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CitePlain

citeplain.com

From $3.25/mo Free plan WebBrowser extension
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Spec score 8.9 #4 of 57 in Citation generators

What it is

CitePlain creates citations and bibliographies from web pages, journal articles, books, tweets, YouTube videos, and podcasts. It accepts URLs, DOIs, or ISBNs, and uses publisher citation and Open Graph metadata, with Crossref lookup for DOIs and Open Library for ISBNs. The free plan includes APA 7, MLA 9, Chicago 17, Vancouver, CSE, and BibTeX, plus a bibliography builder for up to 50 sources per batch. The extension for Chrome, Edge, and Firefox can read metadata from the active tab and provide BibTeX with a stable cite key for Overleaf or Zotero. Pro adds 24 specialised styles, batch URL import for up to 50 sources, and cloud storage synced across the web app and extension. Free-tier references stay in browser local storage. Pro costs $4.99 a month or $39 a year. Lifetime options are listed at 89.00 USD once and 199.00 USD once. CitePlain describes its focus as individual citations rather than replacing a research reference manager.

Spec sheet

What it does
CitePlain creates formatted citations for web pages, journal articles, books, tweets, YouTube videos and podcasts.Read 15 Oct 2026 · citeplain.com
Purpose
CitePlain generates citations from web pages, journal articles, books, tweets, YouTube videos, and podcasts.Read 29 Sep 2026 · citeplain.com
Audience
CitePlain describes itself as suited to quickly generating an individual citation and says it is not trying to replace Zotero as a research reference manager.Read 29 Sep 2026 · citeplain.com
Privacy
CitePlain says saved references on the free tier live in browser local storage and never leave the device.Read 29 Sep 2026 · citeplain.com
Support
Email support is handled by one person, with replies promised within one business day and often within a few hours.Read 15 Oct 2026 · citeplain.com
Maker
CitePlain identifies itself as a BrainBytes Studio product and describes the studio as an indie solo-dev shop.Read 15 Oct 2026 · citeplain.com
Batch limit
The bibliography builder supports 50 sources per batch, and Pro batch URL import supports 50 per batch.Read 29 Sep 2026 · citeplain.com
Batch URL import
Pro supports importing up to 50 URLs per batch.Read 15 Oct 2026 · citeplain.com
Bibliography limit
The bibliography builder accepts up to 50 sources in one batch.Read 15 Oct 2026 · citeplain.com
BibTeX integration
BibTeX export is free and uses stable cite keys intended for Overleaf or Zotero workflows.Read 15 Oct 2026 · citeplain.com
Browser extension
The extension is listed for Chrome, Edge, and Firefox and reads metadata from the active tab.Read 29 Sep 2026 · citeplain.com
Browser library
Free saved references are kept in browser local storage and are not sent off the device.Read 15 Oct 2026 · citeplain.com
Cancellation
Subscriptions can be cancelled or downgraded through the Stripe Customer Portal, with access continuing through the paid period.Read 15 Oct 2026 · citeplain.com
Chicago limitation
Chicago Notes and Bibliography is the current default, while an Author-Date toggle is planned for a future release.Read 15 Oct 2026 · citeplain.com
Clipboard workflow
Generated citations are copied to the clipboard automatically and can be saved to the browser library.Read 15 Oct 2026 · citeplain.com
Cloud sync
Pro synchronizes a cloud library across the web app, extension and add-ins.Read 15 Oct 2026 · citeplain.com
Company location
The BrainBytes Studio GitHub profile lists Switzerland as its location.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Crossref and Open Library
Crossref is used for DOI resolution and Open Library for ISBN enrichment.Read 15 Oct 2026 · citeplain.com
Device data policy
The studio README says user data stays on the device.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
DOI fallback
When page metadata is poor but a DOI is present, the extension queries Crossref for the canonical record.Read 15 Oct 2026 · citeplain.com
Exports and integrations
The extension provides BibTeX with a stable cite key for use in Overleaf or Zotero, and DOI fallback uses Crossref.Read 29 Sep 2026 · citeplain.com
Extension editing
The extension lets users correct author, year or title metadata before copying a citation.Read 15 Oct 2026 · citeplain.com
Extension engine
The MV3 extension reads citation, Open Graph, Dublin Core and JSON-LD metadata from the active tab.Read 15 Oct 2026 · citeplain.com
Extension store status
CitePlain's extension page says Chrome, Edge and Firefox store links will activate when listings go live.Read 15 Oct 2026 · citeplain.com
Free citation styles
The free tier includes APA 7, MLA 9, Chicago 17, Vancouver, CSE and BibTeX.Read 15 Oct 2026 · citeplain.com
Free styles
The free tier includes APA 7, MLA 9, Chicago 17, Vancouver, CSE, and BibTeX.Read 29 Sep 2026 · citeplain.com
GitHub followers
The BrainBytes Studio GitHub profile shows 9 followers.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
GitHub maker profile
BrainBytes Studio's GitHub profile labels it an indie developer studio for open-source tools, templates and experiments.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
GitHub refund statement
The studio README advertises 30-day refunds.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
GitHub stars
The BrainBytes Studio GitHub profile shows 77 stars.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Input and metadata
It accepts URLs, DOIs, or ISBNs and reads publisher citation and Open Graph metadata, using Crossref for DOIs and Open Library for ISBNs.Read 29 Sep 2026 · citeplain.com
Input identifiers
Users can submit URLs, DOIs or ISBNs, with manual entry available when metadata is incomplete.Read 15 Oct 2026 · citeplain.com
Metadata pipeline
The service reads citation_*, Open Graph, Dublin Core and JSON-LD metadata, then enriches DOI and ISBN records through Crossref and Open Library.Read 15 Oct 2026 · citeplain.com
oEmbed integration
Tweet and YouTube metadata can be obtained through oEmbed.Read 15 Oct 2026 · citeplain.com
Privacy requests
Export and deletion requests are answered within 30 days under GDPR, Swiss FADP and CCPA statements.Read 15 Oct 2026 · citeplain.com
Pro storage
Pro adds a cloud library synced across the web app and browser extension.Read 29 Sep 2026 · citeplain.com
Pro styles
Pro adds more than 30 styles on the home page, including Harvard, IEEE, AMA, OSCOLA and ACS.Read 15 Oct 2026 · citeplain.com
Publisher blocking limit
BMJ, Nature, Science, NEJM and Cell can block server-side fetches; CitePlain recommends DOI lookup through the Journal source type as a workaround.Read 15 Oct 2026 · citeplain.com
Refund policy
The first Pro purchase has a 30-day no-questions-asked refund policy.Read 15 Oct 2026 · citeplain.com
Refunds and cancellation
The support page states a 30-day no-questions-asked refund on the first Pro purchase and says subscriptions can be cancelled anytime through the Stripe portal.Read 29 Sep 2026 · citeplain.com
Repository count
The BrainBytes Studio GitHub profile shows 21 repositories.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Studio description
The studio README says it builds small, focused software for the web and future agent infrastructure.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Style accuracy limit
Some niche Pro styles reuse citation-family formatting, so exact OSCOLA pinpoint details or ACS small caps may not match house requirements.Read 15 Oct 2026 · citeplain.com
Style limitation
CitePlain says some niche Pro styles share formatting with their citation-family base, so output may not match exact house-style details.Read 29 Sep 2026 · citeplain.com
Telemetry
The studio README states that its products use no telemetry.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Word and Google Docs
Word and Google Docs add-ins are described as shipping soon rather than generally available.Read 15 Oct 2026 · citeplain.com

Plans and prices

Free Free $0 forever 6 source types · 6 citation styles · bibliography builder 50 sources per batch · device-local browser library · Chrome, Edge, Firefox extension · no sign-in Read 15 Oct 2026 · citeplain.com
Pro monthly $4.99 a month $4.99/month Cloud sync · 30+ styles · batch URL import 50 per batch · cloud library · Word and Google Docs add-ins shipping soon Read 15 Oct 2026 · citeplain.com
Pro yearly $39 a year $39 per year Cloud sync · 30+ styles · batch URL import 50 per batch · cloud library · Word and Google Docs add-ins shipping soon Read 15 Oct 2026 · citeplain.com
Founder Lifetime $89, paid once $89 one time, lifetime Everything in Pro forever · no renewal or expiry · transferable email on request · first 100 customers Read 15 Oct 2026 · citeplain.com
Lifetime Founder $89, paid once $89 one time, lifetime Everything in Pro, forever · no renewal or expiry · transferable email on request · first 100 customers Read 29 Sep 2026 · citeplain.com
Lifetime $199, paid once $199 lifetime tier for the next 500 Everything in Pro, forever · no renewal or expiry Read 29 Sep 2026 · citeplain.com
Lifetime $199, paid once $199 lifetime tier for the next 500 Everything in Pro forever · no renewal or expiry Read 15 Oct 2026 · citeplain.com

Every CitePlain plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Accepts URLs, DOIs, and ISBNs.
  • Free plan includes six citation styles.
  • Bibliography builder supports 50 sources per batch.
  • Extension supports Chrome, Edge, and Firefox.
  • Free-tier references remain in browser local storage.

Limits

  • No free trial is listed.
  • Some niche Pro styles may not match exact house-style details.
  • Pro cloud storage requires a paid plan.
  • It is not intended to replace a research reference manager.

Who it suits

CitePlain suits people who need to create an individual citation or bibliography from a web page or publication identifier. Its free plan and browser extension may fit users who want references kept locally in their browser.

Verdict

CitePlain offers citation generation through a web app and browser extension, with a free set of styles and paid options for additional styles and cloud syncing. Users needing exact formatting for niche house styles should note the stated limitation.

Where Specifiction places it

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