How popular isPaperpile?
In September 2026, people searched for Paperpile by name about 22,500 times worldwide, a 17.9% decrease from the previous year. These searches made up 0.88% of all global citation and reference tool searches, placing Paperpile sixth out of seven tools. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about citation and reference tools, Paperpile appeared in two of the five answers and was the joint fourth most recommended of the seven.
Paperpile is the sixth most searched of 7 competitors and the joint fourth most recommended in AI answers.
MendeleyShare of searches 26.8%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
MyBibShare of searches 26.8%Mentioned in 2 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
ScribbrShare of searches 21.9%Mentioned in 1 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 7th
Citation MachineShare of searches 17.9%Mentioned in 1 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 6th
PaperpileShare of searches 0.88%Mentioned in 2 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
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Top citation and reference tools in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Paperpile was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Paperpile is the joint fourth most recommended of the seven.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Mendeley5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Zotero5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
EndNote4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- MyBib2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Paperpile2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Scribbr1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Citation Machine1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about citation and reference tools
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which citation and reference tool should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best citation and reference tools?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best citation and reference tool for a research paper?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“citation tools”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“reference management software”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 20, 2026.
Which citation and reference tools compete with Paperpile?
Share of searches by month for Mendeley, MyBib, Scribbr, Citation Machine, EndNote, Paperpile. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Mendeley | MyBib | Scribbr | Citation Machine | EndNote | Paperpile | Zotero |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 22.2% | 22.2% | 27% | 22.2% | 5.4% | 0.73% | 0.18% |
| Nov 2025 | 23.6% | 23.6% | 23.6% | 23.6% | 4.7% | 0.78% | 0.15% |
| Dec 2025 | 22.1% | 22.1% | 27% | 22.1% | 5.4% | 1.1% | 0.18% |
| Jan 2026 | 19.6% | 24% | 29.4% | 19.6% | 5.9% | 1.2% | 0.24% |
| Feb 2026 | 17.1% | 25.6% | 25.6% | 25.6% | 5.1% | 0.84% | 0.25% |
| Mar 2026 | 17.7% | 26.5% | 26.5% | 21.7% | 6.5% | 0.87% | 0.26% |
| Apr 2026 | 22.1% | 27.1% | 22.1% | 22.1% | 5.4% | 0.89% | 0.27% |
| May 2026 | 21.9% | 26.8% | 26.8% | 17.9% | 5.4% | 0.88% | 0.32% |
| Jun 2026 | 26.3% | 21.5% | 26.3% | 17.6% | 6.4% | 1.3% | 0.39% |
| Jul 2026 | 27.5% | 18.4% | 22.5% | 22.5% | 6.8% | 1.4% | 0.91% |
| Aug 2026 | 29.5% | 24.1% | 24.1% | 13.2% | 7.2% | 1.2% | 0.65% |
| Sep 2026 | 26.8% | 26.8% | 21.9% | 17.9% | 5.4% | 0.88% | 0.48% |
| Rank | Brand | Share of searches | Estimated monthly branded searches | vs prior month | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1, held 1st | 26.8% | 673K | +49.6% | -2.8 points | |
| 2, held 2nd | 26.8% | 673K | +82.9% | +2.6 points | |
| 3, held 3rd | 21.9% | 550K | +49.5% | -2.3 points | |
| 4, held 4th | 17.9% | 450K | +123.9% | +4.7 points | |
| 5, held 5th | 5.4% | 135K | +22.7% | -1.8 points | |
| 6, held 6th | 0.88% | 22.2K | +22.7% | -0.3 points | |
| 7, held 7th | 0.48% | 12.1K | +22.2% | -0.2 points |
1.
Mendeley26.8%
Held 1st. 673K estimated branded searches, +49.6% vs prior month. Share -2.8 points.
2.
MyBib26.8%
Held 2nd. 673K estimated branded searches, +82.9% vs prior month. Share +2.6 points.
3.
Scribbr21.9%
Held 3rd. 550K estimated branded searches, +49.5% vs prior month. Share -2.3 points.
17.9%
Held 4th. 450K estimated branded searches, +123.9% vs prior month. Share +4.7 points.
5.
EndNote5.4%
Held 5th. 135K estimated branded searches, +22.7% vs prior month. Share -1.8 points.
0.88%
Held 6th. 22.2K estimated branded searches, +22.7% vs prior month. Share -0.3 points.
7.
Zotero0.48%
Held 7th. 12.1K estimated branded searches, +22.2% vs prior month. Share -0.2 points.
Compare popularity between Paperpile and its closest rivals
Every comparison with Paperpile
9 comparisons
How has branded search demand for Paperpile changed worldwide over the last 12 months?
2 findings
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for Paperpile worldwide fell from 27.4K to 22.5K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Paperpile’s share of searches among citation and reference tools worldwide held steady, from 0.73% to 0.88%.
How did search popularity change for citation and reference tools worldwide in September 2026?
6 changes
In September 2026, Citation Machine gained share of searches among citation and reference tools worldwide, from 13.2% to 17.9%.
In September 2026, MyBib gained share of searches among citation and reference tools worldwide, from 24.1% to 26.8%.
In September 2026, Mendeley lost share of searches among citation and reference tools worldwide, from 29.5% to 26.8%.
In September 2026, Scribbr lost share of searches among citation and reference tools worldwide, from 24.1% to 21.9%.
In September 2026, EndNote lost share of searches among citation and reference tools worldwide, from 7.2% to 5.4%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Zotero worldwide rose 83.3% over 12 measured months, from 6.6K to 12.1K in September 2026.
How are Paperpile’s branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Paperpile’s name. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brand is growing, holding steady, or fading.
- paperpile
- paperpile app
- paperpile reference manager
Do you work for Paperpile? To request corrections or removal please contact us via our support page and we will be happy to assist.
Where does Paperpile compete?
| Competitor set | Rank | Share of searches | Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citation and reference tools | 6th of 7 | 0.88% | Shown above |
| Reference management software | 5th of 7 | 1.3% | Show ranking |
Is Paperpile your brand?
Put your own campaigns, spend and outcomes next to this demand line, so you can see which of your marketing lined up with the movements above.