Freedom251 › Documents & Writing
Free and open first
Best Literature Review Software in 2026
Literature review software can support the process of finding research, screening studies, managing full texts, and mapping evidence. Compare discovery tools, screening workflow, evidence mapping, and systematic review tools according to the stages where you need support. Collaboration, full-text management, and citation import limits are useful to consider for team projects or extensive reference collections. Free-plan availability and paid-from pricing offer additional comparison points. ASReview, RevMan, and Bibliometrix are among the entries; EviSynth and Rayyan are also included. Match the listed capabilities to the workflow and scale of the review you are undertaking.
- 28 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
Bibliometrix
Free plan APIMacWeb+1Bibliometrix combines literature analysis methods with several bibliographic sources and R-based extensions.
- 3
Abstrackr
Free plan WebAbstrackr supports systematic review citation screening from import through conflict handling and export.
- 4
Buhos
Free plan APILinuxMac+3Buhos offers a broad set of tools for conducting a systematic review, including screening, collaboration, and analysis.
- 5
EviSynth
Free plan AndroidiPhoneWebEviSynth brings screening, risk-of-bias assessment, imports, and team collaboration into one review platform.
- 6
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.
- 7
CADIMA
Free plan WebCADIMA brings review documentation, collaborative screening, and evidence synthesis guidance into a free web tool.
- 8
Colandr
Free plan WebChoose Colandr for a free, web-based evidence review workflow with team collaboration and machine-learning assistance for screening and extraction.
- 9
Rayyan
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+1Rayyan supports the review workflow from reference import through reporting, with AI-assisted screening and extraction.
- 10
EPPI-Reviewer
Free plan WebEPPI-Reviewer combines review management, analysis, and screening tools with Zotero and OpenAlex connections.
- 11
Inciteful
Free plan WebInciteful brings citation-network discovery and paper-to-paper path exploration together in a free web tool. Graph Pruning is a beta feature whose continued support is uncertain.
- 12
RevMan
Free plan LinuxMacWeb+1RevMan combines structured review writing, analysis, and visualization with collaboration tools.
- 13
INRA
Free plan WebINRA combines narrative drafting with structured systematic-review steps and a range of exports.
- 14
VOSviewer
Free plan LinuxMacWeb+1Choose VOSviewer if you need free tools to build and share bibliometric visualizations from scientific literature.
- 15
LitMap
Free plan WebChoose LitMap if you need to map and organize research papers, compare their claims, and export a cited outline.
- 16
Litmaps
Free plan WebLitmaps combines paper discovery with citation mapping, monitoring, and sharing. The free plan has defined limits, while Pro Education expands search and usage and Team adds collaboration.
- 17
Lit Mind Maps
Free plan WebChoose Lit Mind Maps if you are a Masters or PhD student who wants cited literature searches with mind maps, timelines, and citation mapping. Its Word draft can help start a review or proposal.
- 18
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.
- 19
Nested Knowledge
Free plan WebNested Knowledge brings searching, screening, extraction, appraisal, and synthesis into one browser platform.
6.7 Visit site - 20
Open Knowledge Maps
Free plan WebOpen Knowledge Maps offers a broad, visual way to explore research literature at no cost. Its 100-resource map limit and lack of collaboration or systematic-review tools should shape expectations.
- 21
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.
- 22
ResearchRabbit
Free plan WebResearchRabbit offers literature discovery, visual mapping, and collection sharing, with a free tier and paid upgrades.
- 23
LASER AI
Free trial AndroidiPhoneWebLASER AI combines review screening, extraction, collaboration, and audit history in a web service. Its annual per-user and one-time per-project plans place it in a paid research-tool category.
- 24
PICO Portal
Free plan WebPICO Portal provides review workflows and several export formats, with plan differences centered on project allowances and added services.
- 25
Covidence
Free trial WebCovidence covers the main stages of systematic review work with screening controls, extraction assistance, and exports.
6.0 Visit site
#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price