The web version of Zotero allows you to access your citations anywhere and can sync with the desktop version. There is no installation required, you just have to make a Zotero account and login on their website.

To use Zotero online:

1. Go to the Zotero homepage and click the 'login' button in the upper right corner.
2. Enter your login information, or create a free account.
3. Once you are logged in, the browser should take you directly to your library.
4. You can also navigate to different tabs online, such as "Groups," where you can create group libraries in order to share citations with others.

Zotero 7 Standalone is a desktop software which works with your choice of browser with the help of the Zotero Connector plugin. The desktop application runs on Mac, Windows, Linux, and iOS operating systems.

To install Zotero 7 for the desktop:

1. Go to the Zotero homepage and click the red "Download" button.

2. The Zotero website should be able to detect which operating system you use, and will show which option you should download. If needed, other platforms are listed below.

3. Run through the setup steps as prompted.

4. Once you've downloaded Zotero 7, add the Zotero Connector for Firefox, Chrome, Safari or Edge. If using Safari, there will be no download button for the Zotero Connector, as it will be downloaded automatically when the desktop application is installed. 

If you have any problems, check the Zotero installation page.

If you have already have a Zotero online account and a Zotero Standalone application downloaded on your computer, it is a simple process to update the older version to Zotero 7. Zotero online automatically updates, but there are a couple of steps to follow in order to update your Zotero Standalone.

• Open the Zotero Standalone application.
• Click on the "Help" tab located at the top of the screen.
• From the drop down menu, click on "Check for Updates".
• It will look for updates and let you know if one is available.
• If there is an update available, then you will be able to update your Zotero Standalone to the latest version.

For more information on Zotero 7, check out the Zotero 7: Zotero, redesigned page and the Now Available: Zotero 7 forum page.

Zotero 7 Standalone is a good option if:

• You prefer to use your citation manager in a separate window, rather than in your web browser.

• You want to insert citations into Microsoft Word or LibreOffice documents.

• You have a rather large library of citations, and want to utilize the additional organizational features that the desktop application provides.

Zotero Online is a good option if:

• You work on many different computers, and need a portable library of citations.

• You have a Chromebook, or other type of laptop that does not allow software installation.

​You can both install Zotero 7 and use Zotero online. Make sure to use the "sync" button in the upper right of the online version and Zotero Standalone and sign in so that your citations sync between them.

The Microsoft Word Plugin, the LibreOffice Plugin, and the Google Docs Plugin allow you to easily cite items from your Zotero library while writing. 

Note: For Word and LibreOffice specifically, the plugin usually downloads automatically with Zotero 7. However, if it did not install at the same time as the Zotero 7 Standalone, follow the instructions below.

For both Windows and Mac:

1. Open Zotero 7 Standalone.
2. Click "Edit."
3. Then choose "Cite" and scroll down to the section that says "Word Processors"
4. Then click on install/re-install the Word or LibreOffice Plugin.
5. This does require you to restart the application and your computer.