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.
Papers
Papers is a reference management software that helps you collect, organize, read, and cite research materials through a centralized digital library and integrated discovery tools.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Paperpile | Papers |
|---|---|---|
| Website | paperpile.com | papersapp.com |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Starting Price | $2.99/month | $3/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 | 2011 |
| Headquarters | Cambridge, USA | Boston, 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.
Papers
Papers helps you transform how you handle academic research by providing a unified workspace for your entire PDF library. You can discover new papers directly within the app using integrated search engines like PubMed and Google Scholar, then save them with a single click. The software automatically identifies metadata, organizes your files into smart collections, and syncs your progress across all your devices so you can transition from your office desktop to your tablet at home.
You can annotate documents with highlights and sticky notes, share folders with colleagues for collaborative projects, and generate citations in thousands of different styles. Whether you are a solo PhD student or part of a large corporate research lab, the platform streamlines the tedious parts of the research cycle. It eliminates the manual effort of formatting bibliographies and searching through messy folders, allowing you to focus on the actual analysis and writing.
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.
Papers Features
- Smart Library Organization. Automatically fetch metadata and organize your research into collections that sync across your desktop, web, and mobile devices.
- Integrated Search. Search major databases like PubMed and Scopus directly inside the app to find and import new research instantly.
- SmartCite Citation Tool. Insert citations and generate bibliographies in over 10,000 styles within Microsoft Word or Google Docs using a fast, searchable interface.
- PDF Annotation. Highlight text and add sticky notes to your documents, then export your summaries to keep track of key insights.
- Collaborative Shared Folders. Create private groups to share references and full-text PDFs with your lab mates or project collaborators in real-time.
- Browser Extension. Save papers directly from your web browser with one click, automatically bypassing paywalls when institutional access is available.
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
Papers Pricing
- Full desktop and mobile access
- Unlimited cloud storage
- SmartCite for Word and Google Docs
- 1-click PDF downloads
- Web browser extension
- Priority customer support
- Everything in Student, plus:
- Institutional login support
- Advanced collaboration tools
- Shared folders for lab teams
- Cross-platform syncing
- Enhanced metadata matching
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
Papers
Pros
- Excellent metadata extraction saves hours of manual entry
- Clean and modern user interface is easy to navigate
- Seamless syncing between desktop and mobile applications
- Powerful citation tool works reliably with Google Docs
Cons
- No forever-free version available after the trial
- Occasional glitches when importing very large PDF libraries
- Subscription model may be costly for long-term use