Below are a list of key features to compare EndNote, EndNote Web, Mendeley, and Zotero, compiled by Karen Heskett (from her guide).
| Does This Program Meet My Needs? | ||||
|
I want to … |
||||
|
Capture info from web pages. |
Yes, but not well |
Yes, but not well |
Sort of: you can grab the URL and then take a screenshot and attach it. |
Yes, can save a snapshot. |
|
Import information from databases. |
|
|
|
|
|
Search a database or catalog from the program. |
(limited databases) |
(limited databases) |
(Mendeley's "catalog" only) |
 |
|
Manage a collection of PDFs. |
|
|
|
|
|
Work with my collection without needing the Internet. |
|
|
|
|
|
Work from multiple computers. |
(synch with EndNote Web) |
|
(set up auto synch) |
(set up auto synch) |
|
Work on a tablet, app, or mobile site. |
(app now free) |
(app now free) |
|
(free app) |
|
Share my collection with others and have them add to it. |
|
|
|
|
|
Not spend any money on this tool. |
|
(2 GB free storage)
|
(2GB free storage, can pay to upgrade)
|
(300 MB free storage, can pay to upgrade) |
|
Online Learning Videos & Tutorials |
EndNote Training Channel | Mendeley Guides from Elsevier | Zotero Quick Start Guide | |
|
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 |
$80 |
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 |
* The Cite While You Write Tools are not available in Google Docs - use copy & paste and then format the document.
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
Not part of the program, but could be connected to an annotation tool. |
|
Search thru attached PDFs (full-text)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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 |
Shared library with full access plus share via compressed library file. |
Yes, & can set read & write privileges |
Yes, set up group, public or private |
Yes, set up group, public or private |
|
Customize display
|
|
|
|
|
|
Modify or create new citation styles
|
Yes, moderately easy |
Yes, but only with librarian moderation |
Yes, but difficult |
Yes, but not easy |
|
Social media & discovery tools |
|
|
|
|
