Scribbr vs Zotero:Which is more popular in New Zealand?
In October 2026, Scribbr had more branded searches than Zotero among citation and reference tools in New Zealand. Scribbr had about 3,180 branded searches, while Zotero had 2,780. Scribbr made up 22.2% of all citation and reference tool searches we track, and Zotero accounted for 19.4%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about citation and reference tools, Zotero appeared in all five answers and Scribbr in one. Zotero was mentioned before Scribbr in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Scribbr, about 14% more searches than Zotero
Who does AI mention more?
Zotero, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Zotero, named ahead of Scribbr in every answer
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Top citation and reference tools in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Zotero appeared in all five answers. 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. Zotero was listed before Scribbr in every answer.
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
Mendeley5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
MyBib2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- Scribbr1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Citation Machine0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about citation and reference tools
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which citation and reference tool should I use in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best citation and reference tools in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best citation and reference tool in New Zealand for referencing assignments?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best citation tool”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“referencing software”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 20, 2026.
Is Scribbr or Zotero more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Scribbr and Zotero by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all six citation and reference tools we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Scribbr, Zotero. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | MyBib | Scribbr | Zotero | Citation Machine | EndNote | Mendeley |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | 23.5% | 29.4% | 20.3% | 10.6% | 7.6% | 8.7% |
| Dec 2025 | 14.6% | 24.2% | 25.7% | 10% | 12% | 13.5% |
| Jan 2026 | 12.9% | 18.8% | 32% | 11.6% | 13.2% | 11.6% |
| Feb 2026 | 16.8% | 21.7% | 27.8% | 10.9% | 14.4% | 8.4% |
| Mar 2026 | 26% | 20.9% | 21.6% | 14.8% | 11.1% | 5.6% |
| Apr 2026 | 30.7% | 22.1% | 18.7% | 15% | 8.1% | 5.4% |
| May 2026 | 32.6% | 22.8% | 15.4% | 18.1% | 6.7% | 4.4% |
| Jun 2026 | 31.1% | 27.5% | 12.9% | 18.8% | 4.8% | 4.9% |
| Jul 2026 | 27.8% | 18% | 23% | 14% | 11.7% | 5.5% |
| Aug 2026 | 38.9% | 18.4% | 16.2% | 14.4% | 7.8% | 4.3% |
| Sep 2026 | 36.2% | 19.1% | 17% | 13.9% | 8.8% | 4.9% |
| Oct 2026 | 31.7% | 22.2% | 19.4% | 13.9% | 7.3% | 5.6% |
How has branded search for Scribbr and Zotero changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 4 times in the 12 months ending October 2026: Zotero took it in December 2025, Scribbr took it in April 2026, Zotero took it in July 2026, Scribbr took it in August 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Scribbr’s share of searches among citation and reference tools in New Zealand moved from 29.4% to 22.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 3.1K to 3.2K.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Zotero’s share of searches among citation and reference tools in New Zealand moved from 20.3% to 19.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 2.2K to 2.8K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand citation and reference tools in October 2026?
2 changes
In October 2026, Scribbr gained share of searches among citation and reference tools in New Zealand, from 19.1% to 22.2%.
In October 2026, Zotero gained share of searches among citation and reference tools in New Zealand, from 17% to 19.4%.
How are Scribbr’s and Zotero’s branded searches counted?
14 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Scribbr’s and Zotero’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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