Tech riderRev. 29 Sept 2026
- 1Runs onAndroid, API, Browser, iOS, Linux, Mac, self-hosted, Web, Windows
- 2CostsFree plan · paid from $1.67/mo
- 3PDF annotationYes
- 4Browser extensionYes
- 5Word processor supportboth
- 6Mobile appsboth
- 7Import formatsZotero RDF, CSL JSON, BibTeX, BibLaTeX, RIS, Bibliontology RDF, MODS, EndNote XML, Citavi XML, MAB2, MARC, MARCXML, MEDLINE/nbib, OVID Tagged, PubMed XML, RefWorks Tagged, Web of Science Tagged, Refer/BibIX, XML ContextObject, Unqualified Dublin Core RDF
- 8Team collaborationYes
8 lines stated Written from the maker's own pages: zotero.org
Overview
Zotero is ranked #1 of 27 in reference management software on Specifiction. It runs on Android, API, Browser extension, iOS, Linux, macOS, Self-hosted, Web, Windows. There is a free plan. Paid plans start at $1.67/mo.
Zotero plans and pricing
All plansCompared on reference management software
- Free plan
- Yeszotero.org
- PDF annotation
- Yeszotero.org
- Browser extension
- Yeszotero.org
- Word processor support
- bothzotero.org
- Mobile apps
- bothzotero.org
- Import formats
- Zotero RDF, CSL JSON, BibTeX, BibLaTeX, RIS, Bibliontology RDF, MODS, EndNote XML, Citavi XML, MAB2, MARC, MARCXML, MEDLINE/nbib, OVID Tagged, PubMed XML, RefWorks Tagged, Web of Science Tagged, Refer/BibIX, XML ContextObject, Unqualified Dublin Core RDFzotero.org
- Team collaboration
- Yeszotero.org
Facts
- Purpose
- Zotero is a free, open-source tool for collecting, organizing, annotating, citing, and sharing research.zotero.org · 29 Sept 2026
- Web capture
- Zotero can detect research items while browsing and save them with its browser Connector.zotero.org · 29 Sept 2026
- Organization
- Users can organize items with collections, keyword tags, and saved searches.zotero.org · 29 Sept 2026
- PDF tools
- Zotero includes a PDF reader and note editor.zotero.org · 29 Sept 2026
- Citation tools
- Zotero supports over 9,000 citation styles and integrates with Microsoft Word, LibreOffice, and Google Docs.zotero.org · 29 Sept 2026
- Sync and storage
- Optional Zotero Storage synchronizes PDFs, images, web snapshots, and other files across devices and provides access through the online library.zotero.org · 29 Sept 2026
- Collaboration
- Users can share a Zotero library with as many people as they like at no cost, and groups support shared collections.zotero.org · 29 Sept 2026
- Platforms
- Zotero offers downloads for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, and a browser Connector for desktop browsers.zotero.org · 29 Sept 2026
- Privacy and security
- The desktop app stores research locally by default; syncing is optional, and data synced to Zotero servers is encrypted in transit and newly created accounts' data is encrypted at rest with AES-256.zotero.org · 29 Sept 2026
- Data location
- Zotero states that its server data is stored in the United States in AWS us-east-1.zotero.org · 29 Sept 2026
- Self-hosting limit
- The Zotero data server is open source and can be run locally, but Zotero says this can be technically challenging and it does not support such installations.zotero.org · 29 Sept 2026
- API
- Zotero provides a Web API, with version 3 as the default recommended for new development.zotero.org · 29 Sept 2026
- Support
- Most Zotero support occurs in the public Zotero Forums.zotero.org · 29 Sept 2026
- Intended audience
- Zotero is developed for researchers and cultural heritage institutions by a global community.zotero.org · 29 Sept 2026
Best Zotero alternatives
See all 20 All accessCh 02 Sciwand Free planFree trialiOS Free to start7.7 All accessCh 03 Lean Library Workspace Free planFree trialAndroid Free to start7.6 All accessCh 04 Mendeley Reference Manager Free planBrowserLinux from $4.58/mo7.6 All accessCh 05 ReadCube Papers Free trialAndroidAPI from $7.92/mo7.6 All accessCh 06 EndNote Free trialBrowseriOS 7.5 All accessCh 07 Paperpile Free trialAndroidBrowser from $4.15/mo7.5
Where it ranks on Specifiction
Is Zotero yours?
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Sources
- zotero.org· checked 29 Sept 2026
- zotero.org/download/· checked 29 Sept 2026
- zotero.org/support/pdf_reader· checked 29 Sept 2026
- zotero.org/storage· checked 29 Sept 2026
- zotero.org/support/security· checked 29 Sept 2026
- zotero.org/support/dev/web_api/v3/· checked 29 Sept 2026
- zotero.org/support/privacy· checked 29 Sept 2026
- zotero.org/about· checked 29 Sept 2026