DEEPNOTIS vs. Citavi
Windows-based researchers who need deep project organization and knowledge-management features beyond plain reference storage.
Quick answer
If you write in .docx and want citations handled without switching tools, DEEPNOTIS wins. If deeper knowledge-management features (quotes, categories, thoughts), Citavi is the better fit.
At a glance
| DEEPNOTIS | Citavi | |
|---|---|---|
| Model | Freemium web app | paid |
| Price | Free 3 docs/month · Pro £9/mo | One-time license around €150, annual subscription options. |
| Extracts citations from .docx | Yes — automatic | Manual |
| AI auto-enrichment | Yes (DOI/ISBN/URL) | No |
| Offline mode | No | Partial |
| CSL styles supported | 2,800+ | 2,800+ (CSL) |
Citavi strengths
- +Excellent project-based organization for large reviews
- +Built-in knowledge management (quotes, categories, thoughts)
- +Strong in the German and European academic market
Citavi limitations
- −Windows-only desktop (macOS and Linux users are out)
- −Steep learning curve
- −Dated UI — feels like a 2015 application
- −Poor browser workflow compared to modern tools
Where DEEPNOTIS wins
- ✓Works on any OS through the browser — no install required
- ✓Modern UI that matches the writing tools researchers already use
- ✓Citation workflow built for a .docx, not a proprietary database
Where Citavi wins
- ✓Deeper knowledge-management features (quotes, categories, thoughts)
- ✓Better for very large, multi-year projects with complex taxonomies
- ✓Strong institutional support in German-speaking universities
Migrating from Citavi
Export your Citavilibrary as BibTeX or RIS, then upload it to DEEPNOTIS alongside your document. Our dedup tool catches duplicates, auto-enrichment fills in missing DOIs, and you're citing in your preferred style within a minute.
Try DEEPNOTIS alongside Citavi
Free for 5 documents, no credit card. Upload your .docx and see the time savings for yourself.
Try it freeLast updated: 5 May 2026