Best AI Research Assistants in 2026
Updated
AI research assistants can help you explore sources and work with research material. Compare deep research mode with source access and source citations to understand how each approaches evidence. File uploads and source limits can matter when you bring your own material into the process, and team workspace may be relevant for shared work. Perplexity, Kimi Deep Research, and Liner are among the options. Free-plan availability and paid starting prices add cost context. Consider whether source discovery, citation review, uploaded files, or collaboration matters most, then compare the listed capabilities.
22 of 22 with known pricing have a free tier;0 apps show full bars: free, open, on most devices and documented.
| # | App | Signal | Free tier | Open code | Devices | From | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PerplexityWeb · Windows · Mac · Android · iPhone · API | Three bars | 5 of 6 | Free | 6.8 | ||
| 2 | Genspark DesignWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux · Android · iPhone | Three bars | 6 of 6 | $19.99/mo | 6.7 | ||
| 3 | Kimi Deep ResearchWeb · Windows · Mac · Android · iPhone · Extension | Three bars | 5 of 6 | Free | 6.6 | ||
| 4 | LinerWeb · Windows · Mac · Android · iPhone · API · Extension | Three bars | 5 of 6 | $1.25/mo | 6.6 | ||
| 5 | ConsensusWeb · Android · iPhone · API · Extension | Three bars | 3 of 6 | $20/mo | 6.5 | ||
| 6 | Felo AI ResearchWeb · Android · iPhone · API | Three bars | 3 of 6 | $12.50/mo | 6.5 | ||
| 7 | Gab AI Research AssistantWeb · Mac · Android · iPhone · Extension | Three bars | 4 of 6 | $16.67/mo | 6.5 | ||
| 8 | InnogathWeb · Windows · Mac | Three bars | 3 of 6 | $2.67/mo | 6.5 | ||
| 9 | You.comWeb · Android · iPhone · API | Three bars | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | ||
| 10 | ElicitWeb · API | Two bars | 1 of 6 | $11/mo | 6.4 | ||
| 11 | Gemini NotebookWeb · Android · iPhone | Three bars | 3 of 6 | $9.99/mo | 6.4 | ||
| 12 | PraxaWeb · iPhone | Two bars | 2 of 6 | $29.99/mo | 6.4 | ||
| 13 | SciSpaceWeb · iPhone · Extension | Two bars | 2 of 6 | $5.83/mo | 6.4 | ||
| 14 | CLARAWeb | Two bars | 1 of 6 | Free | 6.3 | ||
| 15 | EmbarkeWeb · Self-hosted | Two bars | 1 of 6 | $39/mo | 6.3 | ||
| 16 | FolioWeb · API · Extension | Two bars | 1 of 6 | $8.25/mo | 6.3 | ||
| 17 | GPT ResearcherWeb · Self-hosted · API | Two bars | 1 of 6 | Free | 6.3 | ||
| 18 | LeapSpaceWeb | Two bars | 1 of 6 | £20.83/mo | 6.3 | ||
| 19 | Rabbit HoleMac | Two bars | 1 of 6 | $29/mo | 6.3 | ||
| 20 | ScholarlyWeb | Two bars | 1 of 6 | $1/mo | 6.3 | ||
| 21 | SciteWeb · API · Extension | Two bars | 1 of 6 | $14/mo | 6.3 | ||
| 22 | UndermindWeb · API · Extension | Two bars | 1 of 6 | $15/mo | 6.3 | ||
| 23 | FabricWeb · Windows · Mac · Android · iPhone · API · Extension | Two bars | 5 of 6 | $8/mo | 5.6 | ||
| 24 | Local Deep ResearchWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux · Self-hosted · API | Two bars | 4 of 6 | 5.6 | |||
| 25 | General Evidence AI Research AgentWeb | One bar | 1 of 6 | 5.3 |
Compare all 25 in a table
| # | App | Score | Free plan | From | Free plan | Paid from | Source citations | Deep research mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Perplexity | 6.8 | Free plan | Yes | ||||
| 2 | Genspark Design | 6.7 | Free plan | $19.99/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 3 | Kimi Deep Research | 6.6 | Free plan | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 4 | Liner | 6.6 | Free plan | $1.25/mo | Yes | 14.99 /user/mo | Yes | Yes |
| 5 | Consensus | 6.5 | Free plan | $20/mo | Yes | |||
| 6 | Felo AI Research | 6.5 | Free plan | $12.50/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 7 | Gab AI Research Assistant | 6.5 | Free plan | $16.67/mo | Yes | 16.67 /user/mo | Yes | Yes |
| 8 | Innogath | 6.5 | Free plan | $2.67/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 9 | You.com | 6.5 | Free plan | Free | Yes | 15 /user/mo | ||
| 10 | Elicit | 6.4 | Free plan | $11/mo | Yes | 11 /user/mo | Yes | Yes |
| 11 | Gemini Notebook | 6.4 | Free plan | $9.99/mo | Yes | |||
| 12 | Praxa | 6.4 | Free plan | $29.99/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 13 | SciSpace | 6.4 | Free plan | $5.83/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 14 | CLARA | 6.3 | Free plan | Free | Yes | Yes | ||
| 15 | Embarke | 6.3 | Free plan | $39/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 16 | Folio | 6.3 | Free plan | $8.25/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 17 | GPT Researcher | 6.3 | Free plan | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 18 | LeapSpace | 6.3 | Free plan | £20.83/mo | No | 26 /user/mo | Yes | Yes |
| 19 | Rabbit Hole | 6.3 | Free plan | $29/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 20 | Scholarly | 6.3 | Free plan | $1/mo | Yes | 12 /user/mo | Yes | Yes |
| 21 | Scite | 6.3 | Free plan | $14/mo | Yes | |||
| 22 | Undermind | 6.3 | Free plan | $15/mo | Yes | 15 /user/mo | ||
| 23 | Fabric | 5.6 | $8/mo | Yes | 8 /user/mo | |||
| 24 | Local Deep Research | 5.6 | Yes | Yes | Yes | |||
| 25 | General Evidence AI Research Agent | 5.3 | Yes | Yes |
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