Zotero
Reference managementFree tool to collect, organise, cite and share research
- Stars
- ★ 15.7k
- Licence
- AGPL-3.0
- Updated
- Opens RIS
- Opens BibTeX
- Opens EndNote XML
Free alternatives to Mendeley
Last updated · 2 options
Quick answer: Zotero has the most stars on its repository of the 2 options here (★ 15.7k), followed by JabRef (★ 4.8k). Stars show popularity, not fit, so check formats, platforms and licence for your own work.
Elsevier's reference manager. Here are 2 free options, most-starred first.
JabRef
Reference managementOpen-source reference manager built around BibTeX
- Stars
- ★ 4.8k
- Licence
- MIT
- Updated
How to switch
FAQ
Is there a free alternative to Mendeley?
Yes. ResearchAlts lists 2 options: Zotero and JabRef.
Which Mendeley alternatives are open source?
Zotero (AGPL-3.0) and JabRef (MIT).
Which Mendeley alternatives run on a Mac?
Zotero and JabRef (all of them).
How do I move from Mendeley to Zotero?
Zotero can import your whole online Mendeley library, folders included, using File → Import → “Mendeley Reference Manager (online import)”. Our step-by-step guide follows Zotero's official documentation.
Related categories: Reference management
Free tools are not always drop-in replacements. Check that a tool supports the file formats, tests and methods your supervisor, journal or ethics board expects before switching mid-project.