Best Academic Research Databases in 2026
Updated
30 academic research databases ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
30ranked
0free plans on this page
4 Oct 2026last checked
Recognised 40% · Phone app 26% · Documented 20% · Free plan 14% of the score
- 26 medRxiv No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.2 Full-text access: YesAdvanced search: YesSubject coverage: medical
- 27 HeinOnline No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.0
- 28 MathSciNet No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.0 Advanced search: Yes
- 29 ATLA Religion Database No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.0 Full-text access: NoAdvanced search: YesSubject coverage: humanities
- 30 Academia.edu No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.0 Full-text access: YesAdvanced search: YesSubject coverage: multidisciplinary
Compare all 5 in a table
| # | App | Score | Free plan | Free plan | Paid from | Full-text access | Advanced search |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | medRxiv | 5.2 | No | Yes | — | Yes | Yes |
| 27 | HeinOnline | 5.0 | No | — | — | — | — |
| 28 | MathSciNet | 5.0 | No | No | — | — | Yes |
| 29 | ATLA Religion Database | 5.0 | No | No | — | No | Yes |
| 30 | Academia.edu | 5.0 | No | Yes | — | Yes | Yes |