How to cite software and apps in APA 7

References and in-text citations for software and apps

This guide explains when software needs an APA reference and how to write its in-text citations. When you only mention a widely used tool, identifying its name and version in the text is normally sufficient.

Create a reference when you quote or paraphrase software content, when the tool has limited distribution, or when the exact version is needed to understand or reproduce the work.

Basic structure

Author or Company. (Year). Software name (Version) [Computer software]. Publisher or Distributor. URL

For a mobile app, change the description to [Mobile app] and include the app store or website where it can be obtained. If the author and publisher are the same organization, omit the repeated publisher.

Software example

The name, version, and address are illustrative.

Reference

Open Methods Laboratory. (2024). Clear Analytics (Version 3.2) [Computer software]. https://example.com/software/clear-analytics

Parenthetical citationThe source is identified in parentheses, normally with the author and year: (Perez, 2024).

(Open Methods Laboratory, 2024)

Narrative citationThe author is part of the sentence and the year appears in parentheses: Perez (2024).

Open Methods Laboratory (2024)

Apparatuses and equipment

Limited-distribution apparatuses or equipment may follow the same structure. Use a description such as [Apparatus] or [Apparatus and software]. Add a model number after the title when it is not already part of the name.

The date is the publication year of the version used. Do not automatically cite the current year or the date when you installed the program.

More tool and equipment examples

All names, versions, and addresses are illustrative.

Mobile app

Reference

Clear Classroom. (2024). Study notes (Version 5.1) [Mobile app]. App Store. https://example.com/apps/study-notes

Parenthetical citation:The source is identified in parentheses, normally with the author and year: (Perez, 2024). (Clear Classroom, 2024)

Narrative citation:The author is part of the sentence and the year appears in parentheses: Perez (2024). Clear Classroom (2024)

Apparatus with software

Reference

Visual Measurement. (2023). VM-20 eye reader [Apparatus and software]. https://example.com/equipment/vm-20

Parenthetical citation:The source is identified in parentheses, normally with the author and year: (Perez, 2024). (Visual Measurement, 2023)

Narrative citation:The author is part of the sentence and the year appears in parentheses: Perez (2024). Visual Measurement (2023)

Laboratory equipment

Reference

Educational Sound. (2022). Portable recording booth (Model PB-4) [Equipment]. https://example.com/equipment/pb-4

Parenthetical citation:The source is identified in parentheses, normally with the author and year: (Perez, 2024). (Educational Sound, 2022)

Narrative citation:The author is part of the sentence and the year appears in parentheses: Perez (2024). Educational Sound (2022)

Entry in a mobile reference app

Reference

Academy of Contemporary Language. (n.d.). Critical thinking. In Mobile dictionary of academic terms (Version 4.0) [Mobile app]. App Store. Retrieved August 4, 2026, from https://example.com/apps/dictionary

Parenthetical citation:The source is identified in parentheses, normally with the author and year: (Perez, 2024). (Academy of Contemporary Language, n.d.)

Narrative citation:The author is part of the sentence and the year appears in parentheses: Perez (2024). Academy of Contemporary Language (n.d.)

How to check the reference

• You confirmed that the software needs a complete reference.
• You included the exact version used.
• You described the item as software, an app, apparatus, or equipment.
• You avoided repeating the author as publisher.
• You added a URL that helps readers locate the tool.
• The citation contains the author or company and year.

See the other APA reference types.