# JabRef Browser Extension

> 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.

Canonical page: [https://chrome-stats.com/d/jabref](https://chrome-stats.com/d/jabref)

## Overview

- **ID:** `jabref`
- **Platform:** Firefox
- **Type:** Firefox add-on
- **Status:** Available
- **Publisher:** Tobias Diez
- **Category:** other
- **Daily users:** 1,845
- **Weekly downloads:** 30
- **Rating:** 3.57 / 5 (21 ratings)
- **Version:** 3.2.2
- **Last updated:** 2026-05-04
- **First published:** 2016-03-28
- **Size:** 3.78 MB
- **Data as of:** 2026-09-11
- **Store listing:** [Firefox Add-ons Store](https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/jabref/)
- **Website:** [https://github.com/JabRef/JabRef-Browser-Extension/issues](https://github.com/JabRef/JabRef-Browser-Extension/issues)

## Description

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.

## Rankings

- #2,288 — Overall
- #362 — Other extensions
- #3 — browser extension
- #28 — browser
- #36 — identify
- #41 — reference

## Permissions and access

### Permissions

- `<all_urls>`
- `scripting`
- `activeTab`
- `tabs`
- `storage`
- `nativeMessaging`
- `offscreen`
- `webRequest`
- `declarativeNetRequest`

### Host permissions

- `<all_urls>`

## Safety

- **Risk impact:** High risk impact
- **Risk likelihood:** Moderate risk likelihood

### Analysis details

- Grants access to browser tabs, which can be used to track user browsing habits and history, presenting a privacy concern.
- This extension has low user count. Unpopular extensions may not be stable or safe.

> Some risk analysis details are omitted from this free response. [Upgrade to view the full analysis](https://chrome-stats.com/pricing).

## Review summary

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.

## Similar extensions and apps

- [Jenni Web Importer](https://chrome-stats.com/d/jenni-web-importer) — 398 users
- [Sciwheel Browser Extension](https://chrome-stats.com/d/f1000-annotator) — 1,697 users, 4.00 / 5
- [Google Scholar Button](https://chrome-stats.com/d/google-scholar-button) — 91,723 users, 4.50 / 5
- [BibTex Quick Copy for Google Scholar](https://chrome-stats.com/d/bibtex-quickcopy-googlescholar) — 34 users, 4.00 / 5
- [ScholarHub](https://chrome-stats.com/d/scholarhub) — 7 users, 5.00 / 5
- [Article Galaxy Browser Extension](https://chrome-stats.com/d/article-galaxy-browser-ext) — 23 users
- [Part-DB Page Submitter](https://chrome-stats.com/d/part-db-page-submitter) — 24 users
- [ReadCube](https://chrome-stats.com/d/readcube-papers) — 2,724 users, 3.79 / 5
- [Scholarcy Browser Extension](https://chrome-stats.com/d/scholarcy-browser-extension) — 576 users, 3.00 / 5
- [Jiffy Reader](https://chrome-stats.com/d/jiffy-reader) — 2,192 users, 4.31 / 5
- [Mendeley Referencer Pro](https://chrome-stats.com/d/mendeley-referencer-pro) — 267 users, 5.00 / 5
- [Zotref Checker for Zotero](https://chrome-stats.com/d/zotref-checker) — 12 users

---

Source: [Chrome-Stats](https://chrome-stats.com/d/jabref)