Paperpile vs Scribbr:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Scribbr had more branded searches than Paperpile among citation and reference tools worldwide. Scribbr had about 550,000 branded searches, while Paperpile had 22,200. Scribbr made up 21.9% of all citation and reference tool searches we track, and Paperpile accounted for 0.88%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about citation and reference tools, Paperpile appeared in two of the five answers and Scribbr in one. Paperpile was mentioned before Scribbr in two out of three answers that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Scribbr, about 25 searches for every 1 for Paperpile
Who does AI mention more?
Paperpile, mentioned in 2 of 5 answers, Scribbr in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
Paperpile, named ahead of Scribbr in 2 of 3 answers
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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. Scribbr was mentioned in one out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Paperpile was listed before Scribbr in two out of three answers that named either.
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.
Is Paperpile or Scribbr more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Paperpile and Scribbr by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven citation and reference tools we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Scribbr, 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% |
How has the Paperpile and Scribbr comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Scribbr was ahead of Paperpile in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Paperpile’s share of searches among citation and reference tools worldwide moved from 0.73% to 0.88%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 27.1K to 22.2K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Scribbr’s share of searches among citation and reference tools worldwide moved from 27% to 21.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1M to 550K.
How did search popularity change for citation and reference tools worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Scribbr lost share of searches among citation and reference tools worldwide, from 24.1% to 21.9%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Paperpile worldwide fell 18.1% over 12 measured months, from 27.1K to 22.2K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Paperpile’s and Scribbr’s 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.
Other head-to-heads among citation and reference tools
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