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Citations vs Bookends: catalog facts
Citations	Bookends
Free Free and open source under the GPL-3.0 or later.	Paid Commercial software sold through the developer's site.
Linux	macOS, iOS
Works directly with plain BibTeX files Native GNOME interface	Imports from many academic databases Citation tools for Word, Mellel and Nisus Writer Pro
Linux only Limited to the BibTeX format	Mac and iOS only Paid, unlike Zotero
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Closed source
License: GPL-3.0-or-later	License not stated
No account needed	Not stated if an account is needed
Works offline	Not stated if it works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Checked October 1, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked October 2, 2026

Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.