VOSviewer is free software for building and viewing bibliometric networks, including networks of terms found together in scientific literature. It maps citation, bibliographic coupling, co-citation and co-authorship relationships using data from services such as Web of Science, Scopus, Dimensions, Lens, PubMed, Crossref, Europe PMC, OpenAlex, Semantic Scholar, OpenCitations and WikiData. Analysis tools include network layout and clustering, English-language text mining, fractional counting and thesaurus-based data cleaning. Views include density and overlay options, zooming and scrolling; screenshots can be saved in high-resolution bitmap or vector formats. The browser-based VOSviewer Online opens JSON, map and network files, and shares visualizations via links, QR codes or embeddable HTML. The standalone version can share through Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive and Dropbox. Builds are available for Windows and macOS, while other systems can use a JAR file; running the software requires Java 8 or higher. Online is integrated with Digital Science’s Dimensions platform. The maker describes its analyses as supporting strategic decisions at research institutions and funders.
Who it is for
It suits researchers and research organizations examining publication networks, as well as funders using such analyses to support strategic decisions. The browser version is an option for people who want to share interactive visualizations.
What is good
- Free to use for any purpose.
- Supports citation and co-authorship network types.
- Accepts data from numerous research sources.
- Exports high-resolution bitmap or vector screenshots.
- Online sharing includes links, QR codes and embeds.
What to know first
- The standalone software requires Java 8 or higher.
- Other-systems builds run as a JAR file.
- The maker reports a malicious Windows download was available during a stated August 31 window; its investigation is ongoing.
Verdict
VOSviewer brings network mapping, text mining and sharing options together for bibliometric work, with a free plan. Check the Java requirement for standalone use and note the maker’s security notice about the August 31 Windows download.
VOSviewer plans and pricing
All plansCompared on literature review software
- Free plan
- Yes
- Discovery tools
- search
