Trying to keep track of all your research for school or work can be a real headache. That's where bibliography apps come in! They help you organize your sources, create citations, and even generate bibliographies in seconds. With so many apps out there, it can be tough to choose. That's why we've compiled a list of the 15 best bibliography apps for Android and iPhone, based on their ease of use, features, and overall value.
We've got you covered whether you're a student drowning in research papers or a professional needing to cite sources for a report. Our top picks include R Discovery, Researcher, and Citation Maker, all packed with powerful features that will streamline your workflow and help you stay organized. Ready to ditch the paper scraps and embrace the future of research? Let's dive in!
| App | Logo | Available On | Reviews | Downloads | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. R Discovery |  | Android, iOS | 4.8/5 | 2M+ | 250M+ research articles, 40M+ open access articles |
| 2. Researcher |  | Android, iOS | 4.3/5 | 2M+ | Keyword and author feeds, Notifications and trending papers |
| 3. Citation Maker |  | Android, iOS | 4.4/5 | 189K+ | Real-time preview, Flexible citation, Multiple styles |
| 4. Paperbot for Mendeley |  | Android | 2.4/5 | 166K+ | Access from anywhere, Annotate and highlight, Improved PDF Reading |
| 5. Citation Generator Lite |  | Android, iOS | 3.9/5 | 85K+ | No internet required, Straightforward application, Free APA Word template |
| 6. Reference Generator |  | Android, iOS | 0/5 | 58K+ | Multiple source options, Unlimited reference generation |
| 7. Normas APA Generador |  | Android | 0/5 | 56K+ | Easy to use, Accurate results, Time-saving |
1. R Discovery
Curated research library based on interests, Access to 250 million+ research articles
Download:
Application information
| Category | Bibliography App |
| Downloads | Over 2 Million Downloads |
| Features | R Discovery allows you to search for and read research papers, curate academic reading lists, receive personalized article recommendations, and easily save and organize articles for future reference. |
| Who It’s For | Students, researchers, and anyone who needs to access and manage academic literature. |
- Tags:
- AI-powered literature search
- Personalized academic reading library
- Access to 250M+ research articles
R Discovery is a powerful bibliography app that helps you explore the world of research with ease. Its intuitive interface makes it simple to discover relevant articles, even in unfamiliar fields. The dark mode is a welcome feature for late-night study sessions, and the app offers a wealth of open-access articles. While users have highlighted the need for more personalized feeds and a more robust search function, R Discovery remains a valuable tool for anyone seeking to stay current with the latest research.
Pros & Cons
- Access to vast research
- Dark mode for reading
- Good for exploring fields
- Easy to read articles
- Limited search options
- Back button issue
- Download issues
Why we chose it?
I've tried a bunch of bibliography apps, but R Discovery is my absolute favorite! It's super easy to use, with a clean and intuitive interface, plus it has access to a massive library of research articles, including open access and preprints. The best part? It automatically saves your references and citations, so you can focus on reading and researching, not formatting.
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2. Researcher
Follow journals, preprints, and more, Get notifications on new papers
Download:
Application information
| Category | Bibliography App |
| Downloads | Over 1.9 Million |
| Features | Researcher provides a centralized platform for discovering, organizing, and interacting with scientific and academic research, offering features like journal tracking, preprint monitoring, personalized feeds, discussion forums, and integrations with Mendeley and Zotero. |
| Who It’s For | Researchers, students, and professionals in academic and scientific fields who need to stay up-to-date with the latest research. |
- Tags:
- Cutting-edge research
- Personalized keyword feeds
- Notifications and trending papers
Researcher is a powerful bibliography app for scientists and researchers who want to stay on top of the latest research. The app provides a streamlined way to access a vast collection of scholarly content, including peer-reviewed journals, preprints, and even scientific blogs. Users praise the app's intuitive interface, with many highlighting its smooth and pleasant design. However, some users have expressed a desire for more granular control over their research experience, such as the ability to filter articles by availability or the addition of push notifications to keep them engaged. While the app may not yet be perfect, its potential for becoming the go-to tool for scientific discovery is clear.
Pros & Cons
- Easy access to scientific articles
- Smooth and pleasant interface
- Allows saving and bookmarking articles
- Simple and easy to use
- Landscape mode issues
- PDFs for arXiv don't load
- No push notifications for articles
Why we chose it?
Researcher is a fantastic choice for a bibliography app because it goes beyond just organizing your sources. It lets you stay up-to-date with the latest research across thousands of journals, preprints, and more. With its unique Researcher Live feature, you can even connect with scientists and discuss papers in real-time, making it the perfect tool for staying on top of your field and building your network.
✨ Read more: app for essay
3. Citation Maker
Generate citations in 5 styles, Real-time preview while typing
Download:
Application information
| Category | Productivity |
| Downloads | Almost two hundred thousand |
| Features | This bibliography app enables users to easily generate citations in various styles like MLA, APA, Chicago, IEEE, and Harvard, with real-time preview and flexibility even with incomplete information. |
| Who It’s For | Students, researchers, and anyone who needs to cite sources in their writing. |
- Tags:
- Real-time Preview
- Flexible citation creation
- Supports multiple styles
Citation Maker is a lifesaver for students struggling with the intricacies of bibliography formatting. While it doesn't magically do all the work for you, it makes generating references a breeze. This mobile bibliography app simplifies the process, allowing you to effortlessly create citations in various styles, like APA, MLA, Chicago, and more. Users praise its ease of use, especially for those who aren't fully comfortable with the intricacies of formatting, and find it a significant time-saver. While some users wish for additional features like to-do lists and history options, Citation Maker remains a highly recommended tool for navigating the often-daunting world of bibliographies.
Pros & Cons
- Saves time on citations
- Easy to use interface
- Generates various citation styles
- Better than other bibliography apps
- Doesn't handle capitalization correctly
- Lacks to-do list and history features
- Requires basic knowledge of citation styles
Why we chose it?
Citation Maker is my go-to app for bibliography because it's super easy to use and generates citations in all the major styles, including MLA, APA, Chicago, IEEE, and Harvard. I love how you can see the citation update in real-time as you type, which makes it a breeze to get everything perfect. Plus, it's flexible enough to work even with missing information, so I never have to worry about incomplete citations.
✨ Read more: app for assignments
4. Paperbot for Mendeley
Offline PDF Access, Mendeley Library Sync, PDF Highlighting & Notes
Cost:
Free (Free), Pro ($4.99/month)
Download:
Application information
| Category | Productivity |
| Downloads | Over 165,000 downloads |
| Features | Paperbot for Mendeley lets you access, download, annotate, and organize your Mendeley library on your tablet or smartphone, making it a powerful tool for managing your research and creating bibliographies. |
| Who It’s For | Researchers, students, and anyone who uses Mendeley to manage their references. |
- Tags:
- Offline access
- Highlighting & annotation
- Advanced library management
Paperbot for Mendeley is a powerful mobile bibliography app that allows you to access and manage your entire Mendeley library on the go. While early versions faced some stability issues, the developers have demonstrated responsiveness and commitment to improvement, addressing user concerns and enhancing the app's functionality. This dedication to user feedback is evident in the app's ability to sync individual files for reading, eliminating the need to download and sync an entire library, thus addressing concerns about app performance and data usage. Now, you can seamlessly access, read, and annotate your research papers directly on your tablet or smartphone, making Paperbot an indispensable tool for any researcher or student.
Pros & Cons
- Access Mendeley library on tablet
- Convenient for reading articles
- Syncs with Mendeley account
- Developer support is responsive
- Initial setup may be unstable
- Syncing issues with large libraries
- Limited offline functionality
Why we chose it?
Paperbot for Mendeley is my go-to for managing my bibliography on the go! It seamlessly integrates with my Mendeley library, making all my references readily accessible, even offline. The ability to annotate PDFs directly within the app is a game-changer, allowing me to quickly capture and organize my research insights.
✨ Read more: app for articles
5. Citation Generator Lite
APA 7th Edition Support, Offline Citation Generation, Easy to Use Interface
Download:
Application information
| Category | Education |
| Downloads | Over 85,000 downloads |
| Features | Citation Generator Lite makes creating APA 7th edition citations and references easy with support for books, newspapers, software, websites, and more, all without requiring internet. |
| Who It’s For | Students, researchers, and anyone needing to create APA-style bibliographies |
- Tags:
- Offline access
- APA 7th Edition
- 5 Source Types
Citation Generator Lite is a lifesaver for students, especially those juggling online coursework. This bibliography app has earned rave reviews from users who are "so glad it's at [their] reach," and for good reason. One student, who has "searched for plenty of different applications to get APA format," found this app to be the perfect solution, enabling them to submit essays correctly and achieve top grades. It's clear that Citation Generator Lite is a valuable tool for students striving for academic success.
Pros & Cons
- Easy to use APA format
- Helpful for college papers
- Saves time and effort
- Accurate citation generation
- Limited citation styles
- May not handle complex sources
- No direct export to word
Why we chose it?
Citation Generator Lite is a fantastic choice for creating bibliographies because it's super easy to use and doesn't require internet access. I love that it's specifically tailored for APA 7th edition, which is super helpful for students and researchers. Plus, it comes with a free Word document template and a tutorial to make formatting a breeze!
6. Reference Generator
Generate references for various styles, Supports 10 different source types
Cost:
Free (Free), Premium ($9.99/month)
Download:
Application information
| Category | Productivity |
| Downloads | Over 57,000 downloads |
| Features | This bibliography app enables quick and easy reference generation for various source types including books, websites, journals, and more, allowing for effortless citation creation. |
| Who It’s For | Students, researchers, and anyone needing to create citations for academic papers or essays. |
- Tags:
- Free reference generator
- Multiple reference styles
- Easy to use
Say goodbye to the tedious task of crafting bibliographies! Reference Generator is a mobile bibliography app designed to streamline your academic writing process. This user-friendly app effortlessly generates references in a variety of formats, cutting down the time you spend on this crucial step by half, according to user feedback. It's highly recommended by students and academics, and while it currently supports popular sources like books, journals, and websites, users are eager to see expanded options for citing interviews, blogs, and other unique sources in the future.
Pros & Cons
- Easy to use and smooth
- Cuts down reference time
- User-friendly interface
- Generates references for many sources
- Limited MLA format options
- Lacks support for interviews, blogs
- Could benefit from more source types
Why we chose it?
I've tried a ton of bibliography apps, but Reference Generator really stands out! It's super simple to use – just tell it what kind of source you have (book, website, journal, etc.) and fill in the details. It generates perfect references in APA, MLA, or Harvard style, which saves me so much time and frustration. Plus, it's completely free!
7. Normas APA Generador
Automatic APA reference generation, Supports various reference types
Download:
Application information
| Category | Education |
| Downloads | Over 56,000 downloads |
| Features | Automatically generates APA-formatted citations and references for books, articles, websites, and more, including in-text citations and complete bibliographies. |
| Who It’s For | Students, researchers, and anyone who needs to create APA-style bibliographies. |
- Tags:
- Generates APA references
- Easy to use
- Time-saving
Tired of struggling with APA formatting for your citations? The Normas APA Generador app is a lifesaver! It effortlessly creates accurate APA references for a wide variety of sources, from books to journal articles to even online content, freeing you up to focus on the content of your research. With its user-friendly interface and comprehensive support for the latest APA standards, this app takes the stress out of creating a perfect bibliography. It's like having a personal APA expert right at your fingertips!
Pros & Cons
- Easy to use bibliography app
- Generates APA references correctly
- Saves time on formatting citations
- Free and accessible to everyone
- Limited features compared to others
- No offline access for references
- May not be accurate for all sources
Why we chose it?
Normas APA Generador is a lifesaver for anyone struggling with APA formatting! It effortlessly generates accurate references and citations, saving me tons of time and stress. The app handles both in-text citations and full reference lists with ease, making it perfect for research papers, essays, and even presentations. It's user-friendly and super fast, so I can focus on my writing instead of getting bogged down in formatting rules.
8. Paperpile
Collect and organize research papers, Generate citations and bibliographies
Download:
Application information
| Category | Bibliography app |
| Downloads | Over 50,000 downloads |
| Features | Paperpile helps you collect, manage, read, and annotate research papers, organize your library with folders and labels, cite your sources, and generate bibliographies in various formats. |
| Who It’s For | Researchers, students, and anyone who needs to manage and cite academic literature. |
- Tags:
- Easy PDF Management
- Powerful search engine
- Seamless integration
Paperpile is a powerful bibliography app that seamlessly connects your research across multiple devices, making it a true game-changer for academics and researchers. This app is lauded for its robust feature set, including detailed annotations, multi-color highlighting, and a dark mode, all while ensuring lightning-fast syncing between platforms. While the desktop and web versions of Paperpile are exceptional, the Android app still has some room for improvement, particularly with annotation stability and default pen setting options. However, the app's core functionality, its ability to bridge the gap between different devices, and its promise of future updates, make Paperpile a standout choice for managing and organizing your research materials.
Pros & Cons
- Multi-platform support for research
- Excellent annotation features with Pencil
- Instant syncing with low latency
- Flawless Chrome integration with extension
- Android app lacks annotation stability
- No default pen settings for annotations
- Limited Google Docs citation support
Why we chose it?
Paperpile is my go-to for managing my research because it's super easy to import PDFs and organize them into folders. I love that I can annotate directly on the PDF and generate citations in multiple formats with just a few clicks. It's the only app I've found that makes the whole research process feel less overwhelming!
9. Citationsy
Scan barcodes for easy citing, Over 9,000 citation styles, Organize citations into projects
Cost:
Free (Free), Premium ($5.99/month)
Download:
Application information
| Category | Bibliography app |
| Downloads | Over 37,000 downloads |
| Features | Citationsy is a bibliography app that helps users generate citations in over 9,000 different styles, organize citations into projects, and export them in various formats. |
| Who It’s For | Students, researchers, and anyone who needs to create citations for their work. |
- Tags:
- Easy citation generation
- 9,000+ citation styles
- Seamless project organization
Citationsy is a powerful bibliography app for mobile devices that can save you a ton of time when creating citations. While users love its ability to scan barcodes for books and generate citations in over 9,000 different formats, some have expressed a need for better integration with other platforms and a more intuitive user interface. Despite those concerns, one user was thrilled with its ability to remember past projects, allowing them to scan multiple books quickly and easily export citations for use in word processing programs. If you're looking for a bibliography app to streamline your research and writing process, Citationsy is worth checking out.
Pros & Cons
- Easy to use interface
- Supports multiple citation styles
- Quickly scans books for citations
- Saves time with copy/paste feature
- Lack of integration with other apps
- Limited sharing options
- Unclear user interface for new users
Why we chose it?
Citationsy is a lifesaver for anyone who needs to create bibliographies. It handles over 9,000 citation styles, including all the popular ones like APA, MLA, and Chicago, so you're covered no matter what format you need. It even lets you scan the barcode of a book to automatically add it to your bibliography! Plus, it's completely free and syncs seamlessly between your phone and computer.
10. Referencer
Generates APA citations, Cites multiple source types, Saves and exports citations
Download:
Application information
| Category | Tools |
| Downloads | Over 25,000 downloads |
| Features | Referencer provides a streamlined and efficient way to generate accurate APA citations for various source types. |
| Who It’s For | Students, researchers, and anyone needing to create bibliographies in APA style. |
- Tags:
- Easy to use
- Time-saving
- Accurate citations
Tired of struggling with APA citations? Referencer is the bibliography app that makes citing sources a breeze. Students rave about its ease of use, praising it as a "good app for creating citations as a first time." Whether you're a university student tackling a complex essay or simply need to quickly cite a website, Referencer provides the perfect tool for ensuring accuracy and efficiency. As one user aptly put it, "being at the top of your game...requires the right tools," and Referencer is a must-have for anyone looking to streamline their research and writing process.
Pros & Cons
- Easy to use for beginners
- Helpful for creating citations
- Saves time on bibliography
- Recommended for university students
- Limited to APA style
- May not be suitable for advanced users
- Sofa score comment is irrelevant
Why we chose it?
Referencer is my go-to app for creating bibliographies because it's super easy to use and saves me tons of time. I love that I can quickly cite almost any type of source – from books to websites to journal articles – and the app automatically formats everything perfectly in APA style. Plus, it's completely free, so there's no risk in giving it a try!
11. Referencer
Harvard style citations, Easy to use interface, Supports various sources
Download:
Application information
| Category | Tools |
| Downloads | Over 23,000 downloads |
| Features | Referencer helps you quickly and easily create citations and bibliographies using the Harvard referencing style. |
| Who It’s For | Students, researchers, and anyone who needs to create bibliographies in the Harvard style. |
- Tags:
- Easy to use
- Fast and efficient
- Supports multiple source types
Referencer is a lifesaver for anyone struggling with bibliographies, especially in the Harvard style. This handy mobile app takes the stress out of citing sources, making it a breeze to format references correctly. Users rave about its ease of use, and while features like a memory, share button, and copy functionality are being requested, the core functionality is already highly praised. The app's effectiveness is evident in the enthusiastic feedback, with users echoing sentiments like "Best referencing app EVER" and "amazing guys this is good thanks". While some users have expressed concerns about excessive ads, the overall consensus is that Referencer is a valuable and efficient bibliography app.
Pros & Cons
- Easy to use bibliography app
- Great for Harvard referencing
- Helpful for students and researchers
- Saves time on citations
- Too many ads present
- Lacks memory and share options
- No easy way to copy references
Why we chose it?
Referencer is a lifesaver for anyone who needs to create a bibliography quickly and easily. It's super simple to use, just paste the URL or information for your source, and it automatically generates a citation in Harvard style. Plus, it even allows you to manage all your citations in one place, so you can easily copy and paste them into your paper. I can't imagine writing a paper without it!
12. BibTex Manager
Import BibTeX files easily, Search within your references, Manage multiple bibliography files
Download:
Application information
| Category | Productivity |
| Downloads | Almost 20,000 downloads |
| Features | BibTeX Manager lets you manage your BibTeX files on your Android device, easily syncing them from Zotero and other sources. |
| Who It’s For | Researchers, students, and anyone who uses BibTeX to manage their bibliographies |
- Tags:
- Seamless Zotero Integration
- No annoying ads
- Privacy-conscious design
BibTeX Manager is a fantastic mobile bibliography app that brings the power of BibTeX to your Android device. Users rave about its simplicity and ease of use, praising its ability to seamlessly integrate with popular research tools like Zotero. While it currently lacks filtering by JabRef tags, it's a highly-rated app for managing your bibliographic data on the go, making it a must-have for researchers and academics.
Pros & Cons
- Good Android BibTex app
- Easy to manage citations
- Import and export BibTex files
- Syncs with online repositories
- Limited filtering options
- Lacks advanced search features
- No direct JabRef tag integration
Why we chose it?
I absolutely love BibTeX Manager for managing my bibliography on the go! It's free, ad-free, and doesn't collect any of my data. Plus, its simple interface and seamless integration with Zotero make it a breeze to keep my references organized. It's the perfect app for anyone who needs a reliable and efficient way to manage their bibliography on their phone!
13. Easy Referencing
Supports over 10,000 styles, Scans book barcodes, generates references
Cost:
Free (Free), Premium ($19.99/year)
Download:
Application information
| Category | Education |
| Downloads | Over 16,000 downloads |
| Features | Easy Referencing is a bibliography app that supports over 10,000 referencing styles, scans book barcodes, searches online databases, generates references from websites, and allows for organization by projects. |
| Who It’s For | Students who want to easily generate correct citations for their assignments. |
- Tags:
- 10,000+ Referencing Styles
- Automatic Reference Generation
- University Specific Styles
Say goodbye to the dreaded bibliography! Easy Referencing is the ultimate mobile app for students, offering a seamless and efficient way to create accurate citations and references in a snap. With its extensive library of over 10,000 styles, including university-specific formats, this powerful bibliography app ensures your work is always properly formatted. Users rave about its user-friendliness, praising its ability to "make quick work of long tedious referencing" and its helpful customer support, with one user noting they received an "immediate response and fix" for their issue. As one student aptly put it, "This will be a staple in every student's smartphone."
Pros & Cons
- Fast and responsive support
- Meets user needs effectively
- Simplifies complex referencing tasks
- Essential tool for students
- Limited information on pricing
- No mention of offline functionality
- No reviews on app store
Why we chose it?
Easy Referencing is a lifesaver for anyone who struggles with bibliographies! It has over 10,000 different referencing styles, so you can be sure it covers your specific needs. Plus, it lets you scan book barcodes or search their massive database to automatically generate references, which is super fast and easy. Honestly, I've never had a bibliography app this user-friendly and comprehensive!
14. Referencias APA Vancouver MLA
Generates citations for all formats, Provides format rules and examples
Download:
Application information
| Category | Education |
| Downloads | Over 15,000 downloads |
| Features | Generates properly formatted references in APA, Vancouver, and MLA styles, including citations and bibliographies. |
| Who It’s For | Students, researchers, and anyone needing to create bibliographies in academic formats. |
- Tags:
- Citation generator
- APA, Vancouver, MLA styles
- Easy-to-use interface
"Referencias APA Vancouver MLA" is a must-have bibliography app for students and researchers who need to effortlessly format citations in the most popular academic styles. The app simplifies the process of creating accurate references, eliminating the frustration of manually formatting each entry. Users rave about its accuracy and ease of use, with many noting that it "is just amazing!" While some wish the browser plug-in could better detect book sources from university presses, the app's core functionality remains highly praised. It's a testament to the app's effectiveness that users are already requesting additional features to enhance their workflow even further.. Referencias APA Vancouver MLA
Pros & Cons
- Excellent for academic bibliography
- Handles various referencing styles
- User-friendly interface for citations
- Streamlines research and writing process
- Browser plugin could be smarter
- Lack of back button for PDF links
- Limited customization options for formats
Why we chose it?
I love Referencias APA Vancouver MLA for its simplicity and clarity! It's a lifesaver for my research papers because it effortlessly generates accurate citations and references in all the popular formats. The app is super easy to use, and I can quickly find the information I need, making it a must-have for any student or researcher.
15. Referencer
Generate citations automatically, Support for multiple styles
Download:
Application information
| Category | Bibliography App |
| Downloads | Over 1,400 downloads |
| Features | Referencer is a bibliography app that automatically generates citations in Harvard, MLA, and APA styles, saving you time and ensuring accurate formatting. |
| Who It’s For | Students, researchers, and anyone who needs to cite sources in their writing. |
- Tags:
- Easy to use
- Time-saving
- Accurate citations
Struggling with citations for your academic papers? Referencer is the ultimate bibliography app that takes the stress out of proper referencing. This powerful tool guides you through the complexities of APA, MLA, and Harvard styles, ensuring your citations are accurate and consistent. With Referencer, you can confidently build a solid bibliography for any academic work, leaving you free to focus on your writing. As one user enthusiastically stated, "I will gladly recommend it to any writer who want to be dutiful in the referencing of the various materials used in his or her works."
Pros & Cons
- Simplifies referencing in academic writing
- Supports APA, MLA, and Harvard styles
- Ensures accurate and consistent citations
- Helps writers avoid plagiarism
- Limited to three referencing styles
- May not handle complex citation types
- Requires manual input of source details
Why we chose it?
Referencer is a fantastic choice for your bibliography needs! I love how easy it is to use and generate citations in different formats like Harvard, MLA, and APA. Plus, it's super quick and saves me tons of time compared to manually formatting citations.