Citavi
Citavi is a comprehensive reference management and note-taking software that helps you organize sources, analyze content, and structure your writing projects from initial research to final publication.
RefWorks
RefWorks is a cloud-based reference management service that helps you simplify the research process by capturing, organizing, and citing your scholarly sources in thousands of different styles.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Citavi | RefWorks |
|---|---|---|
| Website | citavi.com | refworks.proquest.com |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Subscription |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 30 days free trial | ✓ 30 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✓ Has free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2003 | 2001 |
| Headquarters | Wädenswil, Switzerland | Ann Arbor, USA |
Overview
Citavi
Citavi is a professional research tool that combines reference management with advanced knowledge organization. Instead of just saving links, you can extract direct quotes, capture ideas, and organize them into a logical outline before you even start writing. It helps you stay organized by linking your PDF highlights directly to your project structure, ensuring you never lose track of a critical source or thought during complex writing tasks.
You can use it for individual academic papers or large-scale team research projects across various industries. The software handles the heavy lifting of citation formatting and bibliography creation, supporting thousands of citation styles. Whether you are a student, a researcher, or a corporate professional, you can manage your entire knowledge lifecycle in one centralized workspace to produce high-quality, well-documented work faster.
RefWorks
RefWorks is a comprehensive research management tool designed to help you streamline the entire lifecycle of scholarly writing. You can easily capture bibliographic data from online databases, library catalogs, and websites with a single click. Once your sources are saved, you can organize them into folders, share them with collaborators, and annotate full-text documents directly within the platform to keep your insights connected to your citations.
The platform excels at automating the most tedious parts of academic writing by generating bibliographies and in-text citations in seconds. Whether you are a student working on a thesis or a faculty member managing a complex literature review, you can access your research from any device. It integrates directly with popular word processors to ensure your formatting remains consistent and accurate throughout your project.
Overview
Citavi Features
- Reference Management Search library catalogs and databases from within the app to import sources and create perfect bibliographies automatically.
- Knowledge Organization Extract quotes, comments, and ideas from your PDFs and organize them into a flexible, multi-level category system.
- Task Planning Set deadlines and track your progress for every source, from ordering a book to finishing a final draft.
- PDF Annotation Read and annotate your documents directly in the software while linking specific highlights to your project outline.
- Word Add-In Insert your gathered thoughts and citations directly into Microsoft Word to build your paper as you write.
- Team Collaboration Work on the same project simultaneously with your colleagues and see who is currently editing specific sections.
RefWorks Features
- Save to RefWorks. Capture research materials and metadata from any website or database instantly using a simple browser bookmarklet.
- Write-N-Cite. Insert properly formatted in-text citations and bibliographies directly into Microsoft Word without leaving your document.
- Google Docs Add-on. Manage your references and format your papers in real-time while collaborating with others in Google Docs.
- Full-Text Annotation. Read, highlight, and add personal comments to PDF documents within your library to keep your notes organized.
- Style Library. Access thousands of citation styles including APA, MLA, and Chicago to ensure your paper meets specific journal requirements.
- Collaborative Folders. Share specific research folders with your peers or colleagues to work together on group projects and bibliographies.
Pricing Comparison
Citavi Pricing
- Up to 100 references per project
- All standard features included
- Cloud and local storage
- Citavi Picker for browsers
- Microsoft Word Add-In
- Everything in Free, plus:
- Unlimited references per project
- Full cloud collaboration features
- Advanced task management
- Priority technical support
- 5 GB of cloud storage
RefWorks Pricing
- Full access via university login
- Unlimited reference storage
- Unlimited attachment storage
- Institutional style sharing
- Priority technical support
- Everything in Institutional, plus:
- Personal ownership of data
- Access after graduation
- Thousands of citation styles
- Word and Google Docs plugins
Pros & Cons
Citavi
Pros
- Superior knowledge organization compared to basic citation tools
- Excellent integration with Microsoft Word for seamless writing
- Powerful task management keeps your research on schedule
- Highly customizable category system for complex outlines
Cons
- No native application for macOS users
- Steeper learning curve than simpler reference managers
- Cloud sync can be slow with large PDF libraries
RefWorks
Pros
- Excellent integration with university library databases
- Saves significant time on bibliography formatting
- Easy to share folders for group research
- Cloud-based access from any computer or tablet
- Reliable browser extension for quick source capturing
Cons
- Occasional formatting errors with complex web sources
- Interface can feel dated compared to newer tools
- Write-N-Cite plugin sometimes requires troubleshooting in Word