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CitePlain
What it is
CitePlain generates citations and bibliographies from web pages, journal articles, books, tweets, YouTube videos, and podcasts. It accepts URLs, DOIs, or ISBNs and reads publisher citation and Open Graph metadata, using Crossref for DOI lookup and Open Library for ISBNs. The free plan includes APA 7, MLA 9, Chicago 17, Vancouver, CSE, and BibTeX, plus a bibliography builder for up to 50 sources per batch. Its Chrome, Edge, and Firefox extension can read metadata from the active tab and provide BibTeX with a stable cite key for Overleaf or Zotero. Pro adds 24 specialised styles, including Harvard, IEEE, AMA, OSCOLA, ACS, and ICMJE, plus batch URL import for 50 sources and a cloud library synced across the web app and extension. Free-tier references are stored locally in the browser. Pro costs $4.99/mo; yearly pricing is $39.00 per year, and lifetime options are listed at $89.00 or $199.00 once. CitePlain describes itself as a quick citation tool, not a replacement for a research reference manager.
For and against
For
- Accepts URLs, DOIs, and ISBNs
- Free plan includes six citation styles
- Bibliography builder handles 50 sources per batch
- Browser extension supports Chrome, Edge, and Firefox
- Pro adds cloud library sync
Against
- No free trial
- Free-tier references stay in browser local storage
- Some Pro styles may not match exact house-style details
The verdict
CitePlain offers a free starting point for individual citations, with Pro adding more styles, batch imports, and cloud sync. It is positioned as a citation tool rather than a full research reference manager.
Who it suits
CitePlain suits people who need to create individual citations or build a bibliography from web and publication identifiers. The free plan may fit users who want device-local references and one of its six listed styles.
Plans and prices
Free
6 source types · 6 citation styles · bibliography builder 50 sources per batch · device-local browser library
Read 15 Oct 2026 · citeplain.com
Pro monthly
Cloud sync · 30+ styles · batch URL import 50 per batch · cloud library
Read 15 Oct 2026 · citeplain.com
Pro yearly
Cloud sync · 30+ styles · batch URL import 50 per batch · cloud library
Read 15 Oct 2026 · citeplain.com
Founder Lifetime
Everything in Pro forever · no renewal or expiry · transferable email on request · first 100 customers
Read 15 Oct 2026 · citeplain.com
Lifetime
Everything in Pro forever · no renewal or expiry
Read 15 Oct 2026 · citeplain.com
Lifetime Founder
Everything in Pro, forever · no renewal or expiry · transferable email on request · first 100 customers
Read 29 Sep 2026 · citeplain.com
On the record
- Audience
- CitePlain describes itself as suited to quickly generating an individual citation and says it is not trying to replace Zotero as a research reference manager.citeplain.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Batch limit
- The bibliography builder supports 50 sources per batch, and Pro batch URL import supports 50 per batch.citeplain.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Batch URL import
- Pro supports importing up to 50 URLs per batch.citeplain.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Bibliography limit
- The bibliography builder accepts up to 50 sources in one batch.citeplain.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- BibTeX integration
- BibTeX export is free and uses stable cite keys intended for Overleaf or Zotero workflows.citeplain.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Browser extension
- The extension is listed for Chrome, Edge, and Firefox and reads metadata from the active tab.citeplain.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Browser library
- Free saved references are kept in browser local storage and are not sent off the device.citeplain.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Cancellation
- Subscriptions can be cancelled or downgraded through the Stripe Customer Portal, with access continuing through the paid period.citeplain.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Chicago limitation
- Chicago Notes and Bibliography is the current default, while an Author-Date toggle is planned for a future release.citeplain.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Clipboard workflow
- Generated citations are copied to the clipboard automatically and can be saved to the browser library.citeplain.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Cloud sync
- Pro synchronizes a cloud library across the web app, extension and add-ins.citeplain.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Company location
- The BrainBytes Studio GitHub profile lists Switzerland as its location.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Crossref and Open Library
- Crossref is used for DOI resolution and Open Library for ISBN enrichment.citeplain.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Device data policy
- The studio README says user data stays on the device.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- DOI fallback
- When page metadata is poor but a DOI is present, the extension queries Crossref for the canonical record.citeplain.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Exports and integrations
- The extension provides BibTeX with a stable cite key for use in Overleaf or Zotero, and DOI fallback uses Crossref.citeplain.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Extension editing
- The extension lets users correct author, year or title metadata before copying a citation.citeplain.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Extension engine
- The MV3 extension reads citation, Open Graph, Dublin Core and JSON-LD metadata from the active tab.citeplain.com · read 15 Oct 2026
