Best Citation Management Software in 2026
Updated
In short: Zotero is ranked #1 of 24 as of 7 October 2026, ahead of Mendeley Reference Manager and Sciwand. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Mendeley Reference Manager. The lowest first paid tier on this page is Logically at $1/mo.
Keeping references organized while you write is a central use for citation management software. Compare import formats and browser extensions for bringing sources into a library, then look at citation styles and word processor support for using references in your work. PDF annotation, mobile apps, and team collaboration are other useful criteria to weigh. Zotero, Mendeley Reference Manager, and Sciwand are among the entries, alongside JabRef and EndNote. Check free-plan availability and the paid-from price as you compare the listed features with your research and writing habits.
24 citation management software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
10 of the 24 here have a free tier you can use, 0 have open-source code on record, and 0 have full bars: free, open, on most of your devices and documented.
| # | App | Signal | Free tier | Open code | Devices | From | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ZoteroWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux · Android · iPhone · Self-hosted · API · Extension | Three bars | — | 6 of 6 | $1.67/mo | 6.8 | |
| 2 | Mendeley Reference ManagerWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux · Extension | Three bars | — | 4 of 6 | $4.58/mo | 6.7 | |
| 3 | SciwandWindows · Mac · Linux · iPhone | Three bars | — | 4 of 6 | Free | 6.6 | |
| 4 | DatabyssWeb · Windows · Mac | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 5 | JabRefWindows · Mac · Linux · Extension | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 6 | Lean Library WorkspaceWeb · Android · iPhone · Extension | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 7 | PetalWeb · Extension | Two bars | — | 1 of 6 | $2.55/mo | 6.4 | |
| 8 | rcitesLinux | Two bars | — | 1 of 6 | Free | 6.3 | |
| 9 | EndNoteWeb · Windows · Mac · iPhone · Extension | Two bars | — | — | 4 of 6 | — | 5.7 |
| 10 | BookendsMac · iPhone · Extension | One bar | — | — | 2 of 6 | $1.25/mo | 5.5 |
| 11 | CitaviWeb · Windows · Extension | One bar | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 5.5 |
| 12 | RefWorksWeb · Windows · Mac · API | Two bars | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.5 |
| 13 | ReadCube PapersWeb · Windows · Mac · Android · iPhone · API · Extension | Two bars | — | — | 5 of 6 | $7.92/mo | 5.4 |
| 14 | KDE KeysmithLinux | One bar | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 15 | PaperpileWeb · Windows · Mac · Android · iPhone · Extension | Two bars | — | — | 5 of 6 | $4.15/mo | 5.3 |
| 16 | QiqqaWindows · Android | No signal | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 17 | CiteDrive BibTeX StudioWeb | One bar | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 18 | LogicallyWeb · Windows · Mac · Extension | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | $1/mo | 5.2 | |
| 19 | WrenMac · API · Extension | One bar | — | 1 of 6 | Free | 5.2 | |
| 20 | BibDeskMac | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 21 | KBibTeXLinux | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 22 | BiblioscapeWeb · Windows | One bar | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 4.9 |
| 23 | CitationsyWeb · Mac · iPhone | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 4.9 |
| 24 | NotervaWeb · Windows · Mac | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 4.9 |
Compare all 24 in a table
| # | App | Score | Free plan | From | Free plan | Paid from | PDF annotation | Browser extension |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zotero | 6.8 | Free plan | $1.67/mo | Yes | — | Yes | Yes |
| 2 | Mendeley Reference Manager | 6.7 | Free plan | $4.58/mo | Yes | — | Yes | Yes |
| 3 | Sciwand | 6.6 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | Yes | — |
| 4 | Databyss | 6.5 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | — | — |
| 5 | JabRef | 6.5 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | Yes | Yes |
| 6 | Lean Library Workspace | 6.5 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | Yes | Yes |
| 7 | Petal | 6.4 | Free plan | $2.55/mo | Yes | 4.99 /user/mo | Yes | Yes |
| 8 | rcites | 6.3 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | — | — |
| 9 | EndNote | 5.7 | No | — | Yes | — | Yes | Yes |
| 10 | Bookends | 5.5 | No | $1.25/mo | Yes | — | Yes | No |
| 11 | Citavi | 5.5 | No | — | — | — | Yes | Yes |
| 12 | RefWorks | 5.5 | No | — | — | — | Yes | Yes |
| 13 | ReadCube Papers | 5.4 | No | $7.92/mo | No | — | Yes | Yes |
| 14 | KDE Keysmith | 5.3 | No | — | Yes | — | — | — |
| 15 | Paperpile | 5.3 | No | $4.15/mo | No | 4.15 /user/mo | Yes | Yes |
| 16 | Qiqqa | 5.3 | No | — | Yes | — | Yes | — |
| 17 | CiteDrive BibTeX Studio | 5.2 | No | — | — | — | No | Yes |
| 18 | Logically | 5.2 | Free plan | $1/mo | Yes | — | Yes | — |
| 19 | Wren | 5.2 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | Yes | Yes |
| 20 | BibDesk | 5.1 | No | — | Yes | — | — | — |
| 21 | KBibTeX | 5.1 | No | — | Yes | — | — | — |
| 22 | Biblioscape | 4.9 | No | — | No | — | Yes | No |
| 23 | Citationsy | 4.9 | No | — | No | — | — | Yes |
| 24 | Noterva | 4.9 | No | — | No | — | — | Yes |
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored, and a sponsored row is labelled as paid.
Questions about this list
Which citation management software is ranked first on Freedom251?
Zotero is ranked #1 of 24 with a score of 6.8. Mendeley Reference Manager is second and Sciwand third.
How many of these have a free plan?
10 of the 24 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, Logically has the lowest first paid tier we found: $1/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked free-and-open first: a usable free tier and open-source code, then the platforms it runs on and its documentation.