Zotero is an easy-to-use free reference management tool. It can be used to:
Zotero comes with 300 MB of free storage. Additional storage can be purchased from the Zotero storage webpage.
Library staff at ACU provide limited help for Zotero users. For additional support, please search Zotero Support.
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.
There are three steps to installing Zotero.
Download Zotero and follow the prompts for installation.
Get the Zotero Connector for your browser.
The Zotero Connector (plug-in extension) allows you to collect references from databases and webpages with a single click. Connectors are available for Firefox, Chrome, Edge, and Safari.
Create a Zotero online account.
An account will allow you to:
There are two ways to create a Zotero online account.
Zotero comes with several popular citation styles pre-installed. However, you may need to install additional styles via the Zotero Style Repository. Information about installing additional styles can be found at Zotero: Citation Styles.
For guidance on using Zotero, see:
Use the Zotero Forums.
The library provides limited Zotero support. Contact us to see if we can help.
Guide last reviewed: 7 November 2022