A reference manager and academic network. It stores references and PDFs, generates citations, and adds a social layer for following research in a field, which is what distinguishes it from a plain bibliography tool. Elsevier describes it as a free reference manager, with paid tiers adding storage above the free allowance. The social layer is both the differentiator and the trade. It makes discovering related work easier and ties your library to a publisher-owned platform, which is a preference about ownership rather than a defect in the software.

Frequently asked questions

What is Mendeley?

A reference manager with an academic social network attached. It stores references and PDFs, produces citations and bibliographies, and lets researchers follow work in their field.

Who is it for?

Researchers, students and academics writing work with a bibliography. The social side is most useful to those tracking a research area over time.

Is Mendeley free?

Elsevier describes it as a free reference manager, with paid tiers adding storage and features. It is listed here as freemium on that basis; confirm current allowances with the vendor.

How does it compare with Zotero?

Both manage references and citations, and the difference is emphasis rather than capability. Mendeley adds the academic network and is publisher-owned; Zotero is open source with a local library. Which suits you often comes down to how you feel about each of those.

Can I use it offline?

The desktop application works locally, so your library is available without a connection, with syncing when you are online. Confirm how current versions handle offline use if that matters to your workflow.

What it is good at

Managing references and PDFs

Keeping sources and their full texts in one searchable place is the core function.

Generating citations

Producing a bibliography in the required style, and reformatting it when requirements change, is the task it removes.

Following research in a field

The network side surfaces related work and activity, which a plain reference manager does not.

Pricing

Elsevier describes Mendeley as a free reference manager, with paid tiers adding storage and features; it is listed here as freemium on that basis. Confirm current allowances on the vendor site.

Alternatives

Zotero — Open source with a local library, and no publisher ownership.
A citation feature in a word processor — Simpler, with no shared library or PDF storage.
A spreadsheet of references — Free, and unmanageable once a project grows.

What to check before you commit

Check the storage allowance

The free tier includes a limited amount. Confirm it covers your PDFs before moving a library across.

Export before you commit

Whatever you choose, keep a way to export your references. A library locked into one tool is a risk, not a feature.