Research assistants
Paper Digest: review, pricing, data and alternatives
Paper Digest supports people searching for scientific publications and preparing literature reviews. It lets users question PDF documents, compare papers in a table and receive updates on new articles. A free tier exists; the first paid plan costs $79.9 per year. Access and transparency score: 48/100, #11 of 15 in its category.
What is Paper Digest?
Paper Digest supports people searching for scientific publications and preparing literature reviews. It lets users question PDF documents, compare papers in a table and receive updates on new articles.
According to its documentation, Paper Digest lets you:
- search for scientific publications
- produce a literature review
- receive updates on new papers
- ask questions about PDF documents
- compare papers in a table
- export reports and references
We file it under Research assistants, the category of tools to find, read and summarise papers, and it also overlaps with aI summarisers and aI for documents and PDFs. The category lists 15 verified tools on this site.
The service launched in 2018, which gives it some track record.
Who is it for?
It is mostly useful to these profiles: researchers, students, and teachers. The need it covers is simple to state: find, read and summarise papers.
Paper Digest is a good candidate if:
- you want to try before paying
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 Paper Digest 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 $79.9 per year (Annual subscription, listed equivalent of USD 6.66 per month; monthly subscription at USD 10.99), according to the pricing page, checked on October 24, 2026.
Per month, that is cheaper than 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
The publisher does not clearly state where data is hosted. Assume your content may leave your region.
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: RIS et Markdown. 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
Paper Digest runs on: web browser.
Interface languages: English.
API availability is not documented.
How we scored it
Our 48/100 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 | 10/30 | API, data export, open code |
| Trust | 13/40 | identified publisher, declared hosting, age, presence in reference lists |
The full calculation is explained on our method page.
Comparison with alternatives
Paper Digest against other tools in the research assistants category:
Verdict
Paper Digest publishes little verifiable information: look at the better-scored alternatives first.
Strengths
- Free tier to try it
- Cheaper than its category median
- Established since 2018
Limitations
- Data hosting not disclosed
Avoid if…
- You handle sensitive personal data without a processing agreement
Alternatives
Categories and jobs
Learn more
Frequently asked questions
Is Paper Digest free?
Yes, a free plan exists, with usage limits. The first paid plan costs $79.9 per year.
Where is Paper Digest data stored?
The publisher does not clearly say so in its public documentation.
Does Paper Digest have an API?
It is not documented.
What are the alternatives to Paper Digest?
In the same category: Consensus, AMiner, ASReview, and Elicit.
Paper Digest or Consensus: which one to choose?
Paper Digest starts at $79.9 per year, Consensus at $144 per year and our score is 48/100 for Paper Digest and 81/100 for Consensus. 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