RefWorks alternatives: Weighing the Pros and Cons

Wittenberg's subscription to RefWorks will end June 30th, 2009. Personal RefWorks subscriptions cost $100 annually. Please consider EndNote Web (a subscription resource provided through OhioLINK) or Zotero (freely available) for your bibliographic management service needs.

University of Wisconsin-Madison Libraries created a comparison chart for four different solutions to help you manage your references. (It is important to note EndNote Web is a web application that does not require you to install software on your computer; EndNote Deskptop version has more features, but must be purchased and installed on your computer.)

Some things to consider...

• EndNote Web
  • Pros
    • Since it is a web-based application, like RefWorks, it is accessible wherever you have internet access - nothing is stored locally on the computer's hard drive
    • Easy to import/create new references
    • Support and training is provided by EndNote Web
  • Cons
    • Subscription depends on OhioLINK's subscription to ISI Web of Knowledge - Thomas Library cannot guarantee access to this resource
• Zotero
  • Pros
    • Freely available - access is not dependent upon OhioLINK's budget
    • Offers advanced functionality including timelines of when you added references, automatically saves screen shots of webpages, allows you to add notes and highlight webpages, and much more
    • Although Thomas Library cannot guarantee access to Zotero, it has been around since 2006 and is now up to version 2.0
    • You can sync your database to Zotero's servers, making it accessible from multiple devices (as long as Firefox and Zotero are installed)
  • Cons
    • You must have Mozilla's Firefox browser installed.
    • Zotero is not web-based, so you will need to make sure Zotero is installed on every device you use.
    • Your database is saved locally. This means it will take up some space on your H drive if you are using it on campus.
• Spreadsheet or database management software (like Microsoft Excel or Access)
  • Pros
    • You have total control of your data
    • It is not dependent upon a subscription
  • Cons
    • Accessibility varies depending upon where you save the file (hard drive, portable USB drive, H drive)
    • No support provided for maintaining your database
    • No easy importing of references
    • No easy creation of bibliography or works cited list

Comments, questions, suggestions?

Please contact Kristen Gibson.

Return to: Library Homepage >> Research Resources >> Refworks