Shortlist by what you need
Start here if you know why you are leaving Gatsbi.
Want the closest match?
ElicitMost similar to Gatsbi in what it does, its category and its price.
Visit (opens Elicit in a new tab)Need a free plan?
RayyanHas a free plan, rated 4.4 out of 5. Gatsbi has none.
Visit (opens Rayyan in a new tab)Want the lowest price?
LitmapsFrom $10/mo, the lowest starting price here.
Visit (opens Litmaps in a new tab)Want the best rated?
IncitefulRated 4.4 out of 5 in our review, against 3.6 for Gatsbi.
Visit (opens Inciteful in a new tab)
At a glance
Green means better than Gatsbi, red means worse. Prices are starting prices per month.
| Tool | Our rating | Starts at | Free plan | Best for | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 GatsbiBaseline | 3.6 | Not listed | No | Generates research topics, drafts papers with citations and automates systematic reviews. | |
| Elicit | 4.3+0.7 | $12/mo | YesGatsbi has none | Automates systematic review, extracting data into tables across many papers at once | vs Gatsbi |
| Rayyan | 4.4+0.8 | $10/mo | YesGatsbi has none | Built specifically for the systematic-review screening process, not general search | vs Gatsbi |
 SciSpace | 4.2+0.6 | $12/mo | YesGatsbi has none | Started as a journal-formatting tool, now a broader AI research assistant | vs Gatsbi |
 Outread | 3.9+0.3 | Not listed | No | Turns scientific, clinical, regulatory and patent literature into structured findings. | vs Gatsbi |
 PaperJet | 3.4−0.2 | Free | YesGatsbi has none | Searches the literature and drafts beside it on the same canvas. | vs Gatsbi |
| Litmaps | 4.4+0.8 | $10/mo | YesGatsbi has none | Citation mapping with ongoing alerts, not just a one-time snapshot | vs Gatsbi |
 Paperguide | 4.2+0.6 | $10/mo | YesGatsbi has none | Bundles search, review, full draft writing, and reference management in one platform | vs Gatsbi |
| Inciteful | 4.4+0.8 | Free | YesGatsbi has none | Free citation-graph tool that also shows how two specific papers connect | vs Gatsbi |
The alternatives in detail
In order of how closely each one matches Gatsbi.
Elicit
4.3$12/mo
vs Gatsbi+0.7Free plan
Automates systematic review, extracting data into tables across many papers at once.
- Structured data extraction into comparison tables across many papers at once
- Built specifically for systematic review and meta-analysis workflows
- Custom extraction fields defined by the user
Multi-paper table extraction addresses a genuinely labor-intensive research task
More extractions and features require a paid plan
Rayyan
4.4$10/mo
vs Gatsbi+0.8Free plan
Built specifically for the systematic-review screening process, not general search.
- Automatic duplicate detection across imported records
- Blind collaborative screening with decision reconciliation
- AI-assisted ranking that learns from reviewer decisions
Purpose-built for the specific, demanding task of systematic-review screening
Narrow focus on screening means it doesn't replace search or writing tools
SciSpace
4.2$12/mo
vs Gatsbi+0.6Free plan
Started as a journal-formatting tool, now a broader AI research assistant.
- Deep journal-formatting and citation-template capability from its Typeset.io origin
- AI-powered literature review and PDF chat across 280+ million papers
- Free tier for standard use
Combines AI research assistance with genuinely deep formatting capability
Broad feature set adds more surface area to learn than a single-purpose tool
Outread
3.9Not listed
vs Gatsbi+0.3
Turns scientific, clinical, regulatory and patent literature into structured findings.
- Scientific and clinical literature analysis
- Regulatory filing coverage
- Patent data included
Covers patents, the source most often skipped
Pricing page returns a 404 and entry is demo-led
PaperJet
3.4Free
vs Gatsbi−0.2Free plan
Searches the literature and drafts beside it on the same canvas.
- Single search across academic papers
- Libraries for organising gathered sources
- Canvas for drafting alongside the literature
Keeps the link between a source and the claim it supports
'All papers' coverage claims are never quite true
Litmaps
4.4$10/mo
vs Gatsbi+0.8Free plan
Citation mapping with ongoing alerts, not just a one-time snapshot.
- Visual citation mapping around a research topic or paper
- Ongoing alerts when new papers connect to a saved map
- Free tier for standard use
Ongoing alerts address literature that changes over a long project, not just a single search session
More maps and features require a paid plan
Paperguide
4.2$10/mo
vs Gatsbi+0.6Free plan
Bundles search, review, full draft writing, and reference management in one platform.
- AI search across 200+ million papers
- AI Writer generating full draft text grounded in user references
- Automated Deep Research Reports analyzing trends across a topic
AI Writer's full-draft generation goes further than most competitors' citation-only assistance
More features require a paid plan
Inciteful
4.4Free
vs Gatsbi+0.8Free plan
Free citation-graph tool that also shows how two specific papers connect.
- Citation-graph paper discovery around a starting paper
- Literature Connector showing the citation path between two specific papers
- Completely free to use
Literature Connector answers a genuinely different question than general graph tools
Interface is more utilitarian than polished consumer research tools
FAQ
Questions people ask
Is Gatsbi free?
Gatsbi does not list a free plan. Check its pricing page for current plans.
What is the best free alternative to Gatsbi?
Rayyan is the highest-rated alternative here with a free plan (4.4 out of 5). Other free options: Litmaps, Inciteful, Elicit.
What is the cheapest alternative to Gatsbi?
Among paid plans, Rayyan has the lowest starting price (from $10/mo). If you need it free, start with Rayyan.
How did you pick these alternatives?
We match tools on what they do, their category and their price, using the details in our directory. Ratings come from our reviews and reader reviews.