Best forFree academic search and paper discovery
THE SIMPLE VERSION
What is Semantic Scholar?
Semantic Scholar provides scholarly search, citation and reference trails, AI-generated TLDR summaries, recommendations, saved libraries and research feeds without requiring a paid subscription. Free scholarly search and recommendations. The current category review rates the workflow as easy for a beginner.
✓ A good fit if you want to…
- Need free academic search and paper discovery
- Want free scholarly search and recommendations
- Can verify the final evidence
– Choose another tool if you…
- Need guaranteed results without review
- Will add confidential or unlicensed material
- Cannot verify the current plan and conditions
YOUR FIRST 10 MINUTES
Start in three steps
- 1Write one precise questionDefine the date range, evidence type and decision you need.
- 2Open every important sourceConfirm that the source really supports the generated claim.
- 3Record uncertaintyKeep dates, citations and disagreements visible in the final answer.
TRY THIS FIRST PROMPT
Research [question] using current primary sources. Separate evidence from inference, show dates and give direct links for every important claim.
POPULAR USES
What can it help with?
PLANS
Free or paid?
Use the listed starting route for one realistic test.
Best for a first real test.Confirm current limits, exports and usage rights before checkout.
Best for regular individual use.Check team, privacy, governance and support terms directly.
Best for heavier or team use.✓Free is enough if…Free
+Consider paid if…Open the official product page and confirm the current plan, limits and licence for your exact use before paying.
Access, prices, limits and licences were checked for the category review on 24 August 2026 and can change by plan, account and location.
GOOD TO KNOW
Safety and privacy
A citation is not proof
Coverage, metadata and full-text access differ by publisher and subject; book coverage is limited and patents are excluded. Treat TLDR and influence labels as triage, then verify the DOI and complete paper.
Protect private material
Searches, uploaded papers and saved libraries can reveal private work. Remove confidential material and use an approved workspace.
Keep human control
Open the evidence, verify dates and keep uncertainty visible.
STILL CHOOSING?See the important differences side by side.
OFFICIAL EVIDENCE
Sources and freshness
We use official product and help pages for plan, access and privacy claims.
- Product and core workflow
- Free, trial and paid access
- Source access, citations and evidence safeguards