EndNote & Zotero Reference Saver – ERS

The best EndNote browser extension alternative and Zotero RIS importer after EndNote discontinued their own tool. Capture accurate RIS references instantly from academic articles, journals, PubMed, news sites and more – one-click seamless import directly to EndNote, Zotero or Mendeley. Free version available – upgrade to Pro for full abstracts, normalized metadata and maximum import quality.

No login • No data stored • Privacy-focused • Perfect EndNote, Zotero & Mendeley companion • Pro license works on up to 3 browsers/computers (Chrome + Edge)

Powerful Features for EndNote & Zotero Users

One-Click Capture & Import to EndNote / Zotero

Download RIS file instantly – click it in your browser to open directly in EndNote or Zotero. No copy-paste hassle.

Multiple Modes

Strict (fast & basic), Enhanced (better local metadata), Pro (AI-boosted, full abstracts & server-side normalization).

Wide Site Support

Academic sites, journals, PubMed/Medline, news pages (NRK, NHI), and thousands more – automatic detection.

Privacy First

No login required. No personal data stored or sold. Processes locally (Free) or securely via server (Pro).

Choose Your Mode: Strict, Enhanced, or Pro

All modes produce valid RIS files ready for EndNote and Zotero, but quality varies dramatically. Free modes are great for quick captures, while Pro delivers publication-ready, normalized references with maximum reliability.

Strict (Free)

  • Title only
  • Minimal, deterministic output
  • Valid RIS, but very limited
  • Useful for quick capture, but not sufficient for serious academic work

Enhanced (Free)

  • Journal, year, volume, pages
  • DOI and source URL
  • Abstract from publisher page (may be truncated)
  • Extracted locally from publisher metadata – quality depends on page content
  • Full publisher metadata extraction (cleaner abstracts, improved authors & pages – no backend used)

Pro ($15 One-Time)

  • Everything from Enhanced
  • Full, untruncated abstract
  • Normalized, publication-ready metadata
  • Highest reliability across sources
  • AI-boosted scraping for more metadata (e.g., from DOI & other sources)
  • Server-side processing: aggregation, external databases, sorting, de-duplication, normalization, reformatting
  • 5-6 second wait for ultimate accuracy – perfect imports to EndNote/Zotero

Why Researchers Love ERS – Key Benefits for EndNote & Zotero

Saves Massive Time

Stop wasting hours typing or copying references manually – capture them in seconds and focus on your research.

Zero Spelling or Formatting Errors

Automatic metadata extraction means perfect author names, titles, DOIs, and citations every time – no typos when importing to EndNote or Zotero.

Detects Original Source

Reveals if the article you're reading is republished, syndicated, or originally from another journal/site – helps verify credibility and avoid duplicates in your EndNote/Zotero library.

Seamless Integration

Download RIS files that import flawlessly into EndNote, Zotero, Mendeley – no cleanup needed.

How It Works in 4 Simple Steps

1. Install Free

Add ERS to Chrome or Edge in seconds – your new EndNote/Zotero companion.

2. Visit Any Article

Open a research paper, journal, or news page.

3. Click the ERS Icon

Choose mode – popup detects metadata automatically.

4. Download & Import to EndNote, Zotero or Mendeley

Get your RIS file and import instantly – no extra steps needed.

Side-by-Side Comparison: Strict vs Enhanced vs Pro

Real example from the same article page. See exactly what each mode delivers in the RIS output – ready for EndNote and Zotero.

Field / Feature Strict (Free)
🔹 Minimal
Enhanced (Free)
🔹 Local metadata
Pro ($15)
🔹 Maximum quality
Comment
Title Same in all modes
Journal (T2) Only from Enhanced and above
Year (PY) Only from Enhanced and above
Volume (VL) Only from Enhanced and above
Start page / Article no (SP) Only from Enhanced and above
DOI (DO) Only from Enhanced and above
URL (UR) Only from Enhanced and above
Abstract (AB) ⚠️ partial / truncated ✅ full & complete Important difference – Pro gives full abstract without truncation
Normalization & quality assurance ✅ (server-side, AI-boosted) Pro value: more robust, cleaner import in EndNote/Zotero

Actual RIS Output Examples

Strict (Free)
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Physiology and Pathophysiology in Ultra-Marathon Running
ER  - 
Enhanced (Free)
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Physiology and Pathophysiology in Ultra-Marathon Running
T2  - Frontiers in Physiology
PY  - 2018
VL  - 9
SP  - 370095
AB  - In this overview, we summarize the findings of the literature with regards to physiology and pathophysiology of ultra-marathon running. The number of ultra-m...
DO  - 10.3389/fphys.2018.00634
UR  - https://www.frontiersin.org/...
ER  - 
Pro
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Physiology and Pathophysiology in Ultra-Marathon Running
T2  - Frontiers in Physiology
PY  - 2018
VL  - 9
SP  - 370095
AB  - In this overview, we summarize the findings of the literature ... Ultra-marathon running is associated with a variety of physiological and pathophysiological changes in the human body.
DO  - 10.3389/fphys.2018.00634
UR  - https://www.frontiersin.org/...
ER  - 

The example clearly shows why Pro delivers significantly better results for serious academic work – especially full abstracts and higher reliability when importing to EndNote or Zotero.

ERS popup in action – capturing reference from article for EndNote Zotero ERS Pro activation and enhanced features for EndNote Zotero

EndNote, Zotero & Mendeley at Norwegian Universities

Most Norwegian higher education institutions recommend or support both EndNote and Zotero for thesis writing and research. Many also mention Mendeley as an alternative. Here's an overview of the most common recommendations and official guides – and how ERS can help you with fast RIS import regardless of which tool you use.

University of Oslo (UiO)

UiO offers detailed guides and courses in both EndNote and Zotero through the University Library. Both tools are widely used across all faculties and actively supported in thesis writing. Mendeley is also popular among many students.

UiO's official EndNote guideUiO's official Zotero guide

University of Bergen (UiB)

UiB provides students and staff with EndNote licensing and has good guides for both EndNote and Zotero. EndNote is particularly common in medicine and health sciences. Mendeley is also supported.

UiB's EndNote guideUiB's Zotero guide

NTNU – Norwegian University of Science and Technology

NTNU primarily recommends Zotero for most students and has one of the best official Zotero guides in Norway. EndNote is also supported, especially in medicine and technology. Mendeley is a common alternative.

NTNU's official EndNote guideNTNU's official Zotero guide

OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University

OsloMet has guides and support for both EndNote and Zotero. The tools are particularly popular in health, social and educational fields. Mendeley is also used by many students.

OsloMet's EndNote guideOsloMet's Zotero guide (video)

Lovisenberg Diaconal University College (LDH)

In several master's programs, especially in clinical nursing, EndNote is often recommended or required. The library offers courses and guidance in both EndNote and Zotero. Mendeley is also supported.

LDH's EndNote course and guidanceLDH's Zotero course and guidance

Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL)

HVL has its own EndNote guide with Norwegian style and actively supports Zotero in thesis writing, especially in health and education. Mendeley is a common choice among students.

HVL's official EndNote guideHVL's official Zotero guide

Norwegian Academy of Music (NMH)

NMH offers Zotero courses and guidance through the library – a popular choice among music students writing theses. Mendeley is also supported.

NMH's reference management page with Zotero mention

BI Norwegian Business School

BI mentions both EndNote and Zotero in teaching materials, guidance PDFs and thesis writing for bachelor's and master's students. Mendeley is also a common tool here.

BI's official EndNote guideBI's official Zotero guide

EndNote, Zotero & Mendeley at International Universities

ERS is used worldwide, including at top universities that support EndNote, Zotero and Mendeley. Here are guides and recommendations from selected institutions – ERS works seamlessly with all these tools to capture and import references quickly.

University of Michigan (USA)

The University of Michigan Library provides guidance on choosing and using citation software including Zotero, Mendeley, and EndNote. The page explains how each tool works and helps users decide which best fits their research workflow.

University of Michigan Citation Management Guide

University of Minnesota (USA)

The University of Minnesota Libraries offer training and troubleshooting resources for both EndNote and Zotero, with additional help available for Mendeley and other managers. Workshops and support are provided for organizing references and using citation tools effectively.

University of Minnesota Citation Management Support

Purdue University (USA)

Purdue University Libraries support EndNote and Zotero and provide a comparison of these tools, explaining their features and offering links to tutorials and training materials, helping students and researchers manage their references.

Purdue University Citation Guide

University of Virginia (USA)

The University of Virginia Libraries recommend use of Zotero, EndNote, or Mendeley for researchers, describing that these are the most commonly used citation managers and offering guidance on selecting and using them in academic work.

University of Virginia Reference Managers Guide

University of Pittsburgh (USA)

The University of Pittsburgh Library System lists Mendeley, EndNote, and Zotero as supported citation tools with guides, training classes, and help resources for building bibliographies and managing references.

University of Pittsburgh Citation Tools

University College London (UK)

UCL Libraries support multiple reference managers including EndNote, Zotero, Mendeley, and RefWorks, providing detailed guides on how to use them for academic writing and bibliography creation.

UCL Reference Management Guide

University of Kent (UK)

The University of Kent’s student support pages explain reference management tools such as Mendeley and Zotero, describing how they help organize references and support citation and bibliography creation across different platforms.

University of Kent Reference Management Tools

University of Cincinnati (USA) – UC Libraries

UC Libraries offer a reference management overview that includes support for EndNote and Zotero, including comparison charts and practical guidance for students and researchers learning these tools.

University of Cincinnati Citation Management

Tel Aviv University (Israel)

Tel Aviv University Libraries list Zotero, Mendeley, and EndNote tools available to their community, with links to guides on how to use them for organizing references and generating citations.

Tel Aviv University Bibliographic Management Tools

University of California, San Francisco (USA)

UCSF provides a guide on reference management tools including Zotero and EndNote, outlining their uses for organizing citations and creating bibliographies — though licensing may vary by institution.

UCSF Reference Manager Guides

No matter which university or college you're at – ERS works seamlessly with EndNote, Zotero and Mendeley. Capture references fast and import them directly without hassle.

Try ERS Free Now

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ERS Reference Saver?

ERS is a browser extension that instantly captures bibliographic references in RIS format from almost any academic or news article page. It saves time and ensures accuracy when building your EndNote, Zotero or Mendeley library.

Is the Free version really free forever?

Yes! Free forever with no ads, no trials, and no hidden catches. Upgrade to Pro only for advanced features.

What extra features does Pro give me?

Pro unlocks full untruncated abstracts, normalized/publication-ready metadata, AI-boosted scraping from external sources (e.g., DOI), server-side processing for maximum reliability, unlimited usage, and priority support – perfect for EndNote, Zotero and Mendeley users.

How do I get and activate Pro?

Go to the Pro page, pay $15 one-time via Stripe – license key emailed instantly. Enter it in the extension popup to activate. Works on up to 3 browsers/computers.

Which browsers are supported?

Chrome and Microsoft Edge. Pro license works across both – no extra cost.

Is my data private and secure?

Absolutely. No login, no data stored or sold. Free modes process locally; Pro uses secure server-side processing without storing personal info.

Does it work on all sites?

It excels on PubMed, Medline, major journals, news pages (NRK, NHI), and more. Enhanced/Pro modes handle complex/republished pages better – great for EndNote, Zotero and Mendeley libraries.

Does ERS work with Mendeley?

Yes, absolutely! ERS produces standard RIS files that import perfectly into Mendeley (in addition to EndNote and Zotero). Many users choose ERS specifically to make switching or using multiple tools easier.

Ready to Supercharge Your EndNote, Zotero or Mendeley Workflow?

Start free today, or unlock Pro for ultimate accuracy – just $15 one-time, instant license, cross-browser support.

Get Pro Now – Only $15