Best Literature Review Software in 2026
Updated
A literature review may call for finding sources, screening studies, and keeping evidence organized throughout the process. Compare discovery tools, screening workflow, evidence mapping, and systematic review tools, then look at collaboration, full-text management, and citation import limits. RevMan, Elicit, and Rayyan are among the software options, with Bibliometrix and ASReview also worth considering against your needs. If you are working with others or handling many citations, those details may matter to your choice. Free-plan availability and paid-from pricing offer additional comparison points. Focus on the review stages where you need support, and check which listed capabilities fit your process.
28ranked
17free plans on this page
$0.83/molowest paid tier
9 Oct 2026last checked
Literature Review Software, ranked on how quickly a newcomer can get going.22 of 22 products with recorded free access can be tried for free.
- 1 RevManPaid from £6.67/mo
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: yes
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 2 ElicitPaid from $11/mo
- Free to practise on: yes
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: no
- 3 RayyanPaid from $4.99/mo
- Free to practise on: yes
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 4 Synthesis
- Free trial: yes
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 5 VOSviewerFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 6 BibliometrixFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 7 ASReviewFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: no
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 8 LitmapsPaid from $10/mo
- Free to practise on: yes
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: no
- 9 ResearchRabbitPaid from $0.83/mo
- Free to practise on: yes
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: no
- 10 SWIFT-ReviewFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: no
- 11 CADIMAFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: no
- 12 EPPI-ReviewerPaid from £10/mo
- Free trial: yes
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: no
- 13 IncitefulFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: no
- 14 Lit Mind MapsPaid from $15/mo
- Free to practise on: yes
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: no
- 15 LitMapPaid from €5/mo
- Free to practise on: yes
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: no
- 16 Nested KnowledgePaid from $19.95/mo
- Free trial: yes
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: no
- 17 SysrevPaid from $50/mo
- Free to practise on: yes
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: no
- 18 AbstrackrFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: no
- 19 ColandrFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: no
- 20 EviSynthFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: no
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 21 Buhos
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 22 CovidencePaid from $28.25/mo
- Free to practise on: no
- Free trial: yes
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: no
- 23 JBI SUMARIPaid from $10.83/mo
- Free to practise on: no
- Free trial: yes
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: no
- 24 Open Knowledge MapsPaid from €40/mo
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: no
- 25 INRAPaid from $7.50/mo
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: no
Compare all 25 in a table
| # | Platform | Score | Free plan | From | Free plan | Paid from | Discovery tools | Screening workflow |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | RevMan | 7.9 | Free plan | £6.67/mo | Yes | No | ||
| 2 | Elicit | 7.2 | Free plan | $11/mo | Yes | 11 /user/mo | ||
| 3 | Rayyan | 7.2 | Free plan | $4.99/mo | Yes | Yes | ||
| 4 | Synthesis | 7.2 | search | Yes | ||||
| 5 | VOSviewer | 7.2 | Free plan | Free | Yes | search | ||
| 6 | Bibliometrix | 7.1 | Free plan | Free | Yes | search | ||
| 7 | ASReview | 7.0 | Free plan | Free | Yes | recommendations | Yes | |
| 8 | Litmaps | 7.0 | Free plan | $10/mo | Yes | search_and_recommendations | Yes | |
| 9 | ResearchRabbit | 7.0 | Free plan | $0.83/mo | Yes | search_and_recommendations | No | |
| 10 | SWIFT-Review | 7.0 | Free plan | Free | Yes | Yes | ||
| 11 | CADIMA | 6.9 | Free plan | Free | Yes | Yes | ||
| 12 | EPPI-Reviewer | 6.9 | £10/mo | No | Yes | |||
| 13 | Inciteful | 6.9 | Free plan | Free | Yes | search_and_recommendations | No | |
| 14 | Lit Mind Maps | 6.9 | Free plan | $15/mo | Yes | search | No | |
| 15 | LitMap | 6.9 | Free plan | €5/mo | Yes | |||
| 16 | Nested Knowledge | 6.9 | $19.95/mo | No | Yes | |||
| 17 | Sysrev | 6.9 | Free plan | $50/mo | Yes | Yes | ||
| 18 | Abstrackr | 6.8 | Free plan | Free | Yes | Yes | ||
| 19 | Colandr | 6.8 | Free plan | Free | Yes | Yes | ||
| 20 | EviSynth | 6.8 | Free plan | Free | Yes | Yes | ||
| 21 | Buhos | 6.7 | Yes | search | Yes | |||
| 22 | Covidence | 6.6 | No | $28.25/mo | No | Yes | ||
| 23 | JBI SUMARI | 6.6 | No | $10.83/mo | No | Yes | ||
| 24 | Open Knowledge Maps | 6.5 | €40/mo | Yes | search | No | ||
| 25 | INRA | 6.2 | $7.50/mo | Yes | 7.5 /user/mo | Yes |
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