Citing Sources: Citation Management Software

Ready to get started? Here are some options to learn more:

• Keep reading below.
• Check out the guides for each tool using the links on the right or below.
• View citation management tool webinars.

What are citation management tools?

Citation management tools are useful for many citations that you will use again. These tools are perfect for long-term storage of multiple citations and longer bibliographies.

Sometimes called citation managers, reference management tools, or reference managers, these tools enable you to store, organize, annotate, and share your references for research. They can also be used with a word processor to automatically insert in-text citations and format bibliographies according to your desired style, such as APA, Chicago, MLA, and many more. 

Which tool should I choose?

UW Libraries supports three citation managers: EndNote Basic, Mendeley, and Zotero. These tools provide the same basic features: saving citations, organizing them into folders, and generating in-text citations and bibliographies as you write.

To decide which tool best suits your needs, review the chart below and talk with colleagues in your department about the tools they use and why. Once you choose a tool, know that you can always change your mind. Citations can easily be transferred between tools, but please note that attachments don't always transfer.