Citation Managers are software applications that allow you to:
Use the chart below to choose the correct application for you:
| NoodleTools | EndNote (Desktop) | EndNote Basic | Zotero | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Description |
Web-based service that walks you through the process of formatting citations |
Citation management software that helps you collect, store, organize and cite sources |
Web-based service that helps you collect, organize, share and cite sources |
Web-based tool and standalone software that helps you collect, organize, share and cite sources |
| Best for | Short undergraduate research papers with fewer than 10 sources | Large research projects (thesis, book) written using your own computer | Smaller research projects, and when internet access is more reliable than access to a specific computer | Small or large research projects |
| Cost | Free for UT students | Purchase a downloadable student license from UT Campus Computer Store | Free for everyone | Free for everyone |
| Sharing | Yes - share lists with classmates and instructors | Yes - through included Endnote Web account | Yes - create groups to share lists | Yes - set up groups, share libraries |
| Mac/PC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
|
Download software? Work offline? |
No No |
Yes Yes |
Yes No |
Yes No |
| Integration with word processors? | Save bibliographies as Word docs but no in-text citation functionality | Yes - create in-text citations and bibliographies with Cite While You Write plug-in for Word | Yes - create in-text citations and bibliographies with Cite While You Write plug-in for Word | Yes - download plugins for Word and OpenOffice to create in-text citations and bibliographies |
| Import citations from databases? | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Unique features | Note card function helps organize notes | Options to define custom citation style | Add a toolbar in Firefox to save online references directly into your library | Easy to add sources from the Web; only major open source option |
| If you're graduating/leaving UT | No access after graduation, no easy way to transfer lists | Nothing changes - you own the software | Nothing changes - free for everyone | Nothing changes - free for everyone |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 Generic License.