Best Scopus Alternatives in 2026
Updated
20 apps from academic research databases ranked against Scopus on the same published basis.
- 1Scopus vs JSTOR
- 2Scopus vs Academia.edu
- 3Scopus vs Project MUSE
- 4Scopus vs Embase AI
- 5Scopus vs Academic Search Ultimate
- 6Scopus vs CORE
- 7Scopus vs The Lens
- 8Scopus vs AGRICOLA
- 9Scopus vs arXiv
- 10Scopus vs bioRxiv
- 11Scopus vs EconLit
- 12Scopus vs Europe PMC
- 13Scopus vs MAXQDA
- 14Scopus vs medRxiv
- 15Scopus vs OpenAlex
- 16Scopus vs PubMed
- 17Scopus vs SSRN
- 18Scopus vs zbMATH Open
- 19Scopus vs HeinOnline
- 21Scopus vs Dimensions
Scopus alternatives compared
| # | App | Score | Free plan | From | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | JSTOR | 7.9 | Free plan | $16.58/mo | Android, iOS, Web |
| 2 | Academia.edu | 7.8 | Free plan | Free | Android, iOS, Web |
| 3 | Project MUSE | 7.2 | $174.58/mo | Android, iOS, Web | |
| 4 | Embase AI | 7.1 | Android, iOS, Mac, Web, Windows | ||
| 5 | Academic Search Ultimate | 7.0 | Android, iOS, Web | ||
| 6 | CORE | 6.4 | Free plan | Free | API, Browser, Web |
| 7 | The Lens | 6.4 | Free plan | $83.33/mo | API, Web |
| 8 | AGRICOLA | 6.3 | Free plan | Free | Web |
| 9 | arXiv | 6.3 | Free plan | Free | API, Web |
| 10 | bioRxiv | 6.3 | Free plan | Free | API, Web |
| 11 | EconLit | 6.3 | Free plan | Free | Web |
| 12 | Europe PMC | 6.3 | Free plan | Free | API, Web |
| 13 | MAXQDA | 6.3 | Mac, Windows | ||
| 14 | medRxiv | 6.3 | Free plan | Free | API, Web |
| 15 | OpenAlex | 6.3 | Free plan | $416.67/mo | API, Browser, self-hosted, Web |
| 16 | PubMed | 6.3 | Free plan | Free | API, Web |
| 17 | SSRN | 6.3 | Free plan | Free | Web |
| 18 | zbMATH Open | 6.3 | Free plan | Free | API, Web |
| 19 | HeinOnline | 6.2 | Free plan | Free | Web |
| 21 | Dimensions | 6.1 | Free plan | Free | Web |
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Questions about Scopus alternatives
What is the best alternative to Scopus?
JSTOR, number 1 in academic research databases with a score of 7.9 out of 10. The others here: Academia.edu, Project MUSE, Embase AI and 16 more.
What is the best free alternative to Scopus?
JSTOR is the best-ranked alternative with a free plan. 16 of the 20 alternatives here publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
How are these alternatives ranked?
Ranked mobile-first: a phone app alongside the web or desktop product, a free tier and the depth of its documentation.