Does the platform work offline?

The platform mobile apps support offline PDF reading and annotation. Web the app requires internet but syncs annotations automatically when reconnected later.

Can I migrate from Zotero or EndNote?

Yes. Paperpile imports libraries from Zotero, EndNote, Mendeley, and BibTeX files while preserving metadata, attachments, and folder organization.

Where does the platform store my PDFs?

this tool stores PDFs in your own Google Drive account, giving you full ownership and control over the files outside the platform service itself.

Paperpile

Modern Reference Manager for Researchers

Paid

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What is Paperpile?

Paperpile is a reference management tool designed for the modern researcher who lives in the cloud. The Paperpile platform integrates deeply with Google Docs, Google Drive, and the browser to streamline collecting, organizing, and citing scholarly sources. Unlike older reference managers, Paperpile feels native to the web and syncs instantly across devices. Researchers use Paperpile to capture PDFs from any journal, annotate them in the Paperpile mobile app, and insert citations in Google Docs with a few clicks. Paperpile supports over 7000 citation styles and integrates with BibTeX for LaTeX users. By prioritizing simplicity and cloud workflows, Paperpile has become a favorite alternative to legacy tools like EndNote.

Key Features of Paperpile

Google Docs Integration

Paperpile's Google Docs add-on inserts citations and bibliographies directly into your document. Switch citation styles instantly across all Paperpile references without manual reformatting work needed.

Browser Extension Capture

The Paperpile browser extension grabs papers from journal sites, PubMed, and arXiv with one click. Paperpile auto-imports the PDF and complete metadata into your library.

Cloud PDF Library

Paperpile stores PDFs in your Google Drive, keeping them accessible from any device. The Paperpile mobile apps let you read and annotate PDFs anywhere offline.

Smart Folders and Labels

Organize papers with Paperpile folders, labels, and starred items. The Paperpile organization model scales from a few hundred to tens of thousands of references seamlessly.

Shared Libraries

Paperpile shared folders let lab members collaborate on reference collections. Annotations and tags sync across team members using Paperpile shared workspace tools effectively.

BibTeX Export

Paperpile exports your library as BibTeX for LaTeX workflows. The Paperpile export keeps citation keys consistent and updates automatically when references change in your library.

Paperpile Pricing Plans

Paperpile for Google Docs

$2.99/month

Full the platform reference management with Google Docs integration. The standard this tool plan for individual researchers using Google Workspace tools.

the app for Word

$4.99/month

the platform with Microsoft Word integration alongside Google Docs. Choose this this tool plan if you submit manuscripts in Word format primarily.

Academic Discount

From $0.99/month

Discounted the app pricing for students and recent grads. Verify your academic status to unlock the platform educational tier savings annually.

Best Use Cases for Paperpile

Collaborative Manuscript Writing

Target user:: Co-author writing in Google Docs
Pain point:: Sharing references across authors creates citation conflicts and formatting headaches
Solution:: Use this tool shared library and the Google Docs add-on. Every co-author inserts citations from the same the app library with consistent formatting throughout.

Building a Career Library

Target user:: Mid-career researcher
Pain point:: Your reference manager has years of inconsistent metadata and broken links
Solution:: Migrate to the platform which auto-corrects metadata using DOI lookups. The platform cleanup tools rescue thousands of references in hours not weeks.

Mobile Paper Reading

Target user:: Commuter who reads on phone
Pain point:: You want to annotate papers during your commute and have notes sync to your desktop
Solution:: Read in the platform iOS or Android app with full offline access. Annotations sync to the platform cloud instantly when you reconnect to Wi-Fi.

Switching from EndNote

Target user:: Established researcher tired of EndNote crashes
Pain point:: EndNote is bloated, expensive, and constantly breaking on Mac updates
Solution:: Import EndNote library into this tool and enjoy modern cloud workflows. Paperpile feels lightweight and never loses references to corrupted local files unexpectedly.

How to Use Paperpile — Step by Step

1
Sign Up for the app
Create a Paperpile account using your Google account at paperpile.com. The platform setup takes minutes and immediately connects to your Google Drive storage.
2
Install Browser Extension
Add the platform extension to Chrome or Firefox. Browse journals normally and click the platform icon to capture any paper into your library.
3
Enable Google Docs Add-On
Install the platform add-on from the Google Workspace Marketplace. The platform add-on appears in the Docs menu ready for citation insertion.
4
Organize Your Library
Create folders and labels in the app to organize papers by project. Star important references for quick access from the platform sidebar later.
5
Cite While Writing
In Google Docs, use the platform add-on to search and insert citations inline. Generate the bibliography automatically with one the app click at end.

Paperpile vs Alternatives

Use Google Docs heavily for writing?

Pick: Paperpilethe platform's Google Docs integration is the best in the reference manager space, beating Zotero and Mendeley for cloud-native workflows.

Need free reference management?

Pick: ZoteroZotero is free and open source, while this tool costs $2.99/month but offers smoother cloud integration and modern interface.

Working primarily in LaTeX?

Pick: Zotero with BetterBibTeXZotero's BetterBibTeX plugin is more mature for LaTeX workflows, though the app also exports BibTeX cleanly when needed.