JabRef Browser Extension

Name: JabRef Browser Extension
Rating: 3.5714 (21 reviews)
Author: Tobias Diez

Browser extension for users of the bibliographic reference manager JabRef. It automatically identifies and extracts bibliographic information on websites and sends them to JabRef with one click.

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The JabRef Browser Extension is designed for users of the bibliographic reference manager JabRef. It seamlessly identifies and extracts bibliographic information from websites, enabling quick import of references directly into JabRef with just one click. Whether you find articles via Google Scholar, arXiv, or journal publisher websites, this extension simplifies collecting references and associated PDFs, facilitating efficient management of academic papers.

The extension supports a wide range of publisher sites, library catalogs, and databases. Once installed from the browser store (or manually configured when using portable versions), users can import references by clicking the JabRef icon in the browser or pressing a shortcut. Downloaded PDFs are automatically linked and can be organized inside JabRef for easy access. This tool enhances academic research workflows, saving time and improving bibliography management accuracy.

Add-on Productivity Education Developer Tools

By:

Daily users:

Rating:

Version:

2.5 Last updated: 2022-01-23

Version code:

5354345

Creation date:

2016-03-28

Risk:

Permissions:

<all_urls>
activeTab
tabs
webNavigation
storage
nativeMessaging

Size:

527.28KB

URLs:

Website

Full description:

Source:

Firefox Browser Add-ons

Data ingested on:

2025-07-15

Ranking

# 1,883 ▼ 12

Other rankings

#340 in Other extensions ▼ 3

#1 in browser extension keyword 59

#21 in browser keyword 90

#26 in identify keyword 57

#29 in reference keyword 34 ▲ 2

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Other platforms

JabRef Browser Extension (v2.5)

10,000 2.81

(16)

JabRef Browser Extension (v2.5)

4,928 5.00

(3)

User reviews

The JabRef Browser Extension is praised for seamless integration with JabRef and convenient bibliographic import from websites. Users appreciate its functionality and shortcut keys, especially on Windows. However, multiple reviews highlight installation and compatibility hurdles on Linux, such as missing files and multiple instances opening. Users also note insufficient warnings for incomplete setup and occasional UI placement issues. When set up correctly, it offers a valuable tool for citation management, but several Linux users face challenges that require manual intervention.

Pros

Integrates well with JabRef for efficient bibliographic data import.
Easy installation process when instructions are correctly followed.
Helpful shortcut support (e.g., alt+shift+j) and menu access options.
Works well on Windows and some Linux distributions with proper configuration.
Improves citation management and export convenience from web sources like arXiv.

Cons

Compatibility issues and failures on certain Linux distributions without manual configuration.
The extension sometimes opens multiple JabRef windows, causing confusion.
Missing or required additional files (.json and jabrefHost.py) not bundled, complicating installation.
Lack of clear warnings or user feedback when the extension isn’t fully or properly installed.
Icon or interface elements may not appear in expected UI locations, reducing ease of use.

Recent reviews

by 退出*****, 2025-03-27

by 远离*****, 2025-02-12

by Fi*****, 2024-06-24

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Extension safety

Risk impact

Risk impact measures the level of extra permissions an extension has access to. A low risk impact extension cannot do much harms, whereas a high risk impact extension can do a lot of damage like stealing your password, bypassing your security settings, and accessing your personal data. High risk impact extensions are not necessarily malicious. However, if they do turn malicious, they can be very harmful.

JabRef Browser Extension requires some sensitive permissions that could impact your browser and data security. Exercise caution before installing.

Risk impact analysis details

Critical Allows access to all websites, posing a significant security risk as it can monitor and modify data from any visited site.
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Risk likelihood

Risk likelihood measures the probability that a Firefox add-on may turn malicious. This is determined by the publisher and the Firefox add-on reputation on Firefox Browser Add-ons, the amount of time the Firefox add-on has been around, and other signals about the Firefox add-on. Our algorithms are not perfect, and are subject to change as we discover new ways to detect malicious extensions. We recommend that you always exercise caution when installing a Firefox add-on.

JabRef Browser Extension has earned a fairly good reputation and likely can be trusted.

Risk likelihood analysis details

High This extension has low user count. Unpopular extensions may not be stable or safe.
Low **** ********* *** ******* **** **** * ****** **** ***** ******** *** **** ****** ** ** ****** *** *****
Low **** ********* *** ***** **** **** * ****** **** ***** ********** *** **** ****** ** ** ****** *** *****
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