Reference management software comparison

There are a number of different types of software packages that you can use to manage the bibliographic details of information and the documents you find during your degree or research. The two main packages that the College provides free access to are EndNote and RefWorks, but there are now several software packages or bookmarking tools online at no cost to you or the College. You may find these online tools do not have all the functions you need, so make sure you choose carefully.

TO DECIDE WHICH PACKAGE TO USE, FIRST ASK YOURSELF THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

1. Do you have access to a single College owned computer? EndNote must be installed on each individual computer before use. RefWorks and EndNote Web can be used from any computer with internet access. Zotero and Mendeley can be used on and offline, with desktop installation required on an individual computer for offline access.

2. Do you use a PC or a Mac? EndNote is compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems, as can Zotero and Mendeley. RefWorks can be used with both systems, note there are some issues with Mac and word 2016, please check our reference management pages for more information or ask your Subject Librarian.

3. Which package do your colleagues use? Although the packages are compatible with each other, it is wise to choose the package which most colleagues in your department use. Then you can share databases or libraries, and give each other support. If you are still undecided as to which package to use, refer to the table overleaf for a detailed comparison.

4. Can I upload full-text articles? You may upload full-text copies of individual articles relevant to your research but may not systematically store the contents of a relevant journal in your field. When selecting a sharing option either choose to keep full-text articles private or share them only with members of your project group at Imperial.

The table below provides a comparison between the established and newer packages now available. If you have any questions about using these, or how to get access, please contact your librarian.

August 2017

Endnote basic RefWorks EndNote (desktop) (EndNote Onine) Zotero Mendeley (basic) Cost Free to College Can be freely installed Free Free Free members and Alumni by College members on College owned machines What is this package best Easy to learn. Cloud Good at handling large If you want to use a Open source software. Social component- easy to at? based so can use on any amounts of references. version of EndNote on Can gather citation find other researchers computer with internet. Has 'find full text' non-College machines. records for non-pdfs working in the field. Can Once Word tool bar is feature. The editing tools easily. Can sync with sync with website to use synced you can work make this a versatile website to use on any on any computer with offline. Recommended reference management computer with internet. internet. for Imperial tool. undergraduates and Records are on your masters students. computer rather than in a cloud so good if dealing with anything confidential. Recommended for Imperial PhD students, research students and researchers. Is it compatible if you're Yes No- you'll have to Yes Yes Yes going to be working off connect to a College campus? computer using VPN. Is it easy to collaborate Yes. Can share with an Yes (they need to be Yes. Can share library Yes (they need to have Yes (they need to have a with other researchers? unlimited number of using Endnote 7.2 or 8.) with up to 14 EndNote a Zotero account) Can Mendeley account.) Can people with RefWorks Can share files or Basic users. But can't create public or private create private or public accounts by using access a shared library share attachments. groups. groups. RefShare. Can create a with up to 100 others shared account for a (Version 8). But there research group/ project. can be only one simultaneous user. Is there a custom College Yes No No No No style? Number of referencing 6000+ 6000+ 3500+ 8100+ 8000+ styles available

August 2017

Operating System Windows, Mac (Write N Windows, Mac, iOS app. Windows, Mac, iOS Windows, Mac, Linux, Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS Cite plugin not app. BSD, Unix, iOS app app, Android app compatible), Linux, BSD, (install Bookmarklet) Unix Browser Internet Explorer Version n/a because can only Internet Explorer 8x or You can download Internet Explorer 8-11, 7.0 or later (Windows use on College later. (Windows Only) connectors for Chrome, Firefox 6 and newer, only) Firefox 3.X or later machines Firefox 27 or later. Firefox, Safari and Chrome 14 and newer, (Windows, Mac and Safari 5.0 or later. Opera. Safari 5 and newer. Linux) Safari 3 and later Chrome 31 or later. (Mac) Google Chrome (Windows only) Note: RefGrab-It does not work with Google Chrome

Are there apps available? In development iPad app- Available free iPad app- Available free No official Zotero one iPad, iPhone and android. from the App store for from the App store for but their website lists iPad only. iPad only. ones for pdf readers, android and ios.

Can I annotate stored No Yes No No Yes. pdfs? Maximum number of unlimited. (200MB for unlimited 50000 records. 2GB for Unlimited number of Unlimited on desktop (Size records per library or alumni) web space. references (Size only only restricted by local folder restricted by local storage constraints.); 2GB storage constraints.) of free web space 300MB free web space permitted for attachments (PDFs, images etc)

College authenticated Yes Yes No No No Export to BibTeX? Yes Yes No Yes Yes Library training Yes Yes No No Yes available?

August 2017

What happens when you If you're a student, Save or export your Free so can use Free so can use Free so can use wherever leave the University? register for an alumni references to use with wherever you work. wherever you work. you work. account. Save or export other software. your references to use with other software.

August 2017