Your data stays yours
Zotero is local software. Syncing is a choice. The organization behind it has no financial interest in selling your private research.
Your personal research assistant
Collect, organize, and cite research without losing the thread
Zotero is free, open-source software for saving sources from the web, keeping libraries tidy, and inserting citations in Word, LibreOffice, and Google Docs.
Windows 10 / 11 Version 10.0 ~104 MB AGPL open source
Meet Zotero.
Collect with a click.
Zotero automatically senses research as you browse the web. Need an article from JSTOR or a preprint from arXiv.org? A news story from the New York Times or a book from a library? Zotero has you covered, everywhere.
Organize your way.
Zotero helps you organize your research any way you want. You can sort items into collections and tag them with keywords. Or create saved searches that automatically fill with relevant materials as you work.
Cite in style.
Zotero instantly creates references and bibliographies for any text editor, and directly inside Word, LibreOffice, and Google Docs. With support for over 9,000 citation styles, you can format your work to match any style guide or publication.
Stay in sync.
Zotero can optionally synchronize your data across devices, keeping your files, notes, and bibliographic records up to date. If you decide to sync, you can also always access your research from any web browser.
Collaborate freely.
Zotero lets you co-write a paper with a colleague, distribute course materials to students, or build a collaborative bibliography. You can share a Zotero library with as many people you like, at no cost.
Rest easy.
Zotero is open source and developed by an independent, nonprofit organization that has no financial interest in your private information. With Zotero, you always stay in control of your own data.
Still not sure which program to use for your research? See why we think you should choose Zotero.
Compare
Zotero beside common reference managers
Criteria drawn from how Zotero describes its own approach: local control, open source, and writing tools.
| Criterion | Zotero | EndNote | Mendeley |
|---|---|---|---|
| License / cost to use core app | Free, open source (AGPL) | Commercial license | Free tier; proprietary |
| Data location | Local by default; sync optional | Desktop library; vendor ecosystem | Account-centered; proprietary DB |
| Account required | No | Varies by product | Yes to use the product |
| Citation styles | 9,000+ CSL styles | Large style library | Large style library (many CSL-based) |
| Word / Docs plugins | Word, LibreOffice, Google Docs | Word-focused | Word and others |
| Source transparency | Full source available | Closed source | Closed source |
Readable policies
You can use Zotero without creating an account. When you do sync, the privacy policy explains what is collected and why.
Installer integrity
Current Windows build: Zotero 10.0 (released August 17, 2026), about 104 MB as Zotero-10.0_x64_setup.exe. Independent security scans of the Windows package have reported clean results (virus, spyware, and malware free). See download notes for checksums and false-positive guidance.
From researchers
How people talk about Zotero
“The Connector on JSTOR and PubMed saves me a tedious afternoon every literature review. Metadata is usually right the first time.”
“Word plugin is solid. I wish the free file sync quota were larger once PDFs pile up, but the desktop library itself has never locked me out.”
“We run a shared group library for a seminar. Students finally stop pasting broken DOIs into the shared doc.”
“PDF annotations dropping into notes is the feature I recommend first. Still took a weekend to learn collections vs tags.”
“Open source mattered when our department compared tools. We can export everything and we are not stuck if a vendor changes direction.”
“Google Docs citations finally feel as dependable as Word for coauthored drafts.”
FAQ
Quick answers
Yes. The desktop application is free and open source. Optional paid storage only applies if you exceed free cloud file sync.
Yes. System requirements list Windows 10 or later, which includes Windows 11. Zotero 10 also fixed Windows 11 PDF and EPUB system-handler detection issues.
No. Install Zotero and start a local library immediately. Create an account only if you want sync or groups.
Zotero is open source. Independent scans of the Windows installer have reported clean results. Prefer the official filename for version 10.0 and read the integrity notes on the download page.
New installers are sometimes flagged before reputation builds. Cross-check the version, file size (~104 MB), and publisher. See the antivirus guide.
Download Zotero 10 for your research desk
Windows x64 setup about 104 MB. macOS and Linux builds are listed on the download page. Install the browser Connector after the desktop app.
Go to download page