JabRef

An open-source, cross-platform citation and reference management tool.

Visit Website →

Overview

JabRef is a free and open-source, cross-platform citation and reference management software. It uses BibTeX and BibLaTeX as its native formats and is therefore typically used for LaTeX. JabRef is designed for academics and researchers to collect, organize, and cite their sources.

✨ Key Features

  • Native BibTeX and BibLaTeX support
  • Cross-platform (Windows, macOS, Linux)
  • Advanced search and filtering
  • Customizable citation key generator
  • Integration with LaTeX editors
  • Browser extension for importing references

🎯 Key Differentiators

  • Excellent support for BibTeX and BibLaTeX
  • Open-source and highly customizable
  • Strong integration with the LaTeX ecosystem

Unique Value: JabRef provides a powerful and flexible solution for managing bibliographies in the LaTeX ecosystem, with a strong focus on the BibTeX and BibLaTeX formats.

🎯 Use Cases (4)

Researchers and academics who use LaTeX Managing BibTeX and BibLaTeX databases Collaborating on LaTeX documents Organizing a large collection of research papers

✅ Best For

  • Creating a bibliography for a LaTeX document
  • Managing a shared BibTeX file for a research group
  • Importing references from online databases into a BibTeX file

💡 Check With Vendor

Verify these considerations match your specific requirements:

  • Users who are not familiar with LaTeX and BibTeX

🏆 Alternatives

Zotero Mendeley BibDesk

For LaTeX users, JabRef is often preferred over other reference managers due to its native support for BibTeX and its extensive customization options. It is a more specialized tool than general-purpose reference managers like Zotero or Mendeley.

💻 Platforms

Windows macOS Linux

✅ Offline Mode Available

🔌 Integrations

LaTeX editors (e.g., TeXstudio, LyX, Kile, Emacs, Vim) Microsoft Word LibreOffice OpenOffice

💰 Pricing

Contact for pricing
Free Tier Available

Free tier: N/A

Visit JabRef Website →