Best AI Research Assistants in 2026
Updated
In short: Perplexity is ranked #1 of 28 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of Consensus and Gab AI Research Assistant. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Consensus. The lowest first paid tier on this page is Innogath at $0.80/mo.
Finding useful evidence can involve discovering sources, reviewing files, and keeping citations in view. Compare Consensus, SciSpace, and Gemini Notebook on deep research mode, source access, and source citations, then consider file uploads and source limits for the material you work with. Team workspace is another point to weigh if research is shared. Free-plan availability and paid-from pricing can help you compare access and cost. The ranking starts with Consensus, SciSpace, and Gemini Notebook, followed by Perplexity and Kimi Deep Research. Use the listed features to judge which entries fit your research needs, whether that means exploring sources, working with uploaded files, or coordinating with others.
28 AI research assistants ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
Recognised 40% · Phone app 26% · Documented 20% · Free plan 14% of the score
- 1 Perplexity iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.9Free
- 2 Consensus iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.7$20/mo
- 3 Gab AI Research Assistant iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.7$16.67/mo Source citations: YesDeep research mode: YesSource access: web+files
- 4 Genspark Design iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.7$19.99/mo Source citations: YesDeep research mode: YesSource access: web
- 5 Liner iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.7$1.25/mo Source citations: YesDeep research mode: YesSource access: web+files
- 6 SciSpace iPhone only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.7$1/mo Source citations: YesDeep research mode: YesSource access: web+files+connectors
- 7 Kimi Deep Research iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.6Free Source citations: YesDeep research mode: YesSource access: web+files+connectors
- 8 Gemini Notebook iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.5$9.99/mo
- 9 Fabric iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.1$8/mo
- 10 Praxa iPhone only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.7 Source citations: YesDeep research mode: YesSource access: web+files+connectors
- 11 You.com iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.7Free
- 12 Elicit No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.3$11/mo Source citations: YesDeep research mode: YesSource access: web+files
- 13 Scholarly No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.2$1/mo Source citations: YesDeep research mode: YesSource access: web+files+connectors
- 14 Innogath No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.1$0.80/mo Source citations: YesDeep research mode: YesSource access: web+files
- 15 Scite No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.1$14/mo
- 16 Felo AI Research No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3 Source citations: YesDeep research mode: YesSource access: web+files+connectors
- 17 CLARA No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.2 Source citations: Yes
- 18 Embarke No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.2 Source citations: YesDeep research mode: YesSource access: web
- 19 Folio No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.2 Source citations: YesDeep research mode: YesSource access: web+files+connectors
- 20 General Evidence AI Research Agent No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.2 Source citations: YesDeep research mode: Yes
- 21 GPT Researcher No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.2 Source citations: YesDeep research mode: YesSource access: web+files+connectors
- 22 Local Deep Research No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.2 Source citations: YesDeep research mode: YesSource access: web+files+connectors
- 23 Primer No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.2 Source citations: YesDeep research mode: YesSource access: web+files+connectors
- 24 Iris.ai No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.1
- 25 LeapSpace No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.1 Source citations: YesDeep research mode: YesSource access: web+files
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which AI research assistant is ranked first on Samsung Mobile US Press?
Perplexity is ranked #1 of 28 with a score of 7.9. Consensus is second and Gab AI Research Assistant third.
How many of these have a free plan?
13 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, Innogath has the lowest first paid tier we found: $0.80/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked mobile-first: a phone app alongside the web or desktop product, a free tier and the depth of its documentation. Paid placements never change a rank.