Free and open first
Best AI Literature Review Software in 2026
AI literature review software is designed to support work such as screening papers, analyzing full text and organizing evidence for a review. Compared on AI paper summaries, screening workflow and systematic review support, the entries offer points of reference for different research methods. Consider collaboration seats and export formats if you need to share work or carry findings into another workflow. Free-plan availability and paid-from pricing add practical details to weigh. ASReview, Rayyan and Universal SLR Assistant are among the tools shown, along with Abstrackr and Axelium.
- 38 apps
- Research read 23 Sept 2026
- How the order is worked out
- 1
ASReview
Free plan Open source APILinuxMac+3ASReview offers active-learning prioritization, team screening, and workflow automation for systematic reviews.
- 2
RobotReviewer
Free plan Open source APILinuxMac+3Choose RobotReviewer if you need free clinical-trial PDF annotation, summary tables or API processing across groups of reports.
- 3
Universal SLR Assistant
Free plan Open source APILinuxMac+3Universal SLR Assistant covers much of a systematic or scoping review workflow and offers local workspace storage alongside cloud and local AI options.
- 4
Abstrackr
Free plan WebAbstrackr supports systematic review citation screening from import through conflict handling and export.
- 5
Axelium
Free plan ExtensionWebAxelium brings review workflows, analysis methods and collaboration controls into one platform.
- 6
Catchii
Free plan WebCatchii covers systematic review screening from duplicate checks through exports and PRISMA flowchart generation, with support for multiple reviewers and offline work.
- 7
Elicit
Free plan APIWebElicit brings paper search, document-based workflows, and cited outputs into one research assistant. The free Basic plan has usage limits, while API access is reserved for Pro and higher.
- 8
Iris.ai
Free plan APISelf-hostedWebIris.ai combines document processing, enterprise knowledge RAG, and scientific-literature search in one product family.
- 9
Rayyan
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+1Rayyan supports the review workflow from reference import through reporting, with AI-assisted screening and extraction.
- 10
Colandr
Free plan WebChoose Colandr for a free, web-based evidence review workflow with team collaboration and machine-learning assistance for screening and extraction.
- 11
EPPI-Reviewer
Free plan WebEPPI-Reviewer combines review management, analysis, and screening tools with Zotero and OpenAlex connections.
- 12
EvidenceGrid AI
Free plan WebEvidenceGrid AI brings literature search, screening, PDF review, and extraction into a shared review workflow. Its free plan provides a defined starting allowance of papers and AI extractions.
- 13
Evidentum
Free plan WebEvidentum brings literature search, screening, and appraisal into a browser-based review workflow. Check the separate-search requirements and AI data sharing before using it for a project.
- 14
INRA
Free plan WebINRA combines narrative drafting with structured systematic-review steps and a range of exports.
- 15
LitFlow
Free plan Self-hostedWebLitFlow offers a documented review workflow with AI suggestions while leaving decisions to researchers.
- 16
LitKernel
Free plan WebLitKernel offers a free entry plan and larger stated allowances on Researcher and Thesis.
- 17
Moara
Free plan APIWebMoara brings searching, screening, analysis, and collaboration into a single literature-review workspace.
- 18
Scholarcy
Free plan APIExtensionWebScholarcy offers several ways to turn research materials into summaries and flashcards, with research analysis and export options.
- 19
Mapped Research
Free plan WebMapped Research brings review workflows, statistical analysis, collaboration controls, and export options into a single web platform.
- 20
Nested Knowledge
Free plan WebNested Knowledge brings searching, screening, extraction, appraisal, and synthesis into one browser platform.
6.8 Visit site - 21
Sysrev
Free plan APISelf-hostedWebChoose Sysrev for evidence review projects that need flexible inputs, structured extraction, and multiple export formats. Basic offers unlimited public projects and reviewers at no cost.
- 22
ReviewBrewery
Free plan WebReviewBrewery combines screening, extraction, bias assessment, meta-analysis, reporting, and collaboration in a research workflow.
- 23
SWIFT-Review
Free plan MacWindowsChoose SWIFT-Review if you need a free desktop tool to organize citation sets and prioritize literature for systematic review screening.
- 24
Silvi
Free plan WebSilvi combines review workflows, extraction and analysis with team features and a free plan.
- 25
ActiveSLR
Free plan WebChoose ActiveSLR if you need a web-based systematic review workflow with screening, full-text analysis, and Excel export.
#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price