Quick comparison of Endnote, Mendeley & Zotero

Endnote Mendeley Zotero

Ease of use Harder to learn initially Easy to use Easy to use
Storage of data Computer Cloud Computer
Cost Free for UC users Free to download Free to download
Online data allowance Unlimited for UC users 2GB Free* 300 MB free*
*Includes entire library. 2GB is *Only includes resources stored
approx. 700-800 articles or shared online - approx. 100
PDFs
Institutional access Yes No N/A
Currently supported by the Yes No No
Library
Library training available Yes No No
Open source No No Yes
Operating system Windows, Mac Windows, Linux, Windows, Mac, Linux
(MAC not recommended)

Browser N/A Internet Explorer, Firefox, Firefox, Chrome, Edge

Chrome, Safari Safari version 13 onwards in beta
Work offline Desktop (yes), Web (no) Yes Yes
Maximum number of records per Unlimited Limited by storage 30,000
folder
Folder levels 2 Multiple Multiple
Number of source types 45 20 33
Support of special characters No Yes Yes
Link to PDFs Yes Yes Yes
Work with word processor to Yes Yes Yes
create formatted bibliographies, (Word, Pages) (Word, Libre Office, Open (Word, Libre Office, Open Office,
in-text citations and footnotes Office) Google Docs)
Number of referencing styles 6000+ 9000+ 9000+
available
Can create a formatted list of Yes No No
charts, figures etc.
Collaboration features Yes Yes Yes
Sharing references Difficult Yes Yes
Mobile device applications iOS NO - retired March 2021 Possible with add-ons
Export to BibTeX Yes Yes Yes
Ease of use in ShareLaTeX Difficult Easy integration Easy integration
Languages available Language set from PC 50 available Language set from PC
Attachment storage Yes Yes Yes
Spell-check Yes No No
Duplicate detection Yes Yes Yes
Field searching Yes, author Yes Yes - plain text and RegEx
searching
Save search strategies Yes, desktop No Yes
Can you edit/create styles Yes, desktop Must edit Citation Style Must edit Citation Style
Language file Language file
Create a subject bibliography Yes, desktop Yes Yes
Importing citations from:
~ library databases Yes Yes Yes
~ library catalogue Yes Yes Yes
~ from websites No Yes Yes

Adapted from University of Melbourne “Managing References” LibGuide: https://unimelb.libguides.com/c.php?g=921868&p=6652209#s-lg-box-wrapper-24845113