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Compare EndNote, F1000 Workspace, Mendeley, Zotero: At a Glance

Reference Citation Managers

EndNote, F1000 Workspace, Mendeley, and Zotero are tools that serve the same purpose. They all allow you to create a database of references that you can use to keep track of your reading and to create references when you write. So how do you choose which one to use?

Comparing reference managers

  EndNote
(Desktop)		 Mendeley Zotero F1000Workspace
HSL Online Guides EndNote Mendeley Zotero F1000Workspace
Classes at HSL See here See here   See here
Cost Under $100 through UNC-CH
 

Free to everyone
UNC-CH Add-ons

 Free to everyone Free through UNC-CH
Notes See EndNote Basic/Online guide for further details on the free online version     Use this link to create account.  Select No, I'm a new user then select password.
How is it used? Computer
+ Web		 Computer
+ Web		 Computer
+ Web		 Web
Major citation styles?
Annotation of PDFs
Locate full-text using UNC-CH subscriptions
Instructions
Inconsistent
Instructions
Instructions
Adds citation from a PDF
Sharing options X7 and above users have sharing options / email compressed libraries UNC-CH members have unlimited groups See group options here
 		 Share unlimited projects and manuscripts
Free online storage X7 and above: unlimited 5,000+ papers
(UNC-CH members have more space)		 700+ papers
(more space can be purchased)		 Unlimited
Word Processor Microsoft Word Microsoft Word
LibreOffice (latest)		 Microsoft Word
LibreOffice (all)		 Microsoft Word
Google Docs
Manuscripts for Mac

How to Choose: Balance Your Priorities

Basically, think about your needs and decide on your priorities. Possible priorities:

  • Cost: There is no cost to start using EndNote Basic, F1000 Workspace, Mendeley, or Zotero.
  • Working without internet access: You can use the references stored in EndNote, Mendeley or Zotero without being connected to the Internet. This feature is coming soon from F1000.
  • Storing PDFs: EndNote, F1000 Workspace, Mendeley, or Zotero allow you to integrate downloaded PDFs with your reference database. EndNote will search for available full-text when you are on campus and this is a very quick way to download and organize the full-text of multiple recent references.
  • Working with a team: If you are joining an established team that has already chosen a particular reference management tool, it is a good idea to learn to use that tool. If you are just forming a team, look at the sharing features in F1000 Workspace, Mendeley, and Zotero.
  • Systematic Reviews: HSL librarians prefer EndNote Desktop or F1000 Workspace for systematic reviews. Both allow ingestion of large result files from multiple databases and provide deduplication options.

Remember that you may move your references between programs, so if you don't like one program you can always switch.

How to Choose: Compare Features

See the PDF below for a more detailed comparison of EndNote Basic, EndNote Desktop + Basic, F1000 Workspace, and Mendeley, including application to four use cases (Public Health Graduate Students, Medical Residents, Research Lab Team, Systematic Review Team)

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