1. Home
  2. Topics
  3. Reference Manager

Best Reference Manager Apps

210+ iOS apps curated and reviewed

4.5 avg rating
19 free apps
Updated June 2026

Looking for free reference manager apps? 19 of our 210+ tracked titles are free to download — no subscription, no trial. The rest are premium picks worth paying for.

Compare top Reference Manager Apps (June 2026)

#AppPriceRatingAdsIn-App PurchasesUpdated
1ZoteroZoteroFree4.6★ (420)NoNoJul 2026
2ReciMe: Recipes & Meal PlannerReciMe: Recipes & Meal PlannerFree4.8★ (250K)YesYesJul 2026
3References On TapReferences On TapFree4.7★ (295)NoYesJul 2026
4CLZ Books - library organizerCLZ Books - library organizerFree4.8★ (2.4K)YesYesJul 2026
5BookendsBookendsFree was $10.994.7★ (392)NoYesJul 2026
6BookBuddy: Book TrackerBookBuddy: Book TrackerFree4.8★ (14K)NoYesJul 2026
7Amerigo File ManagerAmerigo File ManagerFree4.6★ (64K)YesYesJul 2026
8Lipid ManagerLipid ManagerFree5.0★ (3)NoNoJun 2026

Top Picks for Reference Manager

Zotero#1

Zotero by Corporation for Digital Scholarship

Your research assistant
Editor's Choice
📊 Productivity
4.6😊(420 ratings)
Free
Zotero screenshot 1
Zotero screenshot 2

This research tool helps you collect, organize, annotate, cite, and share your academic and professional work. Save articles, books, and webpages, add notes and highlights, and generate bibliographies in thousands of styles. Collaborate with others and sync your library across devices.

What We Love

  • 👍 Simple and powerful
  • 🚀 Convenient and useful
  • 🚀 Seamless syncing across devices
  • 🚀 Excellent reference management

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 Crashes frequently
  • 🐛 Syncing issues with WebDAV
  • 🐛 Metadata not automatically extracted from PDFs
ReciMe: Recipes & Meal Planner#2

ReciMe: Recipes & Meal Planner by ReciMe Pty Ltd

Cook Book & Grocery Lists
Strong Contender
🍔 Food & Drink
4.8😐(250K ratings)
FreeAdsIn-App Purchases
#1in Food & Drink
ReciMe: Recipes & Meal Planner screenshot 1
ReciMe: Recipes & Meal Planner screenshot 2
ReciMe: Recipes & Meal Planner screenshot 3
ReciMe: Recipes & Meal Planner screenshot 4
ReciMe: Recipes & Meal Planner screenshot 5
ReciMe: Recipes & Meal Planner screenshot 6

Organize all your favorite recipes from social media and other apps in one place. Create smart grocery lists, plan your weekly meals, and track nutritional information. This app helps you cook better, from saving recipes to ordering ingredients.

What We Love

  • 🚀 Easy to import recipes
  • 📚 Helpful for organizing recipes
  • 🤝 Good for sharing recipes with friends
  • 🍲 Useful for meal planning and grocery lists

Room to Improve

  • 💰 Expensive subscription model
  • 🐛 Bugs and glitches with importing recipes
  • 🔍 Limited free version with restrictions
References On Tap#3

References On Tap by ReferencesOnTap

Reference management on the go
Worth Considering
📊 Productivity
4.7(295 ratings)
FreeIn-App Purchases
References On Tap screenshot 1
References On Tap screenshot 2
References On Tap screenshot 3
References On Tap screenshot 4
References On Tap screenshot 5
References On Tap screenshot 6

This app helps you find, display, and import reference information and PDFs from various academic databases. Organize your references into groups, perform advanced searches, and sync your library across devices. It offers both a one-time purchase for core features and a subscription for cloud syncing.

More Reference Manager apps to explore

4
CLZ Books - library organizer
CLZ Books - library organizer
CLZ Books - library organizer
Just scan ISBN barcodes
Free

Easily catalog your book collection by scanning ISBN barcodes or searching by author and title. Automatically retrieve book details, values, and cover art. Organize your library with customizable views, multiple collections, and cloud syncing.

Scan ISBN barcodes for automatic data retrievalSearch by author and titleAutomatic book details, values, and cover art
📚 Books
(2.4K)
subscription
5
Bookends
Bookends
Bookends
Reference management on the go
Free
$10.99 | 100% OFF

Manage your research references and PDFs on your mobile device. Search online databases, import metadata, annotate PDFs, and organize your library. Offers basic functionality for free with optional one-time purchase and yearly subscription for advanced features like cloud sync and unlimited imports.

Search online reference databasesImport metadata and PDFsPDF annotation and markup
📊 Productivity
(392)
free with in-app purchases
6
BookBuddy: Book Tracker
BookBuddy: Book Tracker
BookBuddy: Book Tracker
Bookshelf & reading list
Free

Manage your entire book collection digitally, track reading progress, and organize your library. Easily add books by scanning, searching, or manual entry. Keep tabs on borrowed and lent items, and gain insights into your reading habits.

Scan barcodes to add booksOrganize into custom categoriesTrack borrowed and lent books
📚 Books
(14K)
free with in-app purchases
7
Amerigo File Manager
Amerigo File Manager
Amerigo File Manager
The go-to Cloud File Manager
Free

This app acts as a central hub for managing files across multiple cloud storage services and local storage. It offers advanced search, PDF annotation, and file compression, streamlining organization and access to your data.

Manage local and cloud filesIntegrates with Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, iCloudVirtual folders for project grouping
🔧 Utilities
(64K)
free with in-app purchases
8
Lipid Manager
Lipid Manager
Lipid Manager
by American College of Cardiology
Free

This app offers three clinical decision support tools for healthcare professionals to manage patient triglycerides and LDL-C. It assists in determining lipid-lowering therapies, evaluating statin intolerance, and providing recommendations for hypertriglyceridemia management.

LDL-C Lowering Therapy toolStatin Intolerance evaluationHypertriglyceridemia management recommendations
🏥 Medical
(3)
free
9
iCollect Movies: DVD Tracker
iCollect Movies: DVD Tracker
iCollect Movies: DVD Tracker
Catalog list of Blu-ray 4K VHS
Free

Catalog and manage your entire movie collection, from physical media like Blu-ray and DVD to digital files. Features barcode scanning, automatic value estimates, cloud backup, and cross-device syncing. Organize, track, and share your cinematic library with ease.

Manage 4K, Blu-ray, DVD, VHS, and digital moviesBarcode scanning and database searchAutomatic estimated values
🔍 Reference
(7.8K)
free with in-app purchases
10
BookBuddy Pro: Book Tracker
BookBuddy Pro: Book Tracker
BookBuddy Pro: Book Tracker
Bookshelf & reading list
$9.99

Manage your entire book collection digitally. Easily add books by scanning, searching, or manual entry. Organize your library, track borrowed and lent items, and gain insights into your reading habits. Share your collection online with others.

Scan barcodes to add booksOrganize books into categoriesTrack borrowed and lent books
📚 Books
(5.8K)
freemium
11
File Manager & Documents
File Manager & Documents
File Manager & Documents
Files &Folder With Browser App
Free

Organize and manage your downloaded files and documents conveniently on your iPhone or iPad. Create folders, store files in the cloud to save space, and use the built-in browser for direct downloads. Sort files by various criteria for easy access.

Manage downloadsCreate foldersCloud storage
🔧 Utilities
(4.7K)
subscription
12
Raindrop.io
Raindrop.io
Raindrop.io
All in One Bookmark Manager
Free

Save and organize web content like articles, photos, and videos from any app. Create custom collections with unique icons and visuals for easy retrieval. Share your curated content with others or collaborate privately.

Clip articles, photos, and videosOrganize bookmarks into collectionsTag and customize collections
📊 Productivity
(399)
free with in-app purchases
13
URL Manager Pro
URL Manager Pro
URL Manager Pro
Professional bookmark manager
Free

This app helps you organize and manage your web bookmarks efficiently. It allows you to save URLs from any browser or app, add notes, and categorize them into folders. You can also share, export, and automate bookmark management with support for various browsers and Apple Shortcuts.

Bookmark managementAdd notes to bookmarksCreate and manage folders
🔍 Reference
(7)
free with in-app purchases
14
KeePass Touch
KeePass Touch
KeePass Touch
The Password Manager
Free

Securely store and manage all your passwords in one place. Access them from any device with cross-platform compatibility. Protect your sensitive information with strong encryption and biometric unlock options.

Cross-platform password managementSecure password storageSync with cloud services (Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive)
📊 Productivity
(341)
free with in-app purchases
15
hobbyDB Collection Management
hobbyDB Collection Management
hobbyDB Collection Management
Barcode UPC Pop Vinyl Prices
Free

Manage your entire collection, from toys to art, with this comprehensive tool. Research items, track their value, create a digital museum, and buy, sell, or trade with other collectors. Includes a barcode scanner for quick in-store research and access to a blog with collectible news.

Research collectiblesTrack collection valueCreate online museum (Showcase)
🎬 Entertainment
(8.3K)
free with in-app purchases
16
Essayist: Academic Writing App
Essayist: Academic Writing App
Essayist: Academic Writing App
APA, MLA, Chicago & More
Free

This app simplifies academic writing by automatically formatting essays in various styles like APA, MLA, and Chicago. It includes a universal reference manager, citation tools, and equation support, allowing for distraction-free writing and easy export to PDF or Word.

Automatic essay formattingUniversal reference managerIn-text citation and footnote insertion
📊 Productivity
(378)
subscription
17
NYT Cooking: Quick Tasty Meals
NYT Cooking: Quick Tasty Meals
NYT Cooking: Quick Tasty Meals
Easy recipes and kitchen tips
Free

Discover thousands of tested recipes, from quick weeknight dinners to impressive holiday dishes. Find inspiration with editor-curated collections and helpful cooking videos. Organize your favorites, plan meals, and create grocery lists.

Thousands of tested recipesEditor-curated collectionsHelpful cooking videos
🍔 Food & Drink
(540K)
subscription
18
Timbres Identifiant De Timbre
Timbres Identifiant De Timbre
Timbres Identifiant De Timbre
Stamp Identifier Stamp Value
Free

Instantly identify and appraise your stamps using advanced image recognition. Get detailed information on origin, issue date, denomination, and market value to enhance your collecting experience. Ideal for both new and experienced philatelists.

Image recognition stamp identificationStamp appraisal and market valueDetailed stamp information (origin, date, denomination)
📚 Education
(3.2K)
free with in-app purchases
19
Hadith حديث‎ - Sahih Bukhari
Hadith حديث‎ - Sahih Bukhari
Hadith حديث‎ - Sahih Bukhari
صحيح البخاري، صحيح المسلم
Free

Access a comprehensive collection of major hadith books in Arabic, including Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim. Translations for Sahih Bukhari are available in English and Urdu.

Six major hadith booksSahih BukhariSahih Muslim
🔍 Reference
(3.5K)
free with in-app purchases
20
EndNote
EndNote
EndNote
by Clarivate Analytics (US) LLC
Free

Manage your research from anywhere with this popular tool. Organize, search, and share academic papers and bibliographies seamlessly across devices. Sync your library and annotate PDFs on the go.

Sync research library across devicesSearch academic databasesAnnotate PDFs
📊 Productivity
(162)
free with in-app purchases

FAQ about Reference Manager

What are the best reference manager apps for iPhone?
Zotero tops our reference manager apps ranking as of June 2026, with a 4.6-star average from 420 App Store ratings, and it's free to download.
Yes — 19 of the top reference manager apps we rank are free to download, including Zotero and ReciMe: Recipes & Meal Planner.
Zotero has no ads and has no in-app purchases, according to its App Store listing as of June 2026.
We track 210+ reference manager apps on the iOS App Store as of June 2026, ranked by rating, recency, and analysis of real user reviews.
Zotero is a free research tool designed to help you collect, organize, annotate, cite, and share your research materials. It allows you to save articles, books, webpages, and more, then manage them efficiently for your projects.
You can collect research by saving journal articles, newspaper articles, books, and webpages directly through the Share button in Safari and other apps. The app can also automatically download PDFs and allows you to add physical items by scanning barcodes or DOIs with your device's camera.