Zotero

Education & research

Free & open sourceEditorial overview
A CLOSER LOOK

What is Zotero?

Collect references, annotate research, and generate citations and bibliographies.

Reference library

Research annotations

Bibliographies

Word processor integration

Know what you're signing up for.

The app is free. Zotero Storage includes 300 MB at no cost; larger hosted file-storage plans are optional.

2 GB

$20 /year

USD annual subscription.

  • 2 GB hosted storage
View official plan

6 GB

$60 /year

USD annual subscription.

  • 6 GB hosted storage
View official plan

Unlimited

$120 /year

USD annual subscription.

  • Unlimited hosted storage
View official plan

Selected options, checked 13 November 2026. Confirm current terms with the provider.

Check current official pricing

The useful parts. The trade-offs.

Why consider it

Combines reference management and citation workflows.

The application is free and open source.

What to keep in mind

Hosted attachment storage has a free allowance.

Imported reference details should be checked.

How to use it well

Build a collection for one research topic and check the author, date, and title of imported references.

Try the citation workflow in a short document before using it for a long report.

Official sources

A few things you might be wondering.

Is Zotero free?

The app is free. Zotero Storage includes 300 MB at no cost; larger hosted file-storage plans are optional.

Does the storage limit cap my local library?

The listed plans concern hosted file storage; keep local storage and online synchronization requirements separate.

Where can I check the latest prices?

Use the provider link on this page. Billing period, location, team size, promotions, taxes, and optional extras may affect the amount you pay.

How should I compare this tool with alternatives?

Choose tools for the same task, then compare their feature limits, platform support, and total cost for your team. The Compare button helps you keep a shortlist.

Are the user reviews moderated?

Yes. New reviews are submitted for moderation. We show published user reviews separately from the editorial overview and never assign a default user rating.

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