Zotero

7.5easy start · #3 of 27
in Reference Management Software

Free to practise onyes
Free trialnot on record
Well documentedyes
Runs where you workyes

Runs on Android, api, Browser, iOS, Linux, Mac, self-hosted, Web, Windows. Paid plans from $1.67/mo.

Zotero is ranked #3 of 27 in reference management software on The Geeks Club. 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 plans

300 MB Free Free 300 MB storage zotero.org · 29 Sept 2026

2 GB $20/yr $20/year (equal to $1.67 per month) 2 GB storage zotero.org · 29 Sept 2026

6 GB $60/yr $60/year (equal to $5 per month) 6 GB storage zotero.org · 29 Sept 2026

Unlimited $120/yr $120/year (equal to $10 per month) Unlimited storage zotero.org · 29 Sept 2026

Compared on reference management software

Free plan: Yes
PDF annotation: Yes
Browser extension: Yes
Word processor support: both
Mobile apps: both
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 RDF
Team collaboration: Yes

Best Zotero alternatives

See all 12

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The record

Purpose: Zotero is a free, open-source tool for collecting, organizing, annotating, citing, and sharing research.
Web capture: Zotero can detect research items while browsing and save them with its browser Connector.
Organization: Users can organize items with collections, keyword tags, and saved searches.
PDF tools: Zotero includes a PDF reader and note editor.
Citation tools: Zotero supports over 9,000 citation styles and integrates with Microsoft Word, LibreOffice, and Google Docs.
Sync and storage: Optional Zotero Storage synchronizes PDFs, images, web snapshots, and other files across devices and provides access through the online library.
Collaboration: Users can share a Zotero library with as many people as they like at no cost, and groups support shared collections.
Platforms: Zotero offers downloads for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, and a browser Connector for desktop browsers.
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.
Data location: Zotero states that its server data is stored in the United States in AWS us-east-1.
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.
API: Zotero provides a Web API, with version 3 as the default recommended for new development.
Support: Most Zotero support occurs in the public Zotero Forums.
Intended audience: Zotero is developed for researchers and cultural heritage institutions by a global community.
Price from: $1.67/mo

Where it ranks on The Geeks Club

Best Reference Management Software in 2026#3 of 27
Best Citation Management Software in 2026#3 of 24

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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