Zotero

Zotero is a free, open source citation management tool that is powerful yet easy-to-use to collect, organize, annotate, cite, and share research efficiently.

Zotero 7 is available as a standalone desktop application for Windows, macOS, and Linux, and a mobile application for iOS (for iPhones and iPads) while Android support is coming soon. Pairing Zotero desktop with Zotero Connector, an extension for most popular web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari) will allow you to save sources directly from your web browser into your library. It will also allow you to use Zotero to insert and manage citations and bibliography on your Google Docs documents.

Here are a few reasons why Zotero stands out compared to other citation management tools:

	Free and Open Source Unlike many other citation management tools, Zotero is completely free and open source. This means you can use it without any cost, and the community-driven development ensures it continuously evolves to meet users' needs.
	Ease of Use Zotero is designed with simplicity in mind. Its intuitive interface makes it easy for users at all levels to start managing their references and organizing their research materials without a steep learning curve.
	Privacy Zotero is developed by an independent, nonprofit organization that is committed to protecting user privacy. The software is designed to function primarily as a local program, meaning that your data is stored directly on your own computer. This ensures that you have full control over your research materials without the need to share any information externally. Users can still use Zotero without having to create an account should they wish to do so.
	Sync and Collaboration Creating a Zotero account unlocks additional features that enhance your research workflow. With an account, you can easily sync your library across multiple devices, ensuring that your research materials are always up to date and accessible wherever you are. Zotero also facilitates collaboration through group libraries, allowing you to share references and notes with colleagues seamlessly.
	Advanced Features Zotero 7 comes with several advanced features that enhance its utility for researchers. You can now save high-quality publication data from a variety of sources, including websites, journal articles, and newspapers, or retrieve publication data for PDFs you drag into your library. The built-in PDF reader allows you to mark up PDFs and then seamlessly extract cited quotations and comments directly into notes or word processor documents. Zotero can automatically add publication data using DOIs or ISBNs and can even locate open-access PDFs when full access is unavailable. Zotero can also redirect you through SBU's proxy for easy access to subscription-based PDFs. Another one of Zotero’s unique features is its ability to alert you if you attempt to cite a paper that has been retracted.
	Seamless Google Docs Integration Zotero allows you to insert citations and automatically generate bibliographies directly within Google Docs, making it incredibly convenient for collaborative projects or for those who prefer working in a cloud-based environment. If Google Docs is your primary word processing software, then Zotero is the best citation management tool for you.
	Constant Improvement Zotero has been continuously developed since its launch in 2006, with regular updates introducing new features to enhance its functionality. This ongoing development ensures that Zotero remains a relevant and effective tool for managing research over time.