Folio vs Mendeley
A reference manager and PDF library vs. the full research chain.
Mendeley, from Elsevier, pairs a reference manager with a PDF reader and a research catalog. Folio shares the library-and-reading core, then adds an integrated writing editor and verifiable integrity checks so you can take a source all the way to a defensible draft without switching tools.
Where Mendeley shines
- A free reference manager with a clean built-in PDF reader and annotation.
- A large research catalog and reader-based suggestions.
- Word plug-in citing and cross-device sync, backed by Elsevier.
What Folio adds
- You draft in the same place you read and cite — no separate word processor.
- AI assistance is grounded in your library and every suggestion is checkable.
- Built-in quote/citation verification and retraction flags before submission.
Which should you choose?
Choose Mendeley if you want a free manager with a solid PDF reader and are comfortable citing into Word.
Choose Folio if you want reading, drafting, citation, and integrity checking unified — with AI you can trust.
Frequently asked
Can I move my Mendeley references to Folio?
Yes — export from Mendeley as BibTeX or RIS and import into Folio; your library and metadata transfer over.
Does Folio have a PDF reader like Mendeley?
Yes. Folio includes an in-app PDF reader with highlights, notes, and freehand annotation, and it ties annotations back to the sources you cite.
Try the whole chain in one place
Discovery, reading, citations, drafting, and integrity checks — free to start, no credit card.
Comparison reflects publicly available information as of July 2026; Mendeley is a trademark of its owner and is not affiliated with Folio. Tools evolve — spot something out of date? Tell us at hello@usefolio.co.