Formats a citation from a URL or title
Turns a source into a formatted reference.
Write It
EasyBib
Comparison
Write It vs EasyBib
EasyBib is the citation generator everyone used in ninth grade. It still works. It also stops the moment you have the citation.
Write It teamUpdated 2 min read
Almost everyone has used EasyBib. Paste a URL, pick MLA, copy the citation. It is simple and it works, and for a three-source assignment there is nothing wrong with it.
| Feature | Research + writingWrite It | Citation generatorEasyBib |
|---|---|---|
| Formats a citation from a URL or titleTurns a source into a formatted reference. | ||
| Finds sources for your topicSearches for material rather than formatting what you bring. | ||
| Keeps a library tied to one projectSources stay grouped with the document you are writing. | Account-based lists | |
| Inserts the Works Cited into your docPuts the formatted bibliography into the document directly. | Copy and paste | |
| Course-specific research modesAP Research and AP Seminar lenses on source discovery. | ||
| Writes and revises the paperDrafts prose, not just references. | ||
| Free to useUsable at no cost. | Free tier, paid plans | Free with ads |
Finds sources for your topic
Searches for material rather than formatting what you bring.
Write It
EasyBib
Keeps a library tied to one project
Sources stay grouped with the document you are writing.
Write It
EasyBibAccount-based lists
Inserts the Works Cited into your doc
Puts the formatted bibliography into the document directly.
Write It
EasyBibCopy and paste
Course-specific research modes
AP Research and AP Seminar lenses on source discovery.
Write It
EasyBib
Writes and revises the paper
Drafts prose, not just references.
Write It
EasyBib
Free to use
Usable at no cost.
Write ItFree tier, paid plans
EasyBibFree with ads
Competitor details verified August 2, 2026. Other products change often, so check their site for the current feature set.
What a citation generator does not cover
A generator takes a source you already have and formats it. That is one step of a research paper, and usually the last one. It does not help you find credible sources, keep track of which ones you actually used, or write anything.
It also leaves you managing a browser tab full of citations that are not attached to anything. Come back to the paper two weeks later and you are re-deriving which source supported which claim.
Sources, library, bibliography
Research Mode runs the sequence as one workflow rather than three disconnected steps.
Set the style and the course
Pick MLA 9, APA 7, Chicago in notes or author-date, or IEEE, and a lens like AP Research or AP Seminar. Both shape what gets surfaced and how references will read.
Search and vet
Search your topic, open the candidates that look promising, and keep the ones that actually support your argument. You decide what belongs — the tool narrows the field.
Insert the Works Cited
Generate the bibliography from the sources you approved and put it into the document, formatted, without copying from another tab.
Check the output either way
Worth saying about every citation tool including ours: automatically generated references are not always right. Missing publication dates, wrong container titles, and mangled author names are common when a source page has incomplete metadata. Skim the finished Works Cited against the style guide before you submit — it takes two minutes and it is where easy points get lost.
Get the sources and the bibliography in one place
Install Write It and run source discovery through Works Cited without leaving your Google Doc.
Which one do you need?
Pick Write It when
- You have a paper to write, not just a bibliography to format.
- You still need to find sources and want the search shaped by your course and citation style.
- You want the Works Cited inserted into the document instead of copied across from a browser tab.
Pick EasyBib when
- You have three sources, you need three citations, and you want it done in ninety seconds for free.
- You do not want to install an extension or make an account.
Bottom line: For formatting a handful of citations quickly and for free, EasyBib is fine and always has been. Write It is aimed at the paper around them: finding the sources, keeping them organized per project, drafting the prose, and inserting the bibliography where it belongs. If citations are your only problem, EasyBib solves it. If citations are the last thing on a long list, they are not.
Frequently asked questions
Is EasyBib still free?
EasyBib has a free citation generator alongside paid tiers, and the specifics change over time — check their site. Write It’s citation features are part of Research Mode, which a free account can use.
Which citation styles does Write It support?
MLA 9, APA 7, Chicago in either notes or author-date form, and IEEE. Those cover most high school and undergraduate requirements.
How much does Write It cost?
Write It is free to start with 5,000 tokens at signup. Plus is $10 a month or $96 a year and includes 100,000 tokens a month. Premium is $15 a month or $144 a year and includes 200,000 tokens a month. Unused tokens roll over on both paid plans.
Does Write It work outside Google Docs?
Write It runs in Google Docs with the full toolkit, in Microsoft Word on the web, and in Google Slides with a lighter feature set.