The Scribbr Citation Generator is a reliable, web-based tool that helps students, researchers, and writers create accurate citations and reference lists in popular styles including APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard, and others. Users can manually enter source details via guided forms or use the Chrome extension to auto-capture information from webpages, generating properly formatted in-text citations and full references instantly. It’s especially valued for its adherence to the latest style guidelines and clean, copy-paste-ready output that saves time during academic writing, essays, research papers, and theses.
Is Scribbr Citation Generator Free or Paid?
The Scribbr Citation Generator is completely free to use with no registration required and no hidden paywalls or premium-only features for core citation creation. All major styles, manual entry, auto-cite via extension, and exports work without any cost, making it one of the most accessible academic citation tools available.
Scribbr Citation Generator Pricing Details
Since the Scribbr Citation Generator is offered at no charge, there are no subscription plans or paid tiers specifically for the citation tool itself. Scribbr does offer separate paid services (like proofreading, plagiarism checks, or structure editing), but these are unrelated to the citation generator.
| Plan Name | Price (Monthly / Yearly) | Main Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free (Full Access) | $0 | Unlimited citations in APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard & more; manual & auto-cite (Chrome extension); in-text & reference list generation; no account needed; copy-paste or export options | Students, researchers, writers needing accurate, no-cost citations for essays, papers, theses |
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Best Alternatives to Scribbr Citation Generator
Several other citation tools offer strong free or freemium options with varying strengths in automation, style coverage, or integration features.
| Alternative Tool Name | Free or Paid | Key Feature | How it compares to Scribbr Citation Generator |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZoteroBib (zbib.org) | Free | No-sign-up instant citations, supports many styles, saves to library | Completely free & ad-free; excellent for quick use but lacks Chrome auto-cite extension like Scribbr |
| MyBib | Freemium + Paid | Auto-cite from URLs, browser extension, bibliography management | Very similar ease and accuracy; free core is strong, paid unlocks unlimited storage vs Scribbr’s unlimited free |
| Citation Machine (Chegg) | Freemium + Paid | Smart search for sources, MLA/APA/Chicago support | Good auto-fill from databases; requires subscription after trial for full features unlike Scribbr’s 100% free |
| SciSpace Citation Generator | Free + Paid add-ons | AI-assisted citations, integrates with research papers | Strong for scientific/academic sources; more AI help but occasional paywalls vs Scribbr’s fully open access |
| Grafiati | Freemium + Paid | Highly accurate formatting, manual control, export to Word | Often more precise for complex sources; free tier limited vs Scribbr’s unlimited free generations |
| Purdue OWL Citation Tools | Free | Manual guides + basic generators | Great educational resource; less automated than Scribbr’s form-based quick generator |
Pros and Cons of Scribbr Citation Generator
Pros:
- 100% free with no limits, no sign-up, and no premium upsells for basic or advanced citation needs
- Supports the most common academic styles (APA 7th, MLA 9th, Chicago 17th, Harvard) with up-to-date guidelines
- Chrome extension enables one-click auto-citation from any webpage for fast, accurate source capture
- Clean, reliable output that’s easy to copy-paste or export, reducing formatting errors
- Guided input forms help avoid mistakes even for less experienced users
- Trusted by millions of students worldwide for consistent, professional-looking references
Cons:
- No built-in bibliography management or storage—citations must be saved/copied manually each time
- Relies on user input accuracy; auto-cite via extension can occasionally miss details on complex pages
- Lacks some niche or specialized styles that other tools might cover
- No direct integration with word processors beyond copy-paste (unlike tools with plugins like Zotero)
- Separate Scribbr services (plagiarism check, proofreading) require payment, which can confuse users expecting bundled features
- Internet connection required—no offline mode for the generator