The Paperpile Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Paperpile in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
Paperpile
The Insider’s Guide
Reference manager built around Google Drive, Docs and Word
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among AI research tools, read from Paperpile’s own pages.
Made by Paperpile LLC · checked Nov 13, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from Paperpile’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Paperpile’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Nov 13, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.2
GPA, above 16 of the 69 other AI research tools we grade
Paperpile is a reference manager for collecting papers, storing PDFs and inserting citations while you write. It runs in the browser with a Chrome extension, connects to a Google account and Google Drive, and has plugins for Google Docs and Word. Plans are billed annually, with a 50% academic discount.
To get you started, here are 9 things to know about Paperpile, taken from its own pages and our grades.
Sign-up is through a Google account and Chrome.
- 1
Best for a reference manager for Google Docs and Word
Paperpile is a reference manager built around Google Drive and Docs, with a Word plug-in and a browser extension.
- 2
Paid plans start at $8.30 a month
As its pricing page puts it: $8.30 per month, billed annually.
- 3
You can try it first
30-day free trial
- 4
It runs on 3 platforms
Web, iOS and Android, with a browser extension too.
- 5
Save papers from the web
A browser extension saves papers and PDFs from publisher pages and academic databases, and extracts metadata from PDFs you upload.
- 6
Library organization
Folders, labels, duplicate detection and merging, and automatic fixing of missing metadata keep a large library tidy.
- 7
Citations in Word and Google Docs
Plugins insert citations and bibliographies in more than 10,000 styles. Custom styles need the Expert plan.
- 8
A 2.2 GPA, above 16 of 69
That is against the other AI research tools we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 9
Keep it
To replace Paperpile you would be making a library of papers and sources to search. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
Paperpile at a glance
- Pricing
- Free trial, from $8.30 per month, billed annually
- Free plan
- No
- Free trial
- 30-day free trial
- Runs on
- Web, iOS, Android, Browser extension
- Made by
- Paperpile LLC, since 2012
- Category
- AI Research Tools
- Our grade
- 2.2 GPA, fair
The report card
Best for a reference manager for Google Docs and Word
Paperpile is a reference manager built around Google Drive and Docs, with a Word plug-in and a browser extension. Billing is annual only, sign-up goes through a Google account in Chrome, and notes, annotations and shared libraries are not in the cheaper plan.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | C | Regular is $8.30 a month on annual billing, above the $7.92 that starts the cheaper quarter of research tools. Expert is $11.50. |
| Free plan and trial | C | A 30-day free trial, with the page not saying a card is needed, and no free plan after it. |
| Features | C | Saving papers, a library, citations in Word and Docs, PDF reading and BibTeX. Full-text search, notes, annotations and shared libraries are not in Regular. |
| Ease of use | C | No store rating on record. Sign-up is through a Google account and Chrome. |
| Platforms and integrations | B | Web, an extension, iPhone and Android, with Docs, Word, Drive, Overleaf, OneDrive, Scopus and Web of Science. No desktop app. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who Paperpile is for
- Fits if you write in Google Docs and keep your files in Drive
- Works for students and researchers who want citations dropped into Word
Who it is not for
- Skip it if you want a plan that stays free, as there is only a 30-day trial
- Tight if you pay monthly, as there is no monthly billing and all plans bill annually
- Watch out: full-text PDF search, notes, annotations and shared libraries need Expert
- Watch out: sign-up is through a Google account, and the page says only Chrome can be used to sign up
- Skip it if you use Safari or Firefox, as support is described as a beta coming later
Good to know
Good for
- Researchers who already write in Google Docs
- Students and faculty who qualify for the 50% academic price
- Groups that want a shared paper library tied to Google Drive
Worth knowing
- All plans are billed annually; the pricing page says there is no monthly billing.
- Sign-up is through a Google account, and the page says only Chrome can be used to sign up.
- Full-text PDF search, notes, annotations and shared libraries are not in the Regular plan.
- Safari and Firefox support is described as a beta that is coming later.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
$8.30
A month to start
Paperpile is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $8.30 per month, billed annually.
Regular
$8.30
per month, billed annually
Reference collection, PDF storage, citations in all major styles and BibTeX, and basic Word and Google Docs integrations.
Expert
$11.50
per month, billed annually
Adds full-text search across PDFs, notes and annotations, shared folders and libraries, and any file type.
Enterprise and Institutions
Custom
Everything in Expert plus SAML single sign-on, a custom MSA and SLA, vendor security reviews and HIPAA support.
Trying it first
30-day free trial
Read from paperpile.com on Nov 13, 2026.
Ways to pay less
Education
50% academic discount
Students, faculty, researchers and eligible nonprofits get 50% off, so Regular is $4.15 and Expert $5.75 per month billed annually.
Stated on paperpile.comOther savings
Group discount on Expert
Expert plans get an automatic group discount of up to 20%, growing with the number of seats.
Stated on paperpile.com
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
4
Places it runs: Web, iOS, Android and Browser extension
Reference manager built around Google Drive, Docs and Word. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: real-time collaboration, web clipper, research, citations, highlights.
Saving papers, a library, citations in Word and Docs, PDF reading and BibTeX.
- Save papers from the web
- A browser extension saves papers and PDFs from publisher pages and academic databases, and extracts metadata from PDFs you upload.
- Library organization
- Folders, labels, duplicate detection and merging, and automatic fixing of missing metadata keep a large library tidy.
- Citations in Word and Google Docs
- Plugins insert citations and bibliographies in more than 10,000 styles. Custom styles need the Expert plan.
- PDF reading and annotation
- Highlight and note PDFs in the app. Notes and PDF annotations are Expert features, as is collaborative annotation.
- BibTeX and LaTeX
- Export and import BibTeX, customize citation keys, and on Expert keep a .bib file synced to Google Drive or Overleaf.
- Sharing
- Share with private links on every plan. Shared folders and shared libraries with access permissions are on Expert.
Where it runs
- Web
- iOS
- Android
- Browser extension
What it works with
- Google Docs
- Microsoft Word
- Google Drive
- Overleaf
- OneDrive
- Scopus
- Web of Science
- IEEE Xplore
Paperpile is made by Paperpile LLC, and has been around since 2012.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
16/69
Other AI research tools it is graded above
Paperpile's GPA of 2.2 is higher than 16 of the 69 other AI research tools we grade, and level with 14.
It stands best on platforms and integrations (B, above 28 of 69) and worst on features (C, above 1).
Its paid plans start at $8.30 a month, against a middle price of $10 for the category: 15 of the 48 others that charge start lower.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.3 out of 4. 12 tools score higher and cost less.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 70 AI research tools we grade, cut by the letter each got. Paperpile’s own letter is outlined.
- CValue for moneyAbove 10 of 69
- CFree plan and trialAbove 9 of 69
- CFeaturesAbove 1 of 69
- CEase of useAbove 1 of 69
- BPlatforms and integrationsAbove 28 of 69
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 59 AI research tools. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Paperpile is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
To replace Paperpile you would be making a library of papers and sources to search. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
That makes this kind of software worth paying for, not this one in particular: 39 of the 69 other AI research tools grade higher. It costs $99.60 a year.
What you could make
- Web clipper and highlights: an app builder makes these well.
What you could not
- A library of papers and sources to search.
- Citation records for millions of papers.
- A real app for iOS and Android. Something home-made would be a web page.
- Several people working in it at the same moment.
- It plugs into other products, Google Docs, Microsoft Word and Google Drive among them.
- What a company asks for before it lets staff use something: roles and permissions.
What this rests on. Paperpile’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Zotero, Mendeley, ReadCube Papers, Lean Library Workspace and Scholarcy
The 5 tools Paperpile is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.8GPA
Zotero
Free plan · from $20/yr
Free, open-source reference manager from a nonprofit.
- Zotero has a free plan. Paperpile does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Paperpile lists a web app.
- Only Paperpile lists a browser extension.
- 2.2GPA
Mendeley
Free plan · from $26/mo
Reference manager from Elsevier, with paid AI add-ons.
- Mendeley has a free plan. Paperpile does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Paperpile lists iOS and Android apps.
- Only Paperpile lists a browser extension.
- 2.4GPA
ReadCube Papers
Free trial · from $95/yr
Reference library with an AI assistant for cited answers.
- ReadCube Papers also covers chat assistant.
- 2.2GPA
Lean Library Workspace
Free plan · from $6.99/mo
Reference manager and citation add-ins, formerly Sciwheel.
- Lean Library Workspace has a free plan. Paperpile does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Paperpile lists iOS and Android apps.
- 2.6GPA
Scholarcy
Free plan · from $90/yr
Summarizes research papers into interactive flashcards.
- Scholarcy has a free plan. Paperpile does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Paperpile lists iOS and Android apps.
- Paperpile also covers web clipper and highlights.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
14
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is Paperpile free?
No, Paperpile is a paid product, but you can try it first. 30-day free trial.
How much does Paperpile cost?
Paperpile lists 3 plans. Regular: $8.30 per month, billed annually.
What platforms does Paperpile work on?
Paperpile is available on Web, iOS and Android. It also has a browser extension.
Does Paperpile offer any discounts?
Paperpile publicly lists the following: 50% academic discount; Group discount on Expert.
Does Paperpile have a Windows app?
No Windows app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Paperpile is listed for Web, iOS and Android.
Does Paperpile have a macOS app?
No macOS app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Paperpile is listed for Web, iOS and Android.
Is Paperpile open source?
Paperpile is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Nov 13, 2026.
What does Paperpile integrate with?
Paperpile's listing names Google Docs, Microsoft Word, Google Drive, Overleaf, OneDrive, Scopus, Web of Science and IEEE Xplore.
Does Paperpile have a student discount?
50% academic discount. Students, faculty, researchers and eligible nonprofits get 50% off, so Regular is $4.15 and Expert $5.75 per month billed annually.
Who makes Paperpile?
Paperpile is made by Paperpile LLC. It dates from 2012.
What are the alternatives to Paperpile?
The closest alternatives to Paperpile in our directory are Zotero, Mendeley, ReadCube Papers, Lean Library Workspace and Scholarcy.
How does Paperpile compare with other AI research tools?
Paperpile's GPA of 2.2 is higher than 16 of the 69 other AI research tools we grade, and level with 14.
Is Paperpile good value for money?
ToolGPA grades Paperpile C for value for money. Its paid plans start at $8.30 a month, against a middle price of $10 for the category: 15 of the 48 others that charge start lower.
Could I make my own version of Paperpile?
To replace Paperpile you would be making a library of papers and sources to search.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Paperpile’s own pages on Nov 13, 2026, and the grades were given on Nov 13, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Paperpile's own pages on 13 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by Paperpile LLC. Prices change, so check paperpile.com before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
7,721
Tools graded, in 95 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
7,721
tools graded
95
categories
739
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- Paperpile, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/paperpile
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "Paperpile: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 13, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/paperpile
Know someone choosing between AI research tools?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/paperpile/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded AI research tools after Paperpile, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- AI Research Tools Insider's GuideEvery one of the 70 AI research tools we grade, compared
- Ai2 Asta Insider's GuideAI research assistant for finding papers and analyzing data3.2 GPA
- Brave Search Insider's GuidePrivate web search engine with its own index and AI answers3.2 GPA
- CORE Insider's GuideOpen access research search backed by a free API3.2 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what Paperpile’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Paperpile is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Paperpile LLC. Prices and plans change: check paperpile.com before you buy.