Paperpile Review 2026

Reference managersFrom about $4.15/mo (academic…Checked 2026-11-06

Web reference manager tightly integrated with Google Docs.

Best forStudents who write mainly in Google Docs
Price fromFrom about $4.15/mo (academic, billed yearly)
Free planNo
PlatformsChrome, Google Docs, Word, Google Drive

Key features

Google Docs citation plugin
PDF library in Drive
10,000+ citation styles
Shared folders
Automatic file naming

Pricing

PlanPriceNotes
Trial30-day free trialFull product trial
Academic (discounted)About $4.15/mo50% academic discount; billed yearly
RegularAbout $8.30/moBilled yearly

Prices checked on paperpile.com/pricing on 2026-11-06. Vendors change prices often — confirm before you buy.

Who should (and should not) use it

Good fit

  • Heavy Google Docs users
  • Collaborative lab groups on Google Workspace

Skip it if

  • Students who need a fully free manager (use Zotero)
  • LaTeX-only workflows (consider JabRef)

Stores your sources as you research and builds the bibliography for you.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Google Docs citation plugin
  • PDF library in Drive
  • 10,000+ citation styles
  • Shared folders
  • Automatic file naming

Cons

  • Paid subscription after any trial
  • best suited to the Google ecosystem

How to use Paperpile for a typical student task

  1. Start the trial from paperpile.com
  2. Install the Chrome extension
  3. Save PDFs and web sources into Paperpile
  4. Cite inside Google Docs with the Paperpile plugin
  5. Generate the bibliography and check formatting

Privacy and data notes

Paperpile stores your library in their cloud/Google Drive integration. Review paperpile.com privacy policy before uploading sensitive drafts.

Alternatives to Paperpile

ZoteroStudents writing anything with more than a handful of sourcesFree plan + paidMendeleyScience and medicine students who read many PDFsNot verified: check the vendorEndNoteResearchers whose institution provides a licenceNot verified: check the vendorJabRefLaTeX and BibTeX usersFree

Compare all reference managers

Frequently asked questions

Is Paperpile free?

There is a 30-day trial. After that it is a paid yearly subscription; students can get an academic discount.

Can I pay monthly?

No. Plans are billed annually per their pricing FAQ.

Is Paperpile good for students?

Paperpile is best for: Students who write mainly in Google Docs. Read the “Who should and should not use it” section before you rely on it for assessed work.

Where should I confirm Paperpile pricing?

On the vendor site. Our figures are dated 2026-11-06 and may be outdated.

Independent profile. We are not paid for this listing. The Visit button uses rel="nofollow noopener". Facts were last checked 2026-11-06. Maker of Paperpile? Send a correction or request an express review.