.com.

Free; go to www.mendeley.com and click on Sign Up & Download.

Strengths

Works best for users switching between different computers, especially if using shared or public computers. 

You can share citations with other users using the  RefShare feature. 

Some library catalogs and databases, such as Virgo, can be searched directly from within the RefWorks interface.   

The Attachments feature allows you to save articles as well as citations on the RefWorks server and access them from any computer.

Connect to articles using Find@UVa.

Easy to access and use from within Firefox; importing citations can be accomplished with one click. 

You can share citations with other users and the public using the Groups feature. 

Excellent for capturing information about web resources. 

Allows you to save and annotate websites. 

You can save attachments on Zotero’s server or your personal machine.

Connect to articles using Find@UVa.*

Allows greater customization of output styles and import filters. 

Stored data can be accessed without an Internet connection. 

Some library catalogs and databases, such as Virgo, can be searched directly from within the EndNote interface. 

Connect to articles using Find@UVa.*

Manages not only citations, but also creates a well-managed library of your imported papers. 

Regularly syncs content between machines and with the web version, keeping you always up to date. 

You can form groups to share resources and citations within your lab/study group/cohort. 

Integrates with MS Word for easy inserting of citations/bibliographies.

Unlike RefWorks, you can keep your account and data after you leave U.Va.

Weaknesses

Available to users only as long as UVA continues to subscribe (citations can be exported to other reference managers or to a Word file). 

UVA alumni may continue to use RefWorks after graduation, but only as long as we maintain a current subscription. 

Only works with Firefox, although versions for other browsers, and a stand-alone version, are under development.  

Use on more than one computer requires syncing; not designed for use on public or shared computers.   

Expensive; hard to switch between multiple computers; can’t share libraries with other users. 

No local support within the library. 

How to get help

See our RefWorks page for information as well as local contacts for assistance. 

The Zotero website has extensive information, and library staff can answer questions.

See help information on the EndNote website.  Library staff may be able to answer questions. 

The Mendeley website has extensive information.