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Cognitive Science: Citation Software

Next Steps : Choosing a Program

If you decide to use a program to manage citations, you have choices, but which one do you pick?    Think about which features you need and what options are most important.  You can use the tables below to help guide you.

  • The first one is a list of the common tasks you might want a program to perform.
  • The second one compares the basic features most everyone asks about
  • The third one looks at PDF management capabilities
  • The fourth one compares organization, management, & collaboration capabilities.
  • The last one compares the migration procedures of the different programs.

If it all leaves you confused, there is help.  If you start with one program and want to switch, you can take most, if not all of what you have, with you to a new program

We have online guides specific to each program, so when you make your decision, you can find more detailed help here:

Help Me Select the Right Tool!

                                         Does This Program Meet My Needs?

I want to …

EndNote

EndNote Web

Mendeley

Zotero

Capture info from web pages.


(install tool from EndNote Web)

Import information from databases.

Search a database or catalog from the program.

(catalog only)

Manage a collection of PDFs.

 but has  

Work with my collection without needing the Internet.

Work from multiple computers.

(sync with EndNote Web)

Work on a tablet, app, or mobile site.

(app now free)

(app now free)

(free app)

(free app)

Share my collection with others and have them add to it.

Not spend any money on this tool.

(Reduced cost $78.38)

 

(cost for more storage)

 

 

 

(cost for more storage & group functionality)

 

(cost for more storage)

Online Learning Videos & Tutorials   

EndNote Training Channel

 EndNote Training Channel  Mendeley Video Tutorials Zotero Tutorials

 

A Side by Side Comparison of the Basics

 A Side By Side Comparison of The Basics

 

Feature: 

EndNote

EndNote Web

Mendeley

Zotero

Web-based version

 

Yes when synched with EndNote Web 

Desktop version

Cost

$78.38

Free

Free + (cost for additional space $)

Free + (cost for additional space $)

Word processors

 

MS Word, Google Docs

MS Word, Google Docs

MS Word,

MS Word, Google Docs

Import citations from databases

Import information from web pages

Create records from PDFs (files or folders)

Online storage limits

N/A

2 GB or 5GB

(free or purchased version)

2 GB free

(cost for more storage)

300 MB

$ for more

A Side By Side Comparison of PDF Management Capabilities

 

A Side By Side Comparison of PDF Management Capabilities

Feature: 

EndNote

EndNote Web

Mendeley

Zotero

Create records from PDFs (files or folders)

 

Attach files (PDFs, Docs) to record

 

Automatically find & attach PDFs

 

 but UC-eLinks is available

Annotate & highlight PDFs

 

Search thru attached PDFs (full-text)

 

A Side By Side Comparison of Your Library Organization, Management & Collaboration Capabilities

 

A Side By Side Comparison of Your Library's Organization, Management, & Collaboration Capabilities

Feature: 

EndNote

EndNote Web

Mendeley

Zotero

Organize records into Groups or Folders

Other organization tools

Smart groups, subgroups

Shared folders are in a separate space

Watch folder (PDFs), tags, favorites

Tags, Smart search, iTunes-like look

Share library with collaborators

Compressed Library or Traveling Library, & newish shared library feature.

Yes, with read & write privileges

Yes, set up group, public or private, members have read & right privileges

Yes, set up group, public or private, members have read & right privileges

Customize display

 

 

Modify or create new citation styles

 

Yes, moderately easy

Yes, but only with librarian moderation

Yes, but difficult

Yes, but difficult

Social media & discovery tools
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