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EndNote is built for managing references and citations; the six options here focus instead on writing, notes, knowledge bases and workflow documents. That makes them possible complements or partial replacements, not proven substitutes for an EndNote library. The published EndNote summary flags €310 upfront, while its listing says from $140; we can’t reconcile those figures from the published information. Compare your actual quote, and verify citation, export and library requirements before moving a working research setup.
01Why people leave EndNote
Clunky workflows
A Reddit commenter describing EndNote X6 called it old-fashioned and cited 20+ clicks to add and cite a paper, plus crowded toolbar menus. That is one user’s account, not a review of the current version.
Upfront cost needs checking
The published EndNote summary flags €310 upfront, while its listing says from $140. We can’t reconcile those figures from the available pricing detail; confirm your quote before comparing.
Library moves take effort
A commenter said moving a vast library to Zotero took a few days, though export and import worked. That is a single report; check your own library’s migration path before switching.
02The alternatives, ranked by fit
- LaTeX research writing
OverleafOverleafIf EndNote sits alongside a manuscript workflow, Overleaf is the most focused option here when the writing itself is in LaTeX. Its listing targets researchers co-writing LaTeX documents, students using shared article templates, and teams needing browser-based editing. It starts at $8.25 and has a free plan. Treat it as a writing alternative, not a documented replacement for reference-library management.
Trade-off: The listing does not specify citation-library migration or reference-management features.
7.5/10from
$8.25/mofree plan - Markup-based writing
TypstTypstTypst may suit technical writers who want markup-based documents with a live preview, or teams that need document collaboration. The listing starts at $7.99 and includes a free plan. It is a document tool, not a stated reference manager, so confirm whether its packages and your submission requirements fit before shifting research writing out of EndNote.
Trade-off: Check package and submission requirements; citation-library support is not specified.
8.0/10from
$7.99/mofree plan - Shared research notes
NotionNotionNotion is a candidate if your reason for leaving is scattered team notes and project information, rather than citation management itself. Its listing describes flexible shared workspaces and AI-assisted workflows, with a free plan and pricing from $9.50. It could organize research work around a manuscript, but the published details do not establish citation-style or library features.
Trade-off: Its flexibility can create extra work, and reference management is not listed.
7.0/10from
€9.50/mofree plan - Team knowledge base
SlabSlabSlab fits teams that want a central company knowledge base, including smaller groups that want to test a free plan. The listing starts at $6.67 and describes integrations with tools a team already uses. That may help document research processes, but it is not presented as a citation manager; check plan limits and annual commitment before switching.
Trade-off: Not a listed citation manager; confirm plan limits and annual commitment.
7.0/10from
$6.67/mofree plan - Salesforce documents
QuipQuipQuip is a better fit when research or project documents need to live inside a Salesforce setup. Its listing describes documents, sheets and chat, along with process templates, and starts at $10. This could replace some team-document work around EndNote, but the published details do not say it handles reference libraries or citation styles.
Trade-off: The listing positions it for Salesforce teams, not reference management.
6.3/10from
$10/mo - Workflow documentation
ScribeScribeScribe is worth considering if the work you want to move is documenting repeatable research or team processes. Its listing covers how-to guides for solo consultants and shared guides in existing systems, with a free plan and pricing from $13. It could document a workflow around a reference tool, but it is not described as a replacement for one.
Trade-off: Price the seat minimum before switching; citation features are not listed.
7.4/10from
$13/mofree plan
03Side by side
| Tool | Score | From | Free plan | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 EndNote EndNote (current) | 6.0 | €140/mo | No | Researchers managing large reference libraries |
| Overleaf Overleaf | 7.5 | $8.25/mo | Yes | Researchers co-writing LaTeX documents |
| Typst Typst | 8.0 | $7.99/mo | Yes | LaTeX switchers seeking live preview |
| Notion Notion | 7.0 | €9.50/mo | Yes | Teams consolidating notes and project information |
| Slab Slab | 7.0 | $6.67/mo | Yes | Teams centralizing company knowledge |
| Quip Quip | 6.3 | $10/mo | No | Salesforce teams embedding live documents |
| Scribe Scribe | 7.4 | $13/mo | Yes | Teams documenting repeatable workflows |
Questions people ask
Which EndNote alternative is closest to a reference manager?
None of the six options covered here is described as a reference manager. Overleaf and Typst focus on writing; Notion and Slab focus on shared workspaces or knowledge; Quip and Scribe focus on documents and guides. If citation-library management is essential, verify that requirement before choosing any of them.
Can I move my EndNote library into these tools?
The published information does not specify EndNote-library import, citation export or metadata migration for these six products. We can’t confirm that your references, attachments or citation links will transfer. Test with a copy of your library and check the relevant product documentation before retiring your EndNote setup.
Which option costs the least?
Among the listed starting prices, Slab is $6.67, Typst $7.99, Overleaf $8.25, Notion $9.50, Quip $10 and Scribe $13; Slab, Typst, Overleaf, Notion and Scribe list free plans. The published details don’t establish comparable billing units or total costs, so treat these as starting prices, not a like-for-like quote.