Best Scopus Alternatives in 2026
Updated
20 platforms from academic research databases ranked against Scopus on the same published basis.
- 1Scopus vs CORE
- 2Scopus vs MAXQDA
- 3Scopus vs The Lens
- 4Scopus vs EconLit
- 5Scopus vs JSTOR
- 6Scopus vs OpenAlex
- 7Scopus vs Europe PMC
- 8Scopus vs AGRICOLA
- 9Scopus vs APA PsycInfo
- 10Scopus vs arXiv
- 11Scopus vs Dimensions
- 12Scopus vs PubMed
- 13Scopus vs SSRN
- 14Scopus vs Embase AI
- 15Scopus vs ERIC
- 16Scopus vs Directory of Open Access Journals
- 17Scopus vs ProQuest Central
- 18Scopus vs Inspec
- 19Scopus vs Web of Science
- 20Scopus vs CAB Abstracts
Scopus alternatives compared
| # | Platform | Score | Free plan | From | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CORE | 7.7 | Free plan | Free | API, Browser, Web |
| 2 | MAXQDA | 7.7 | No | — | Mac, Windows |
| 3 | The Lens | 7.7 | Free plan | $83.33/mo | API, Web |
| 4 | EconLit | 7.6 | Free plan | Free | Web |
| 5 | JSTOR | 7.1 | Free plan | $16.58/mo | Android, iOS, Web |
| 6 | OpenAlex | 7.1 | Free plan | $416.67/mo | API, Browser, self-hosted, Web |
| 7 | Europe PMC | 7.0 | Free plan | Free | API, Web |
| 8 | AGRICOLA | 6.8 | Free plan | Free | Web |
| 9 | APA PsycInfo | 6.8 | No | $14.08/mo | Web |
| 10 | arXiv | 6.8 | Free plan | Free | API, Web |
| 11 | Dimensions | 6.8 | Free plan | Free | Web |
| 12 | PubMed | 6.8 | Free plan | Free | API, Web |
| 13 | SSRN | 6.7 | Free plan | Free | Web |
| 14 | Embase AI | 6.6 | No | — | Android, iOS, Mac, Web, Windows |
| 15 | ERIC | 6.5 | No | — | API, Web |
| 16 | Directory of Open Access Journals | 6.4 | No | — | API, Web |
| 17 | ProQuest Central | 6.4 | No | — | Web |
| 18 | Inspec | 6.2 | No | — | API, Web |
| 19 | Web of Science | 6.2 | No | — | API, Web |
| 20 | CAB Abstracts | 6.0 | No | — | Web |
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Questions about Scopus alternatives
What is the best alternative to Scopus?
CORE, number 1 in academic research databases with a score of 7.7 out of 10. The others here: MAXQDA, The Lens, EconLit and 16 more.
What is the best free alternative to Scopus?
CORE is the best-ranked alternative with a free plan. 11 of the 20 alternatives here publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
How are these alternatives ranked?
Ranked on how quickly a newcomer can get going: documentation depth, a free tier or trial, and the platforms it runs on.