EndNote licensing is expensive and options are varied and not straightforward. This page attempts to untangle their costs and trade-offs related to the different buying and upgrading options.

Table of contents

There are alternatives to EndNote

See Cornell Library page for

EndNote can be expensive for groups

EndNote is licensed per user NOT by computer

License agreement statement, as of 5/8/2018:

  • https://endnote.com/license
    • If End User is using a desktop version of EndNote, the End User may install one copy of the Software on up to three computers for End User's personal use [...].
    • It is expressly understood that the Software program will only be in use by End User on one computer at any given time.

Upgrades

Same-version updates are free. Jumping up a full version requires paying for the upgrade. The last time it was over 3 years between upgrades:

Retail version upgrades at Campus Store is $109.95 for physical.

  • Retail download-only is $99.95. And physical, shipped is $109.95 (but then add shipping?).

Odd: "Academic" upgrade (Students/Faculty/Staff ) is $108.95, so costs more?! <http://endnote.com/buy> or <http://endnote.com/interstitial>.

Note: You must have a fully licensed previous version of EndNote installed on your computer to qualify for the upgrade product.

Note: You’ll need your serial number from X6 (or earlier) to activate.

Snapshot of cost and purchase and upgrade options

Bottom line

The consistently cheapest method to buy EndNote is via download, buying direct. It is $11 cheaper for students and $30 cheaper for faculty/ staff. The download-only method is available from EndNote's academic reseller, "OnTheHub eStore", which you can get to from:

The most convenient method to buy EndNote is via the Campus Store. And if you want physical media, it's the same price as buying direct.

Buying tips

  • Don't buy if you can instead upgrade an existing version.
  • Don't buy for the same user wanting a license on up to three computers.
  • Always buy via academic discount pricing since always cheaper than retail pricing. (Unlike for some EndNote upgrades, alas.)
  • The difference between the more expensive Staff and faculty version vs the cheaper student licensing is simply who is paying for the software.
    • For example, you can't use a departmental account or a PCard to buy student licenses. Instead, the student is expected to pay (with a personal credit card, say).

Updated data-points from March 2017

$249.95 (faculty/ staff), physical only

$124.95 (student), physical only

Volume discounts don't seem a good choice for research groups

ChemIT attempted to bulk-license for a group in summer 2015 and price quoted was not cheaper than buying boxes at the Campus Store. The cheapest way used to be via Campus Store (physical, only), but now it's via download-only.

  • March 2017: Overheard Aye group bought licenses for group members for about $800 total. Q: Cost-effective? Easier?

Older price point of Version X7, 10/2015

All offerings seem to be multi-platform (Windows / Mac) and perpetual (of same version; not free version upgrades).

$219.95 (faculty/ staff), physical only.

  • Versus faculty/ academic staff retail $219.95., <http://endnote.com/buy>.

  • Versus full-price retail of $249.95 ($299.95 shipped (physical)).

$119.95 (student), physical only.

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