If you’re an academic researcher, if you don’t mind paying for extra features and need the best for team collaboration, EndNote could be worth the investment. However, if you prefer a cost-free, flexible tool with a great reputation in academia, Zotero will serve you well.
| Feature | EndNote | Zotero |
| Cost | Paid (with free trial) | Free (with paid storage options) |
| Storage | Paid cloud storage (5GB free with the online version) | 300MB free, paid plans available |
| Collaboration | Excellent for team collaboration and sharing | Basic group features, suitable for small teams |
| PDF Annotation | Advanced PDF annotation tools (highlight, comment) | No built-in annotation, needs external software |
| Citation Styles | Over 7,000 styles | Over 10,000 styles |
| Open-Source | No, proprietary software | Yes, open-source |
| Platform Compatibility | Windows, macOS, iOS, Web | Windows, macOS, Linux, Web |
| Browser Integration | EndNote Web Importer for browsers | Zotero browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Safari |
| Reference Organization | Advanced folder, groups, and tagging system | Advanced organization with tags and collections |
| Syncing Across Devices | Yes, with paid subscription | Yes, with free account (limits on storage) |
| Advanced Features | Strong advanced reference management features | More simple, but flexible and customizable |
| Customer Support | 24/7 official support | Community-based support, forums, and documentation |
| Ease of Use | Steeper learning curve, especially for beginners | Easier to use for beginners, intuitive interface |
| Best For | Professional researchers, large-scale projects | Students, academics, and general researchers |
| Privacy & Trust | Owned by private company (Clarivate Analytics) | Open-source, community-driven |
1. If you need advanced features for collaboration and PDF annotation, and you’re willing to pay for a more professional tool, EndNote might be a better choice.
2. If you value an open-source, free tool with a strong focus on privacy, and you don’t need advanced PDF features, Zotero is a great option.
Editor
Oncology Researcher by day, tech enthusiast by dusk. With 5+ years of experience in AI and tech, he covers mostly AI innovations, SaaS and the tech industry. On weekends, he loves reading about new technology trends and hiking on beautiful trails.
