compare
JabRef vs Zotero
The same facts for both, read from GitHub every night, and the relation a person reviewed.
| Fact | JabRef | Zotero |
|---|---|---|
| Language | Java | JavaScript |
| Licence | MIT | Other |
| Stars | 4.8k | 15k |
| Latest | v5.15 | 10.0.5 |
| Last push | 2026-10-06 | 2026-10-06 |
| Release cadence | too few releases | too few releases |
| Active contributors | 49+ commit authors on the default branch in the last 90 days | 11 commit authors on the default branch in the last 90 days |
| Flags | none | none |
How they relate
Both replace EndNote. Alternatives to EndNote →
PartialJabRefReference libraries with linked PDFs, stored as BibTeX.
Full replacementZoteroLibraries of references and PDFs with citations in thousands of styles.
Both replace Mendeley. Alternatives to Mendeley →
PartialJabRefDesktop manager for BibTeX and BibLaTeX libraries, aimed at LaTeX users.
Full replacementZoteroCollects, organises and annotates papers, cites them in Word, LibreOffice and Google Docs, and imports a Mendeley library.
JabRef
- v6.0-beta.12026-09-21We added a native query field for catalogs on the SLR dialog. #17199pre-release
- v6.0-alpha.62026-05-14Book covers now download automatically when you open an entry with an ISBN. #14848pre-release
- v6.0-alpha.52026-02-21We added the ability to remove XMP metadata from linked files. #8277pre-release
- v6.0-alpha.42025-12-25We added the ability to drag and drop images to the comments field. #10559pre-release
- v6.0-alpha.32025-10-30We added an initial cite as you write ("CAYW") endpoint. #13187pre-release
Zotero
This repository publishes tags, not GitHub releases.
JabRef
unsigned The latest release, v5.15, carries no signature GitHub could verify.
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Zotero
unsigned The latest release, 10.0.5, carries no signature GitHub could verify.
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