Zotero is a free, easy-to-use reference management tool to help you collect, organize, annotate, cite, and share sources. The free version offers 300 MB of cloud storage.
The current version, Zotero 9, can be downloaded directly from the website. Versions that are already installed can be updated via Help → Check for Updates.
To use it, you need the desktop programme itself and the Zotero Connector for your preferred browser. The Connector allows you to transfer references from databases and research portals to your Zotero library with just a few clicks.
What’s new in Zotero 9? – The three most important new features
Following the improvements and new features in version 8 released in January 2026 (see post), the new version 9 brings the next major update:
- Read Aloud (text-to-speech function)
Zotero can read out PDFs, EPUBs and web pages, remembers your reading position and can highlight sections of text you have read. - Annotations directly into your writing document
Comments from PDFs can now be inserted directly into Word and LibreOffice with the correct Zotero citation. - “Recently Read” – overview of texts you have read
A new automatic collection shows what you’ve read most recently and when – ideal when working on several projects at once.
- Further improvements and optimisations make Zotero more stable and faster (performance, group work, login, Reader, RTF scan, and much more). You can find details in the official changelog: https://www.zotero.org/support/changelog
Important: Zotero 8 and higher only supports current operating systems (e.g. Windows 10+ or macOS 10.15+). Older systems are no longer supported.
Detailed information can be found on the Zotero blog. We also offer regular introductions to Zotero as part of our
Wissen+ series.
Tip: Zotero for Android
Zotero is now also available on Android smartphones. This is particularly useful if you want to quickly glance at your library while on the go or spontaneously add a new source – without a laptop.
Unlimited Storage Space
Everyone with an HSLU e-mail address has unlimited storage space for Zotero.
- Use your HSLU e-mail address when registering for your Zotero account and you will automatically receive unlimited storage space.
- If you already have a Zotero account with a private e-mail address, please enter your HSLU e-mail address under the following link and you will be given unlimited storage space.
- applies to e-mail addresses with …@stud.hslu.ch and …@hslu.ch domains.
Helpful Tutorials and Information
Introductory Videos
FU Berlin, 9 min., Fall 2020
https://youtu.be/rqpRQhK9Al0
Examples with Primo (looks like swisscovery)
In German, good audio, pragmatic, highly recommended!
University of Dresden, Institute for German Studies, 14 min., January 2020
https://youtu.be/PqQp_oUUY5w
In German, personal style, with recommendations for academic assignments, also explains Zotero groups, somewhat lengthy towards the end
Crash course for Zotero from a private tutorial provider, 15 min, May 2021
https://youtu.be/-zeEig1qP3s
In German, dynamic, entertaining, personal style, practically divided into chapters,
many very enthusiastic responses in the YouTube comments section
FH Sankt Pölten, just under 5 minutes, July 2020
https://youtu.be/1gt85_2IBpA
In German, the shortest of all Zotero introduction videos, all important functions explained, auto-generated voice, incorrect auto-generated subtitles, looks somewhat unprofessional
How To Use Zotero (A Complete Beginner’s Guide), 12:40 Min, October 2021
https://youtu.be/JG7Uq_JFDzE
In English, good audio, a guide in chapters, focus on resource management
Zotero Groups Video
University of Dresden, 8:58 min, January 2020
https://youtu.be/HFIPQqcTEiA
In German, somewhat lengthy, recommends Zotero Groups in open public form, which is not suitable for academic assignments like a Bachelor’s thesis
Further Tutorials And Courses
Quickguide in written form on the Zotero website gives a good insight into working with the software
ZHAW Moodle course on Zotero (in German, members of all Swiss universities can register with their SWITCH edu-ID)