Perplexity
Ask a question, get a clear answer with links to where the information came from.
Free · Pro $20/mo
A research assistant that finds relevant papers and pulls key findings into a tidy table.
Elicit
A research assistant that finds relevant papers and pulls key findings into a tidy table.
Literature reviews are slow, and Elicit is designed to speed up the dull parts. You ask a research question, it finds relevant academic papers, summarizes them and lets you extract details like sample size, methods or outcomes into a table.
We found the extraction table the real time-saver. Instead of skimming twenty PDFs to compare study designs, you add a column and Elicit fills it in, with quotes you can check. It's great for getting oriented in an unfamiliar field.
The free plan is fine for light use, and Plus at $12/mo adds more extractions and features. It's a starting point rather than a finished review, though: coverage varies by discipline, and extracted details should always be verified against the paper.
Best for: Researchers and grad students doing literature reviews
Scoping a literature review on a new topic
Comparing methods across multiple studies
Pulling outcomes from papers into a spreadsheet
Prices last checked Jun 8, 2025. Spotted an error? Let us know.
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A research assistant that finds relevant papers and pulls key findings into a tidy table. Best for researchers and grad students doing literature reviews.
Free · Plus $12/mo
Have a look at Perplexity, NotebookLM, Consensus and ChatGPT.
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