Research assistants
Consensus: review, pricing, data and alternatives
Consensus searches scientific publications and synthesizes findings from multiple studies. It serves people who want to filter papers by method, organize references or export results to a reference manager. A free tier exists; the first paid plan costs $144 per year. Access and transparency score: 81/100, #1 of 15 in its category.
What is Consensus?
Consensus searches scientific publications and synthesizes findings from multiple studies. It serves people who want to filter papers by method, organize references or export results to a reference manager.
According to its documentation, Consensus lets you:
- search for scientific publications
- synthesize findings from multiple studies
- filter papers by their method
- organize a reference library
- export results to a reference manager
We file it under Research assistants, the category of tools to find, read and summarise papers, and it also overlaps with aI search engines. The category lists 15 verified tools on this site.
The publisher is Consensus NLP, Inc., based in United States. The service launched in 2022, which gives it some track record.
Who is it for?
It is mostly useful to these profiles: researchers, students, teachers, and healthcare professionals. The need it covers is simple to state: find, read and summarise papers.
Consensus 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 also work from your phone
Before deciding, run a trial on a real task and measure the time saved: it is the only criterion that really counts.
How much does Consensus cost?
Pricing model: freemium (limited free use, then paid). A free plan is offered, usually limited in volume or features.
The first paid plan costs $144 per year (Pro, billed annually, equivalent to USD 12 per month; USD 20 with monthly billing), according to the pricing page, checked on October 24, 2026.
Per month, that is close to the category median ($12 per month, based on tools with a published price).
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 in the United States.
For professional use, check that a data processing agreement (DPA) is offered, and do not send customers' personal data or confidential documents without one.
Exporting your content: yes (details on the official site). 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
Consensus runs on: web browser, iPhone and iPad, Android, and API.
Interface languages: English.
A public API lets you call it from your own programs or an automation tool, and plug it into an AI agent.
How we scored it
Our 81/100 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 | 25/30 | free tier, published price, French interface |
| Openness | 20/30 | API, data export, open code |
| Trust | 36/40 | identified publisher, declared hosting, age, presence in reference lists |
The full calculation is explained on our method page.
Comparison with alternatives
Consensus against other tools in the research assistants category:
Verdict
Consensus is among the most accessible and transparent tools in its category.
Strengths
- Free tier to try it
- Public API
- Established since 2022
- Available on many platforms
Avoid if…
- You handle sensitive personal data without a processing agreement
Alternatives
Categories and jobs
Learn more
Frequently asked questions
Is Consensus free?
Yes, a free plan exists, with usage limits. The first paid plan costs $144 per year.
Where is Consensus data stored?
According to the publisher, in the United States.
Does Consensus have an API?
Yes, a public API is documented.
What are the alternatives to Consensus?
In the same category: AMiner, ASReview, Elicit, and Ai2 Asta.
Consensus or AMiner: which one to choose?
Consensus starts at $144 per year, AMiner at CN¥0.01 pay as you go and our score is 81/100 for Consensus and 78/100 for AMiner. Try both on the same task before paying.
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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