What is the difference between Paperpile and Mendeley?

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

Is Paperpile or Mendeley better?

It depends on your needs. Paperpile excels at Best Google Docs integration, while Mendeley is known for Generous free storage. Compare their features above to decide which fits your workflow.

Paperpile vs Mendeley

AI Research tools comparison · Updated 2026

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

At a Glance

	Paperpile	Mendeley
Category	AI Research	AI Research
Pricing	paid	freemium
Starting Price	From $2.99/mo	Freemium
Best For	reference-manager, citations, google-workspace	reference-manager, citations, social-network
Features	6 listed	6 listed

Paperpile

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

AI Research paid

Visit Paperpile → Alternatives

Mendeley

Elsevier reference manager with social networking, PDF management, and collaboration.

AI Research freemium

Visit Mendeley → Alternatives

Feature Comparison

Paperpile	Mendeley
✓ Google Docs citation plugin	✓ Reference management
✓ PDF management	✓ PDF annotation
✓ Smart search	✓ Academic social network
✓ Browser extension	✓ Group collaboration
✓ iOS/Android apps	✓ Citation plugin for Word
✓ Shared folders	✓ Research feed

Pricing Comparison

Paperpile

paid

Starting at $2.99/mo

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

Mendeley

freemium

Free with 2GB storage. Institutional plans available through Elsevier.

Pros & Cons

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

Mendeley

Pros

+ Generous free storage
+ Social features for networking
+ Good PDF annotation
+ Institutional access common

Cons

− Owned by Elsevier (privacy concerns)
− Desktop app discontinued for web
− Data lock-in concerns
− Slower development recently

The Verdict

Both Paperpile and Mendeley are strong AI Research tools. Paperpile stands out for Best Google Docs integration, making it ideal if that's your priority. Mendeley excels at Generous free storage, which may be more important for your workflow. Price-wise, Paperpile is paid while Mendeley is freemium, so budget may also factor in.