Version comparison of Zotero Desktop v.6 vs v.7
Zotero 7 landed as a stable release in August 2024, the first major overhaul since Zotero 6’s debut in 2022. Below is a practitioner-oriented rundown of what actually changed, how licensing & pricing shake out, and when it still makes sense to stay on v6.
1 | Release & Support Snapshot
| Zotero 6 | Zotero 7 | |
|---|---|---|
| First stable | Mar 2022 | Aug 2024 |
| End-of-life | Security fixes only; no new features | Active feature & bug fixes |
| Plugin ecosystem | ~400 add-ons; legacy XUL/XPCOM | Restart-less Web-Extension API; many plugins need updates |
2 | Licensing & Cost
Both versions are released under the GNU AGPL v3 with the same zero-cost desktop license. Revenue still comes solely from optional cloud-storage subscriptions or institutional plans—not from the software itself.
No functional features are locked behind a paywall in either release.
3 | Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Category | Zotero 6 | Zotero 7 |
|---|---|---|
| User Interface | Classic three-pane; horizontal item-tabs | Modern redesign, collapsible side sections, Dark Mode baked in |
| Built-in Reader | PDF only, tabs, annotation colors | PDF + EPUB + Web page snapshots; underline & ink annotations; reference pop-ups |
| Performance | Intel 64-bit; Rosetta on Apple Silicon (no native build) | Native Apple Silicon, 64-bit Windows & ARM, faster DB queries |
| Citation Workflow | Note editor w/ live citations, Markdown export | One-click “selected/open item” suggestion in cite dialog |
| Collections & Trash | Items only | Deleted collections & searches recoverable |
| Plugin API | XUL/XPCOM (restart required) | Web-Extension-style API, live reload, new UI hooks |
| File Renaming | Simple template | Complex rule-builder (regex, conditional) |
4 | Pros & Cons at a Glance
| Pros | Cons | |
|---|---|---|
| Zotero 6 | • Rock-solid plugin catalogue• Lower RAM footprint on older PCs• No learning curve for long-time users | • No native Apple Silicon build (requires Rosetta)• Limited to PDFs• UI feels dated |
| Zotero 7 | • Modern UI + Dark Mode• Native performance on new hardware• EPUB & webpage annotation• Safer undo/Trash features• Smarter citation popup | • Some favourite plugins still pending port• Minor UI regressions still surfacing (“kinks” noted by devs) • Upgrade forces library DB schema change—downgrade is messy |
5 | Should You Upgrade?
| Situation | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Apple Silicon Mac or Windows on ARM | Upgrade—speed gains are substantial and Rosetta is no longer needed. |
| Mission-critical plugin(s) not yet ported | Stay on 6 until the developer releases a 7-compatible build. |
| Heavy EPUB or webpage annotation workflow | Upgrade—v7’s reader is worth it. |
| Teaching labs or shared machines | Test first; new UI may require quick orientation for students. |
6 | Upgrade Tips
- Back up your Zotero data directory (including zotero.sqlite and storage/).
- Check each plugin’s GitHub issues for a “Zotero 7” branch or pre-release build.
- After the upgrade, let Zotero run an initial full index rebuild—it’s faster but still takes time on large libraries.
- Keep a copy of the Zotero 6 installer if you must roll back (downgrade requires a database restore).
7 | The Bottom Line
Zotero 7 is a quantum leap in design, speed and file-format coverage, while preserving the AGPL and free desktop model that make Zotero unique in academic software. Unless you’re blocked by an un-ported plugin or entrenched in a low-spec workflow, the benefits outweigh the brief migration pain.
For everyone else, Zotero 6 will keep ticking along—but its days of new features are over. When you’re ready, Zotero 7 awaits with dark-mode-powered, EPUB-annotating arms.
Article updated July 2025. All screenshots for illustrative/educational use.