| Zotero | Mendeley | |||
| Cost | Free | Free | US$249.95 for Full License or US$115.5 for Student License. EndNote also offers a free, web-based version, EndNote Basic. |
Included with Word |
| Storage | 300MB (can purchase more). If you have personal cloud storage, you can also sync Zotero to your personal account. | 2GB (can purchase more) | Unlimited | None. |
| Desktop or browser based? | Desktop & web application for syncing | Desktop & web application for syncing | Desktop with web application for syncing | Desktop |
| Compatibility |
Natively: Microsoft Word, LibreOffice, Google Docs; can use RTF scan for other programs like RStudio and LaTeX |
Microsoft Word using "Mendeley Cite" | Microsoft Word using "Cite While You Write" plugin | Word |
| Annotations | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Collaboration | Yes, through private or public group libraries. | Yes, through private or public group libraries. | Yes, you can share groups library or share entire library with up to 100 people who are using EndNote | No |
| Citation Styles | Unlimited (through community repository & you can build your own styles) | Unlimited (through citation style repository) | More than 7,000 & user can add more. | 12 (but you can customize XML file for more) |
| Data Storage | Desktop; Cloud (if you sync) | Desktop; Cloud (if you sync) | Desktop; Cloud (if you sync) | Desktop |
| Support Documents | Zotero Support | Mendeley Support | Office Support | |
| Notes | Multi-platform desktop version with connectors for Firefox, Chrome and Safari. Web-based access to reference library also available through Zotero.org or through a personal cloud-based database folder on a user's computer (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.). | Account required, Desktop & Web components, Windows, Linux, macOS (not macOS 11 Big Sur) | The web version EndNote Basic (formerly, EndNote Web) is free of charge | ... |
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