Best Zotero Alternatives in 2025
Looking for alternatives to Zotero? In this comparison, we take a closer look at Zotero alongside similar software solutions including Zotero, Up Endnote X Mac, Citavi, Mendeley Desktop and EndNote.
Our detailed comparison table highlights key features, pricing, and performance of these leading solutions, empowering you to make an informed decision. Whether you're seeking robust functionality, user-friendly design, or cost-effective alternatives, explore how Zotero, Up Endnote X Mac, Citavi, Mendeley Desktop and EndNote stack up to find the perfect software for your goals.
Citation Styles Supported
 Zotero
|
Supports over 10,000 citation styles |
 Up Endnote X Mac
|
Supports over 5,000 citation styles |
 Citavi
|
Supports over 9,000 citation styles |
 Mendeley Desktop
|
Supports 8,000 citation styles |
 EndNote
|
Supports hundreds of citation styles |
Platform Compatibility
|
Zotero
|
Compatible with Windows, Mac OS X/macOS, Linux, and web browsers |
|
Up Endnote X Mac
|
Designed for Mac operating system |
|
Citavi
|
Available for Windows and Mac; includes desktop and mobile app versions |
|
Mendeley Desktop
|
Cross-platform: Windows, Mac, Linux, mobile apps available |
|
EndNote
|
Available for multiple operating systems including iPad; supports multiple devices |
Licensing and Cost
|
Zotero
|
Free and open-source software |
|
Up Endnote X Mac
|
Paid software with licensing costs |
|
Citavi
|
Both free and paid versions available with a perpetual license option |
|
Mendeley Desktop
|
Free with limited storage; paid subscription available for additional features |
|
EndNote
|
Paid software with perpetual license option; relatively high cost |
Collaboration Features
|
Zotero
|
Supports sharing and collaboration via cloud-based syncing |
|
Up Endnote X Mac
|
Supports network sharing and groups for collaboration |
|
Citavi
|
Includes group tasks and team collaboration features with shared projects |
|
Mendeley Desktop
|
Provides social collaboration features including private or public groups and easy sharing |
|
EndNote
|
Offers online collaboration features |
Integration with Word Processors
|
Zotero
|
Integrates seamlessly with Microsoft Word and other word processors |
|
Up Endnote X Mac
|
Integrates well with Microsoft Word and popular word processing software |
|
Citavi
|
Compatible with Microsoft Word and certain other word processors |
|
Mendeley Desktop
|
Integrates with Microsoft Word, LibreOffice Writer, and Google Docs |
|
EndNote
|
Includes Microsoft Word plugin for seamless citing |
Choosing the right software isn’t just about features. Size, license type, user ratings, and popularity also matter.
This quick comparison shows how Zotero stacks up against Zotero, Up Endnote X Mac, Citavi, Mendeley Desktop and EndNote in these key areas—helping you find the best alternative for your needs.
Size
|
Zotero
|
48.6MB |
|
Up Endnote X Mac
|
|
|
Citavi
|
138.3MB |
|
Mendeley Desktop
|
|
|
EndNote
|
License
|
Zotero
|
Freeware |
|
Up Endnote X Mac
|
Commercial |
|
Citavi
|
Commercial |
|
Mendeley Desktop
|
Commercial |
|
EndNote
|
Commercial |
Popularity
|
Zotero
|
|
|
Up Endnote X Mac
|
|
|
Citavi
|
|
|
Mendeley Desktop
|
|
|
EndNote
|
|