EndNote
EndNote is a reference management software that helps you manage your research, format bibliographies, and collaborate with colleagues to streamline the entire scholarly writing and publishing process.
Paperpile
Paperpile is a web-based reference management software that allows you to collect, organize, and cite research papers directly within your browser and Google Docs for a streamlined academic workflow.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | EndNote | Paperpile |
|---|---|---|
| Website | endnote.com | paperpile.com |
| Pricing Model | One_time | Subscription |
| Starting Price | Free | $2.99/month |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 30 days free trial | ✓ 30 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✓ Has free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✘ No product demo |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 1988 | 2012 |
| Headquarters | Philadelphia, USA | Cambridge, USA |
Overview
EndNote
EndNote helps you manage the entire research process from initial discovery to final publication. You can search online databases, collect references, and organize PDFs in a searchable personal library. The software eliminates the manual work of formatting citations by automatically generating bibliographies in thousands of different journal styles directly within your word processor.
You can share your library with up to 400 collaborators, allowing your team to work together on the same set of references simultaneously. Whether you are a student writing a thesis or a professional researcher managing thousands of papers, the platform provides the tools to keep your citations accurate and your library organized across desktop, online, and mobile devices.
Paperpile
Paperpile is a modern reference manager designed to simplify how you handle academic papers and citations. Instead of toggling between complex desktop applications, you can manage your entire library directly in your browser. It integrates deeply with Google Docs and Microsoft Word, allowing you to insert citations and format bibliographies without leaving your document. You can import papers with a single click from sites like PubMed, ArXiv, and Nature, while the software automatically fetches PDFs and organizes them in your Google Drive.
The platform solves the headache of manual data entry by automatically extracting metadata and keeping your library synced across all your devices. Whether you are a solo researcher or part of a large lab, you can share folders and collaborate on references in real-time. It eliminates the friction of traditional citation tools, making the transition from discovery to writing nearly instantaneous.
Overview
EndNote Features
- Cite While You Write Insert in-text citations and build your bibliography automatically in Microsoft Word using over 7,000 available journal styles.
- PDF Auto-Import Watch specific folders for new PDFs and automatically import them into your library with extracted metadata and attachments.
- Library Sharing Collaborate with up to 400 team members by sharing your entire library or specific groups with custom access permissions.
- Manuscript Matcher Find the best-fit journals for your paper by analyzing your references and matching them against millions of citation connections.
- Automated Reference Updates Keep your library current by automatically finding and attaching missing metadata or full-text PDFs for your existing references.
- Cross-Platform Sync Access your research library from anywhere with seamless synchronization between your desktop, web browser, and iPad application.
Paperpile Features
- One-Click Imports. Save papers, data, and PDFs directly from your browser with a single click from hundreds of supported publisher sites.
- Google Drive Sync. Store and sync your entire PDF library automatically to Google Drive so your research is accessible from any device.
- Built-in PDF Annotator. Open, read, and annotate your research papers directly in the browser with highlighting and note-taking tools that save automatically.
- Google Docs Integration. Search your library and insert perfectly formatted citations and bibliographies into your Google Docs without ever switching tabs.
- Shared Folders. Collaborate with your colleagues by creating shared folders to collect references and PDFs for joint research projects.
- Mobile Access. Access your entire library on the go with native iOS and Android apps that support offline reading and mobile syncing.
Pricing Comparison
EndNote Pricing
- Store up to 50,000 references
- 2GB of file storage
- 21 bibliographic styles
- Basic search capabilities
- Sync with desktop version
- One-time purchase of $275
- Unlimited reference storage
- Unlimited file storage
- Over 7,000 citation styles
- Advanced PDF management tools
- Share with 400 collaborators
Paperpile Pricing
- Unlimited PDF storage in Google Drive
- Google Docs & MS Word integration
- Mobile app access
- Shared folders and collaboration
- Priority email support
- Everything in Academic, plus:
- Commercial use license
- Centralized billing for teams
- Administrative dashboard
- Priority deployment support
Pros & Cons
EndNote
Pros
- Extensive library of over 7,000 citation styles
- Powerful PDF organization and annotation features
- Reliable integration with Microsoft Word
- Excellent handling of very large reference libraries
- Robust search functionality across online databases
Cons
- Steep learning curve for advanced features
- Interface feels dated compared to modern apps
- High upfront cost for the full version
- Occasional sync issues between desktop and web
Paperpile
Pros
- Seamless integration with Google Docs and Chrome
- Automatic PDF renaming and organization in Drive
- Clean and modern user interface
- Very affordable pricing for students and academics
Cons
- Requires a Google account for full functionality
- Browser-centric approach may limit offline desktop use
- PDF annotation features can be basic for some