Reference management software allows you to organise your research literature and references efficiently. There are many software options available including EndNote, Mendeley and Zotero.
| Feature | EndNote Desktop | Mendeley Reference Manager | Zotero |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ease of use | Harder to learn initially | Easy to use | Easy to use |
| Cost | Free for ACU staff and students | Free | Free (up to 300 MB) |
| Storage capabilities | Unlimited |
Free account: 2GB ACU Institutional Edition: 100GB |
300 MB (users can pay for extra storage beyond 300 MB) |
| Software support |
ACU Library supports EndNote (guide, webinars and consultations) EndNote website provides online training materials |
ACU Library guide Mendeley website provides online training materials |
ACU Library guide Zotero website provides online training materials |
| Word processor compatibility |
Microsoft Word Apache OpenOffice Apple Pages LibreOffice Google Docs |
Microsoft Word OpenOffice LibreOffice NeoOffice |
Microsoft Word LibreOffice OpenOffice NeoOffice Google Docs |
| Number of reference styles | Over 6,000 styles | Over 10,000 styles via the Citation Style Language (CSL) repository | Over 8,000 styles via the Style Repository |
| Operating system compatibility | Windows, Mac | Windows, Mac OS X or later, Linux | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| Syncing |
Cloud storage and syncing via EndNote Web Register for an account |
Cloud storage and syncing available Register for an account |
Cloud storage and syncing available Register for an account |
| Advantages |
Premium product Advanced features Easily customised Easy to edit reference styles Supported by ACU |
Easy to use Collaborative, social networking functionality |
Easy to use Great for importing records from non-traditional sources such as websites |
| Best suited to | Users comfortable with reference management systems |
Undergraduates who have never used a reference management system Researchers sharing papers and networking |
Undergraduates who have never used a reference management system |
Table last updated September 2023.
Available to both staff and students, EndNote makes it easy to manage references for your projects and scholarly publications.
Find detailed information and instructions in our EndNote library guide.
Training sessions are also available. Contact us for more information.
Mendeley is a reference manager and an academic social network. ACU has an institutional account with Mendeley which allows ACU staff and students greater storage space for libraries and usage analytics of content.
Find out more with our Mendeley library guide or Contact us.
Zotero is an easy-to-use free reference management tool. Zotero comes with 300 MB of free storage. Additional storage can be purchased from the Zotero website.
Find out more with our Zotero library guide or Contact us.