Published February 3, 2021. Updated August 15, 2021.

To create a software reference or citation, you will need to know the title of the software program, developer’s name, version, publisher, year released, platform, and URL.

The templates and examples below will show you how to cite a software program in MLA, APA, Chicago style, and Harvard referencing.

Easily cite a software program in the style of your choice using the Chegg Writing citation generator.

Help protect your paper against accidental plagiarism with the Chegg Writing plagiarism checker and citation generator.

Citing a software program in MLA style

Set the title of the software in sentence case and italicize it.

In-text citation template and example:

(Developer Surname)

(Atkinson)

Works cited entry template and example:

Citing a software program in APA style

Set the title of the software in sentence case and italicize it. Insert the software type (e.g. [Computer software], [Mobile app], [Source code]) in brackets after the version number.

In-text citation template and example:

(Developer Surname, Publication Year)

(Zend Technologies, 2017)

Reference list entry template and example:

Citing a software program in Chicago style, Notes-Bibliography

Set the title of the software in title case and italicize it. Insert “v.” (“V.” in the bibliography) before the version number.

Footnote template and example:

Note

1. Developer Full Name, Title of the Software, Version number, Publisher, Platform, Publication Year.

2. Appcelerator, Inc., Titanium SDK, v. 9.2.2 GA. Appcelerator, Inc., iOS or Android, 2020.

Shortened note

1. Developer Surname, Software Title

2. Appcelerator, Inc., Titanium SDK.

Bibliography entry template and example:

Citing a software program in Chicago style, Author-Date

Set the title of the software in title case and italicize it. Insert “V.” before the version number.

In-text citation template and example:

(Developer Surname Publication Year)

(Reason 2014)

Reference list entry template and example:

How to cite a software program in Harvard referencing style

The title of the software should be sentence case and italicized.

In-text citation template and example:

(Developer Surname, Publication Year)

(Dropbox, Inc., 2017)

Reference list entry template and example:

Writing a paper? Don’t forget to include a bibliography.