Paperpile VS Endnote

published May 9, 2024 - updated May 9, 2024

We tested Paperpile and Endnote to answer the question of many – Which one of these tools is better? Our focus was on how these reference-finding tools support academic research with their distinct features and functionalities. Paperpile, with its easy subscription and strong mobile usability, targets casual users who prefer simplicity and mobility. In contrast, Endnote should be a better fit for more advanced users by providing extensive search capabilities and comprehensive resource access, although at a higher cost.

Liked about Paperpile
  • Affordable academic plan
  • Includes a Chrome extension and mobile apps for better accessibility.
  • Enables viewing of abstracts on the platform.
Liked about Endnote
  • Full texts of sources
  • Integrates with MS Word and Google Docs
  • Effective for organizing personal libraries with smart groups
TOP services Our verdict AHelp Score 🔥 Updated March 2024
Service icon
AHELP Reference Finder
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Best reference finder 96/100 Get free access
Service icon
Consensus
Best result relevance 95/100 Read review
Service icon
Semantic Scholar
Best free service 93/100 Read review
Service icon
Mendeley
Most convenient on mobile devices 90/100 Read review
Service icon
Science.gov
Best search filters 88/100 Read review
PAPERPILEENDNOTE
Best fit forCasual users and those needing quick access on mobile devicesAdvanced users who need comprehensive source materials
A*Help Score⭐⭐⭐
62/100
⭐⭐⭐
67/100
Search Quality⭐⭐⭐
Limited source variety and poor filtering options
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Strong source variety with effective full-text retrieval
Overall Experience⭐⭐⭐⭐
Mobile-friendly tool even though the desktop interface seems a little outdated
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Requires initial setup but provides robust tools
Value for Money⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
More affordable with essential features

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Higher cost but it’s justified by more sophisticated features

Searching Quality: Paperpile VS Endnote

Our review indicates that Endnote performs much better than Paperpile in terms of search quality, with a score of 39 out of 50 compared to Paperpile’s 26. In addition to offering a wide variety of sources—such as books, journals, and conference materials—Endnote can also get entire texts from the internet when they are accessible. This feature greatly boosts the effectiveness of research. Paperpile, on the other hand, struggles to access and filter a wide variety of sources, even if it works well for simple searches. Additionally, users are unable to conveniently narrow searches or access books and conference proceedings—both of which are essential for thorough literature reviews. In our opinion, this constraint affects the platform’s usefulness for more in-depth academic study.

Search results at PaperPile
Search results at PaperPile (click to see a large image)
A screenshot of search results at Endnote
Search results at Endnote (click to see a large image)
Sources searched PAPERPILE ENDNOTE
Climate change effects on Polar bears
– shows relevant results
– features highly-cited sources n/a
Newest data on Mars rover findings
– shows relevant results
– features highly-cited sources n/a

Comparing Value for Money: Paperpile VS Endnote

We found that Paperpile offers significant value for people on a budget, charging only $2.99 per month for its academic plan. It’s definitely one of the most competitive monthly prices. This plan includes all essential features needed for basic reference management, which makes Paperpile an attractive option for individuals or small teams not requiring extensive database access.

Conversely, Endnote’s pricing model is quite steep. However, the cost is justified for users who need to manage detailed and large research projects or are involved in research work in different disciplines. The one-time purchase options may look initially expensive, but it’s important to understand that it eliminates ongoing costs, providing long-term value for serious researchers. This makes us believe that Endnote is especially appealing to individuals who frequently engage in complex research and publication activities.

An image showing citing options at PaperPile
Citing at PaperPile (click to see a large image)
An image showing reference summary at Endnote
Reference summary at Endnote (click to see a large image)

Comparing Overall Experience: Paperpile VS Endnote

Paperpile resembles a roller coaster ride in its functionality. While the service shows promise, every time we find something positive, there’s a drawback that dampens our enthusiasm—a series of ups and downs, if you will. It’s clearly designed for users who are well-integrated into the Google ecosystem, as it requires a Google account for registration and demands the installation of a Chrome extension for use. Obviously, this poses limitations for those who prefer other browsers or email services. The interface, despite being fast in terms of performance, looks somewhat outdated and often leads to a confusing user experience. Small and non-intuitive buttons and layout elements complicate basic tasks such as saving, citing, and sharing references. While saving references is possible within a personal library and sharing can be done via links or email, the overall process feels unnecessarily complex. The platform’s speed and general operational efficiency are undermined by its ambiguous and sometimes misleading interface, which can slow down the research process.

A screenshot showing article editing at PaperPile
Article editing at PaperPile (click to see a large image)
A screenshot of libraries at Endnote
Available libraries at Endnote (click to see a large image)

Endnote is the choice for users seeking all-inclusive reference management tools and are accustomed to professional-grade software. The initial setup involves downloading and installing a desktop application and completing a registration that includes entering billing information, even just to access the trial period. Once installed, however, the interface is straightforward and functional, designedfor people who need efficient reference management without unnecessary frills. Endnote supports saving references in personal libraries or customized smart groups, which enhances its organizational capabilities. The tool is particularly strong in its integration with external reference management tools and databases, offering wide functionalities for managing lengthy and complicated research projects. The platform’s search functionality is powerful, but it requires users to have specific information about the publications they are seeking. This can make the search process tedious and confusing for those less familiar with their research details. Despite these complexities, once users familiarize themselves with Endnote, it becomes an invaluable tool for detailed scholarly work. 

In comparing the two, Endnote’s initial complexities are offset by its powerful functionalities suited for in-depth research, while Paperpile’s approachability is hampered by an interface that could benefit from modernization and more intuitive design elements. Each platform offers distinct advantages depending on the user’s specific needs and level of expertise in handling reference management tools.

The Verdict

Our comparison comes to the conclusion that the user’s particular demands and financial limitations should be considered when choosing between Paperpile and Endnote. Paperpile is the best option for anybody looking for a simple and affordable tool. It offers basic features that are ideal for short, regular academic assignments. Endnote, on the other hand, stands out despite its greater cost to more experienced users who need depth and complete skills in their research pursuits, providing a strong foundation for prolonged scholarly study and writing.

Main Specs: Paperpile VS Endnote

> Quality and Variety of SourcesPaperpileEndnote
journals
booksn/a
conferencesn/a
> Comprehensiveness (study types, domains)
access to full texts or abstracts
Relevance (Up-to-Date Information)
> Citation Formatting
MLA
APA
Chicago
Harvard
Other styles
> Subscription Cost / pricing
Free 30-day trial:
all features included

Academic Plan $2.99/month billed annually:
All features included
– For academic institutions, non-profits and personal use

Business Plan $9.99/month billed annually:
– All features included
– For business and industry
No free plan is available. 30 days free trial should allow to learn everything about functionality.

Upgrade License – If you have EndNote 20 (or earlier), upgrade to EndNote 21 today. – $125 (one-time purchase)

Full License – If you’re buying EndNote for the first time, this option is for you – $275

Student License – Verify your EndNote student discount eligibility to receive EndNote at this discounted price. – $150
> User experience
saving
copying
sharing
Integration with Reference Management Tools

(Endnote reference manger)
search functionality and filtering options
AI assistant
> Support
live chat
blog
help center

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