refbase vs Sciwand

refbase is a web-based, multi-user application for managing scientific literature and bibliographic references. It offers quick, simple, advanced, and SQL searches, including searches within results. Records can be shown in citation or print views, and the application generates formatted citation lists. It imports and exports records in formats such as MODS XML, RIS, BibTeX, and EndNote. The feature list names compatibility with desktop clients including Zotero and EndNote, as well as an open API and command-line client. Dynamic RSS feeds can track recently added or edited records and custom queries. Users can keep personal keywords and notes in user-specific fields. refbase is a free, self-hosted application licensed under the GNU General Public License version 2.0. Running it requires a web server, PHP 4.4.0 or greater, and MySQL 4.1.x or greater for Unicode support. The web installer requires a MySQL user with full database access, and some shared hosts may require manual installation. Bibutils is optional and recommended for added import and export functionality.

Sciwand is a desktop research app that combines reference management, document reading, research analysis, and academic writing. Its AI columns can score papers, screen them as yes or no, extract findings, and build structured datasets across documents. Library chat answers cite source sentences and let users jump to the relevant page in a paper. Sciwand can search academic databases and apply AI screening to search results. Its Markdown writer supports more than 10,000 citation styles; a Microsoft Word add-in for Windows and macOS is described as being in beta. Supported files include PDF, Word, EPUB, Markdown, plain text, and saved web pages. The app syncs one-way with Zotero, EndNote, Mendeley, and Bookends without modifying the existing reference library. The site says library files, annotations, and notes are stored on the user's disk, with optional configurable cloud sync. The Free plan is billed forever and includes core reading, organizing, and writing tools, with AI free for 7 days. The Lifetime license costs $29.99 as a one-time purchase and includes unlimited AI features, using the user's API key or local models.