Best AI tools for researchers

Search, synthesis and writing for evidence-based work.

Feature comparison
ToolRatingPriceFree planAPIOpen source
Elicit logoElicit4.3Free tier
Consensus logoConsensus4.2Free tier
NotebookLM logoNotebookLM4.5Free tier
Perplexity logoPerplexity4.6Free tier
Claude logoClaude4.7Free tier
Elicit automates the tedious extraction step of a literature review. Consensus answers claim-level questions across studies. NotebookLM keeps answers strictly inside your own source set. Perplexity covers everything outside academic indexes. Claude handles the synthesis and drafting once the evidence is gathered.