What is the difference between EndNote and Paperpile?

EndNote focuses on Reference management and is paid, while Paperpile specializes in Google Docs citation plugin and is paid. Both are AI Research tools.

Is EndNote or Paperpile better?

It depends on your needs. EndNote excels at Industry standard, while Paperpile is known for Best Google Docs integration. Compare their features above to decide which fits your workflow.

EndNote vs Paperpile

AI Research tools comparison · Updated 2026

Choosing between EndNote and Paperpile? Both are popular AI Research tools. EndNote starts at From $137/mo and focuses on Reference management. Paperpile starts at From $2.99/mo and specializes in Google Docs citation plugin. Here's a detailed side-by-side comparison to help you decide.

At a Glance

	EndNote	Paperpile
Category	AI Research	AI Research
Pricing	paid	paid
Starting Price	From $137/mo	From $2.99/mo
Best For	reference-manager, citations, professional	reference-manager, citations, google-workspace
Features	6 listed	6 listed

EndNote

Professional reference manager by Clarivate with Web of Science and Word integration.

AI Research paid

Visit EndNote → Alternatives

Paperpile

Modern reference manager with deep Google Workspace and Google Docs integration.

AI Research paid

Visit Paperpile → Alternatives

Feature Comparison

EndNote	Paperpile
✓ Reference management	✓ Google Docs citation plugin
✓ PDF management	✓ PDF management
✓ Web of Science integration	✓ Smart search
✓ Manuscript matching	✓ Browser extension
✓ Bibliography formatting	✓ iOS/Android apps
✓ Team sharing	✓ Shared folders

Pricing Comparison

EndNote

paid

Starting at $137/mo

Desktop license at $274.95 one-time (students $136.95). EndNote Online included with Web of Science subscriptions.

Paperpile

paid

Starting at $2.99/mo

$2.99/month (academic) or $9.99/month (regular). 30-day free trial.

Pros & Cons

EndNote

Pros

+ Industry standard
+ Deep Web of Science integration
+ Powerful formatting options
+ Institutional support

Cons

− Expensive
− Steep learning curve
− Dated interface
− No Linux support

Paperpile

Pros

+ Best Google Docs integration
+ Clean modern interface
+ Fast and lightweight
+ Affordable academic pricing

Cons

− No free tier
− Google-ecosystem dependent
− Limited Word integration compared to others

The Verdict

Both EndNote and Paperpile are strong AI Research tools. EndNote stands out for Industry standard, making it ideal if that's your priority. Paperpile excels at Best Google Docs integration, which may be more important for your workflow.