Best Research Tools
Compare 9 of the best research tools — with reviews, pricing, features, pros and cons, and alternatives to help you choose the right one.
Perplexity
Research
Perplexity is an AI-powered answer engine that searches the web in real time and returns concise, cited answers, with Pro search, file analysis and access to multiple frontier models.
AI answer engine with cited web search
- Accurate answers with inline citations
- Real-time web access
- Best features require Pro subscription
- Occasional source-quality variance
Arc Search
Search
Arc Search uses AI to summarize web results and generate concise answers while browsing.
AI-powered web browsing and search
- Fast summaries
- Modern interface
- No API
- Limited extensions
SciSpace
Research
SciSpace helps researchers understand scientific papers with AI explanations and literature search.
Academic research
- Paper explanations
- Citation support
- Premium features paid
- Academic focus only
You.com
AI Search
You.com is an AI-powered search engine that combines web search with chat, writing and productivity tools.
AI search and productivity
- Fast AI search
- Integrated chat
- Premium features locked
- Rate limits on free plan
Genspark
Research
Genspark combines AI search, deep research, and content generation into an intelligent workspace for professionals.
AI search and research workspace
- Free tier/plan available
- Professional support & updates
- Closed source platform
- Requires active internet connection
Semantic Scholar
Research
Semantic Scholar by Allen Institute for AI indexes 200M+ academic papers with AI-generated summaries and citation influence scores.
AI-powered academic paper search
- Free tier/plan available
- Developer API access available
- Closed source platform
- Requires active internet connection
Otio
Research
Otio is an AI research assistant that summarizes articles, videos and PDFs into concise insights.
Research and summarization
- Summarizes PDFs
- Video support
- Limited free plan
- No public API
Consensus
Research
Consensus is an AI search engine that searches 200 million scientific papers and synthesises evidence-based answers with citations.
AI search for scientific papers
- Free tier/plan available
- Professional support & updates
- Closed source platform
- Requires active internet connection
Elicit
Research
Elicit uses AI to help researchers find relevant papers, summarise findings and extract data from academic literature automatically.
AI research assistant for literature
- Free tier/plan available
- Professional support & updates
- Closed source platform
- Requires active internet connection