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Zettlr

Your One-Stop Publication Workbench

4.30(892 reviews)
Founded: 2017Updated: September 14, 2025
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zettelkasten

Zettlr is a free, open-source markdown editor designed for researchers, journalists, and writers. It combines powerful writing tools with Zettelkasten methodology, citation management, and academic publishing features.

Key Features

Zettelkasten methodology
Citation management
Academic writing tools
Graph visualization
Markdown editing
Export to PDF/Word/LaTeX
Zotero integration
JabRef integration
Internal linking
Tag system
File manager
Themes and dark mode

Pros

  • Completely free and open source
  • Excellent for academic writing
  • Strong citation management
  • Perfect Zettelkasten implementation
  • Multiple export formats
  • No vendor lock-in
  • Regular updates
  • Privacy-focused

Cons

  • Desktop-only application
  • Learning curve for beginners
  • No mobile apps
  • Limited collaboration features
  • Interface can feel technical
  • No cloud sync built-in

Integrations

Zotero
JabRef
Pandoc
LaTeX
BibTeX

Pricing

Free

Free
  • Unlimited documents
  • Zettelkasten support
  • Citation management
  • Graph view
  • Export to multiple formats
  • Themes and customization
  • Cross-platform sync
  • Academic writing tools

Quick Info

Platforms
Windows
macOS
Linux
Pricing Model
free
Founded
2017