Zotero captures a citation from a browser tab in one click, stores the PDF beside it, and inserts formatted references into Word, LibreOffice, or Google Docs. Notes and highlights attach to the item, and group libraries let a lab or seminar share a reading list. It is the reference manager most universities recommend because it is free and open source, and it saves a snapshot of the page itself so a source does not vanish when the site changes.
Who it is for
Graduate students and research groups who need citations without a per-seat license.
Key features
- One-click citation capture from the browser
- Word and Google Docs citation plugins
- PDF annotation with linked notes
- Shared group libraries
- BibTeX and RIS export
Where it falls short
Free sync covers only 300 MB, so anyone with a serious PDF collection ends up buying storage, and group library storage is charged to whoever created the group.
Pricing
Free and open source; optional storage plans start around $20 a year for 2 GB, and group storage counts against the owner.
Prices move; the tier structure is the part that stays true. Check current pricing on Zotero.
Alternatives to Zotero
Frequently asked
Is Zotero free?
Partly. Free and open source; optional storage plans start around $20 a year for 2 GB, and group storage counts against the owner.
What is Zotero best for?
Graduate students and research groups who need citations without a per-seat license.
What are the best alternatives to Zotero?
The closest substitutes we list are Notion and Readwise. They sit in a similar price bracket but make a different trade-off, so read the weaknesses section of each review before switching.
Which platforms does Zotero run on?
Zotero is available on Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS and Chrome.