Free and open first
Best Citation generators in 2026
Citation generators create citations from source information for school, research, and other writing. This list is for people who want a citation tool without committing to a costly plan.
- 57 apps
- How the order is worked out
- 1
Logically
Free plan ExtensionMacWeb+1Choose Logically if you want a research workspace combining reference management, AI assistance, annotation, and writing tools.
- 2
CiteMe
Free plan APIExtensionWebCiteMe combines citation creation, reference checking, and several ways to import or export bibliography data.
- 3
PaperGuide PDF Citation Generator
Free plan ExtensionWebChoose PaperGuide PDF Citation Generator for free, account-free citation creation from PDFs and a browser-saved bibliography.
- 4
Citation[Z]
Free plan ExtensionWebCitation[Z] combines citation formatting, bibliography export, and style switching across web and extension access.
- 5
Conch AI Citation Generator
Free plan ExtensionWebConch AI Citation Generator is a free, no-signup option for copying bibliography citations in three styles.
- 6
Citation.js
Free plan APILinuxWebCitation.js provides citation conversion and formatting across multiple formats, identifiers, and environments.
- 7
Bibcitation
Free plan ExtensionWebBibcitation brings citation generation, bibliography formatting, and export options together in a free web and extension service.
- 8
Scholarly
Free plan WebChoose Scholarly if you want to turn source material into study resources or cited reports, with browser access and optional team tools.
- 9
AllCitations
Free plan WebAllCitations offers citation generation, bibliography editing, imports, and exports without requiring an account. Its browser-specific saving is an important limitation if you work across devices.
- 10
APA Citation Generator
Free plan WebAPA Citation Generator offers free APA 7th edition citation creation, bibliography tools, and downloads in a web interface.
- 11
CitApp
Free plan ExtensionWebCitApp combines citation formatting, source collection, and project sharing for students. The free plan has weekly usage limits, while Pro is 99 SEK, paid once.
- 12
Citation Hero
Free plan ExtensionWebCitation Hero covers common citation styles and offers both web access and a browser add-on without requiring an account.
- 13
CitePlain
Free plan ExtensionWebCitePlain covers common citation needs, with a free tier and browser extension for collecting references.
- 14
BibGuru
Free plan ExtensionMacWeb+1Choose BibGuru if you need citation generation for essays and papers across many citation styles, with web and browser extension access.
- 15
Backrow Citation Generator
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+4Backrow Citation Generator offers a quick way to generate and handle citation text from source details. It requires an account, and its guidance rules it out for assignments that explicitly ban AI.
- 16
bibliott
Free plan WebBibliott combines several citation styles, source types, and export formats in a web tool. Its free launch plan has a monthly citation limit, and the generator requires JavaScript.
- 17
CASRAI Citation Generator
Free plan WebCASRAI Citation Generator offers multiple formats for recognised CASRAI URLs, including structured options for citation processors.
- 18
Citation Machine
Free plan WebCitation Machine brings citation creation together with writing feedback and a plagiarism checker.
- 19
CitePlex
Free plan APIWebCitePlex offers broad source coverage and citation generation without requiring an account.
- 20
EasyBib
Free plan ExtensionWebEasyBib combines citation generation with writing and plagiarism tools. Review the subscription limits and the stated use of uploaded content before deciding whether its paid features suit your needs.
- 21
- 22
Cite This For Me
Free plan AndroidExtensioniPhone+1Cite This For Me offers a free citation generator, while its Free account has limits on styles and saved citations. Consider the uploaded-paper handling before using the Premium plagiarism checker.
- 23
CiteCreate
Free plan WebCiteCreate covers a wide range of citation styles and source types, with identifier lookup and export formats for reference tools.
- 24
Citefast
Free plan WebChoose Citefast if you need a free web tool for bibliographies, title pages, and in-text citations, with Word export and multiple citation styles.
- 25
Corroba
Free plan WebCorroba combines citation creation and bibliography editing with separate reference-checking tools.
#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price
Compare what works without payment, whether a free trial is available, and what paid access costs. Check platform support—web, browser extension, macOS, Windows, API, or Android—and review licence terms if you need to read or change code.
Questions
Do citation generators offer free plans?
Yes. The list includes tools with free pricing models or free plans. Freemium services may place additional access behind paid upgrades.
Can I try a citation generator before paying?
A free trial is offered by items on this list. Check the product page for trial terms before entering payment details.
Which platforms are supported?
Items on the list run on the web, browser extensions, macOS, Windows, API, and Android.
What does freemium mean here?
Freemium means a free plan is available, with paid access offered as an upgrade. Pricing and included access differ by product.
How should I check open-source access?
Review the tool's licence. Confirm that it permits reading or changing the code if those rights matter to you.