If you’re comfortable with open-source tools and need maximum flexibility, Zotero might suit your needs. If you need better collaboration tools and built-in PDF features, Mendeley would be a solid choice.
| Feature | Mendeley | Zotero |
| Cost | Free with 2GB storage, paid plans available | Free with 300MB storage, paid plans available |
| Storage | 2GB free cloud storage | 300MB free cloud storage |
| Collaboration | Excellent for team collaboration | Basic collaboration features |
| PDF Annotation | Built-in PDF annotation and highlighting | No built-in PDF annotation (external tools needed) |
| Citation Styles | Limited to around 7,000 styles | Over 10,000 citation styles |
| Open-Source | No, proprietary software | Yes, open-source |
| Platform Compatibility | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Windows, macOS, Linux, Web |
| Browser Integration | Mendeley Web Importer for browsers | Zotero browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Safari |
| Reference Organization | Organize references with folders and tags | Organize references with collections and tags |
| Syncing Across Devices | Yes, with cloud storage | Yes, but limited by storage size |
| Advanced Features | Integrates well with Elsevier and Scopus | More flexible, supports multiple citation styles |
| Customer Support | Official customer support available | Community-based support, forums, and documentation |
| Ease of Use | Beginner-friendly, user-friendly interface | Intuitive but has a steeper learning curve |
| Best For | Collaborative projects, PDF management | Flexible citation management, open-source users |
| Privacy & Trust | Owned by Elsevier, privacy concerns for some | Open-source and community-driven |
Mendeley might be better for you if you prioritize collaboration, PDF management, and ease of use.
Zotero is a better choice if you value open-source software, privacy, and need more citation style options.
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.
