JabRef vs RefWorks:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, RefWorks had more branded searches than JabRef among reference management software worldwide. RefWorks had about 34,200 branded searches, while JabRef had 5,400. RefWorks made up 1.9% of all reference management software searches we track, and JabRef accounted for 0.3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about reference management software, JabRef appeared in three of the five answers and RefWorks in none.
Who do people search for more?
RefWorks, about 6 searches for every 1 for JabRef
Who does AI mention more?
JabRef, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, RefWorks in 0
Who does AI recommend more?
JabRef, the only one of the two named
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Top reference management software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, JabRef was mentioned in three out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. RefWorks did not appear in any of the five answers.
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.
Zotero5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
EndNote5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Paperpile5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Mendeley4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- JabRef3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
BibDesk1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers- RefWorks0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about reference management software
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which reference management tool should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best reference management tools?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best reference management tool for research citations?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“reference management tools”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best reference manager”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is JabRef or RefWorks more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for JabRef and RefWorks by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven reference management software we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for RefWorks, JabRef. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Zotero | Mendeley | EndNote | RefWorks | Paperpile | JabRef | BibDesk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 45.9% | 40.4% | 9.2% | 2.8% | 1.2% | 0.37% | 0.05% |
| Nov 2025 | 42.3% | 44.7% | 8.5% | 2.6% | 1.4% | 0.41% | 0.05% |
| Dec 2025 | 40.8% | 44.2% | 10% | 2.5% | 2% | 0.48% | 0.06% |
| Jan 2026 | 49% | 36.2% | 9.8% | 2.5% | 2% | 0.47% | 0.07% |
| Feb 2026 | 49% | 36.1% | 9.8% | 3% | 1.6% | 0.47% | 0.06% |
| Mar 2026 | 48.3% | 35% | 11.7% | 3% | 1.6% | 0.38% | 0.06% |
| Apr 2026 | 46% | 40.7% | 9.2% | 2.3% | 1.5% | 0.36% | 0.05% |
| May 2026 | 46% | 40.6% | 9.2% | 2.3% | 1.5% | 0.36% | 0.05% |
| Jun 2026 | 45.9% | 41.2% | 9.1% | 1.5% | 1.8% | 0.44% | 0.06% |
| Jul 2026 | 51% | 37.2% | 8.3% | 1.4% | 1.7% | 0.4% | 0.05% |
| Aug 2026 | 46.3% | 41.4% | 9.1% | 1.3% | 1.5% | 0.36% | 0.05% |
| Sep 2026 | 47.3% | 41.5% | 7.7% | 1.9% | 1.3% | 0.3% | 0.05% |
How has the JabRef and RefWorks comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- RefWorks was ahead of JabRef in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, JabRef’s share of searches among reference management software worldwide moved from 0.37% to 0.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 8.1K to 5.4K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, RefWorks’ share of searches among reference management software worldwide moved from 2.8% to 1.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 62.2K to 34.1K.
How did search popularity change for reference management software worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, RefWorks overtook Paperpile to rank 4th among reference management software worldwide, with 1.9% of the searches.
Estimated monthly branded searches for JabRef worldwide fell 33.3% over 12 measured months, from 8.1K to 5.4K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
5 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using JabRef’s and RefWorks’ names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
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