LibGuides: Writing: Style Guides and Citation Management: Citation Management Software

What is Citation Management Software?

Helps you keep track of articles, books, reports, and other information you are using in your research
Gives you the ability to import citations from many databases and websites
Generates citations for papers and presentations in major citation formats

A wide variety of citation management software is available; below are those most commonly used by university students, faculty, and staff.

Free
Both a web interface and a desktop application with continuous syncing
PDFs of articles can be attached to citations and accessed through the web interface, so they are accessible from any computer
Annotations can be added within the application
Citations can be directly imported from a wide variety of sources using the "Web Importer"
Users can join groups based on their interests or create groups to collaborate with colleagues
Requires Microsoft Word add-in to generate bibliographies

Free
Desktop application with browser plug-in for Chrome, Firefox, and Safari that allows citation information to be imported from the web as well as web interface that, once syncing is set up, allows users to access citations from any computer
Attachments can be added to citations
Like Mendeley, users can create groups to collaborate with colleagues or join existing groups based on their interests, although these are harder to browse

EndNote Basic is free, but with less functionality; full version is available for purchase through Cavalier Computers
Basic is web only; full version is a desktop application with online access
Collaboration features only available in the full version
Full version allows for greater customization of citation styles

Additional comparisons of the applications on this page can be found on the following pages: