Skip to Main Content

Chemical Engineering: Citation Managers

Below are a list of key features to compare EndNote, EndNote Web, Mendeley, and Zotero, compiled by Karen Heskett (from her guide). 

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.

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.

 but has  

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.

 

(cost for
more storage)

 

 

 

(2TB free storage)

 

(cost for more storage)

Online Learning Videos & Tutorials   

EndNote Training Channel

 EndNote Training Channel  Mendeley Guides from Elsevier 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

$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

 

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 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

Shared library with full access plus share via compressed library file.

Yes, & can set 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 not easy

Social media & discovery tools