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.
Microsoft SharePoint
Microsoft SharePoint is a collaborative platform that integrates with Microsoft 365 to help your organization manage content, share knowledge, and build intranets that improve teamwork across every department.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Paperpile | Microsoft SharePoint |
|---|---|---|
| Website | paperpile.com | sharepoint.com |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Starting Price | $2.99/month | $5/month |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 30 days free trial | ✓ 30 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✘ No product demo | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2012 | 2001 |
| Headquarters | Cambridge, USA | Redmond, USA |
Overview
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.
Microsoft SharePoint
Microsoft SharePoint serves as your organization's mobile, intelligent intranet. You can create secure sites to store, organize, share, and access information from any device. It simplifies how you manage documents by providing a central location where your team can collaborate on files in real-time. Whether you are working on a small project or managing a massive corporate library, you can use SharePoint to keep everyone synchronized and informed.
You can also build communication sites and portals to broadcast news and resources across your company. By integrating deeply with Microsoft 365, it allows you to move seamlessly between your email, calendar, and documents. It solves the problem of fragmented data by giving you a single source of truth for all your digital assets and internal communications.
Overview
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.
Microsoft SharePoint Features
- Real-time Co-authoring. Work on the same document simultaneously with your teammates and see their changes as they happen in real-time.
- Intranet Site Builder. Create beautiful, mobile-ready communication sites to share news, reports, and resources with your entire organization or specific teams.
- Advanced Search. Find exactly what you need quickly with intelligent search that surfaces relevant documents, people, and site content across your network.
- Version History. Track every change made to your files and restore previous versions instantly if you need to revert an update.
- Automated Workflows. Connect with Power Automate to create custom approval processes and notifications that handle your repetitive administrative tasks automatically.
- Granular Permissions. Control exactly who can view or edit your sensitive information with flexible security settings at the site or folder level.
Pricing Comparison
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
Microsoft SharePoint Pricing
- 1 TB of OneDrive storage per user
- Share files securely inside or outside your org
- Sync local copies of files for offline viewing
- Co-author documents in real-time
- Create team sites and communication sites
- Mobile apps for iOS and Android
- Everything in Plan 1, plus:
- Fully installed desktop Office apps
- Business-class email and calendaring
- Microsoft Teams for chat and meetings
- Standard security and compliance tools
- Web versions of Outlook, Word, and Excel
Pros & Cons
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
Microsoft SharePoint
Pros
- Deep integration with the familiar Microsoft 365 ecosystem
- Highly customizable to fit specific organizational structures
- Robust document versioning and recovery capabilities
- Excellent mobile accessibility for remote team members
Cons
- Initial setup and configuration can be complex
- Interface feels overwhelming for non-technical users
- Requires significant time to master advanced features