Research assistants
ASReview: review, pricing, data and alternatives
ASReview helps researchers screen literature by ranking publications according to their likely relevance. It learns from researchers’ decisions, simulates screening processes and allows comparisons of the performance of multiple models. A free tier exists. Access and transparency score: 78/100, #3 of 15 in its category.
| Access | 15/30 | |
|---|---|---|
| Openness | 30/30 | |
| Trust | 33/40 |
What is ASReview?
ASReview helps researchers screen literature by ranking publications according to their likely relevance. It learns from researchers’ decisions, simulates screening processes and allows comparisons of the performance of multiple models.
According to its documentation, ASReview lets you:
- rank publications by their likely relevance
- learn from the researcher’s decisions
- simulate a literature screening process
- compare the performance of multiple models
- export a project to continue the review on another computer
We file it under Research assistants, the category of tools to find, read and summarise papers, and it also overlaps with data science and machine learning. The category lists 15 verified tools on this site.
The publisher is Utrecht University, based in Netherlands. The service launched in 2019, which gives it some track record.
Who is it for?
It is mostly useful to these profiles: researchers, students, and data analysts. The need it covers is simple to state: find, read and summarise papers.
ASReview is a good candidate if:
- you want to try before paying
- you plan to connect it to your tools or automations through its API
- you must keep your data in Europe or on your own machine
- you want to read the code or host it yourself
The best test is a concrete case from your daily work: if the tool does not beat your current method within a week, move on to an alternative.
How much does ASReview cost?
Pricing model: open source (public code). Basic use costs nothing.
To estimate what the same work would cost done directly with an AI model, use our API price calculator. Prices change often: always check the official site before subscribing.
Data and privacy
According to its privacy policy, data is processed on your device (local processing).
Local processing is the most favourable case: your files do not leave your machine for the features concerned.
Exporting your content: .asreview. Being able to get your data back makes switching tools easier later.
Three habits apply to every AI tool:
- turn off the use of your content for training if the option exists
- use a work account separate from your personal account
- review everything the tool produces before publishing or sending it
Platforms, languages and API
ASReview runs on: web browser, Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Interface languages are not specified.
A public API lets you call it from your own programs or an automation tool, and plug it into an AI agent.
The source code is public: asreviewasreview/asreview.
How we scored it
Our 78/100 score does not judge output quality: it measures what can be publicly verified about access to the tool, its openness and how far the publisher can be trusted.
| Criterion | Points | What counts |
|---|---|---|
| Access | 15/30 | free tier, published price, French interface |
| Openness | 30/30 | API, data export, open code |
| Trust | 33/40 | identified publisher, declared hosting, age, presence in reference lists |
The full calculation is explained on our method page.
Comparison with alternatives
ASReview against other tools in the research assistants category:
Verdict
ASReview is among the most accessible and transparent tools in its category.
Strengths
- Free tier to try it
- Public API
- Public source code
- Local processing available
- Established since 2019
Alternatives
Categories and jobs
Learn more
Frequently asked questions
Is ASReview free?
Yes, a free plan exists, with usage limits.
Where is ASReview data stored?
According to the publisher, on your device (local processing).
Does ASReview have an API?
Yes, a public API is documented.
What are the alternatives to ASReview?
In the same category: Consensus, AMiner, Elicit, and Ai2 Asta.
ASReview or Consensus: which one to choose?
Our score is 78/100 for ASReview and 81/100 for Consensus. Try both on the same task before paying.
Related articles
- Creating videos with AI: what works todayOctober 10, 2026
- Generating images with AI: tools, pricing, and limitationsOctober 9, 2026
- How to use NotebookLM: a complete guideOctober 8, 2026
- Free ChatGPT alternatives: what they actually offerOctober 7, 2026
Neutrality. No affiliate links. No vendor pays to be reviewed, rated or ranked. Reviews are directed by François Chollet, neutral and factual, and every data point is dated and sourced. How we score