Tool category
Research & knowledge
Source-backed answers, academic literature and your own knowledge bases.
Research AI answers questions with source citations instead of just spitting out a list of links. That saves time and makes results verifiable. For quick answers the free versions are enough; deep, multi-step research with a long report is offered by the premium tiers.
How do I choose the right tool?
- For quick questions with sources, the free version is enough.
- If you want to query your own documents, pick a tool with file upload.
- For deep analyses, a "Deep Research" feature is worth it.
- Always verify important facts at the cited original source.
Best free tools
Permanently usable free tier – try it at no cost.
- 1
PerplexityPerplexity AI
Answers with cited sources, focus modes (web, academic), threads
Fact research, Collecting sources, News overview
Free (3 Pro searches/day)Free tierOpen - 2
Gemini NotebookGoogle
Upload and query your own sources, audio summaries (podcast style), mind maps – formerly NotebookLM
Analysing studies, Study materials, Meeting dossiers, Audio overviews
FreeFree tierOpen - 3
Google Gemini (Deep Research)Google
Deep Research produces multi-page research reports with sources – usable without a subscription within standard limits
Market overviews, Collecting sources, Getting up to speed
Free (limits)Free tierOpen - 4
ChatGPT SearchOpenAI
Web search with sources right in the chat, follow-up questions possible
Current info, Comparisons, Quick source checks
Free (limits)Free tierOpen - 5
Elicit (Free)Elicit
Finds & extracts insights from scientific papers into tables
Literature screening, Paper comparison, Sharpening research questions
Free (limited)Free tierOpen - 6
Consensus (Free)Consensus
Answers questions based on studies incl. a consensus meter
Evidence checks, Science-based health questions, Summarising the state of research
Free (limited)Free tierOpen
Best premium tools
Monthly prices as entry and maximum plan (approximate).
- 1
Perplexity Pro/MaxPerplexity AI
Unlimited Pro searches, Deep Research, file analysis, Labs reports
Market research, Due diligence, Competitive analyses
From 20 $Max 200 $/moOpen - 2
ChatGPT Plus/Pro (Deep Research)OpenAI
Multi-step autonomous research with detailed, cited reports
Deep analyses, Strategy dossiers, Competitor research
From 20 $Max 500 $/moOpen - 3
Gemini Deep Research (AI Pro)Google
Research agent creates structured reports, export to Docs
Topic reports, Research in Workspace, Source dossiers
From 21,99 €Max 219,99 €/moOpen - 4
Elicit Plus/ProElicit
More extractions, systematic reviews, export (CSV/RIS)
Systematic reviews, Data extraction from papers, Evidence tables
From 11 $Max 169 $/moOpen - 5
Consensus PremiumConsensus
Unlimited AI answers, study snapshots, lists & export
Academic work, Evidence-based articles, Literature snapshots
From approx. 9 $Max approx. 12 $/moOpen - 6
SciteScite
Shows whether studies are supported or contrasted (Smart Citations)
Citation checks, Assessing source quality, References for papers
From 20 $Max 50 $/moOpen
Matching guides & automations
Validate a business idea and launch your online presence
From market research through branding to a finished website with first content.
Create a search-engine-optimised blog article
From topic research through fact-checking and text to matching images and publishing.
Study effectively for an exam
From summarising the materials through flashcards and a quiz to an AI tutor.
Chat with your documents (knowledge base)
Your own PDFs, notes and files become a searchable AI assistant that answers with source references. No more digging through old files.
Use AI offline on your phone (local LLM)
Run a small AI model directly on your smartphone – no internet, no account, no subscription. Your inputs never leave the device.
Research agent: topic → briefing + sources
Enter a topic and get a structured briefing with current sources back – instead of digging through ten tabs yourself.