Best Literature Review Software in 2026
Updated
In short: Rayyan is ranked #1 of 28 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of EviSynth and Elicit. The best-ranked option with a free plan is EviSynth. The lowest first paid tier on this page is INRA at $0.63/mo.
Research reviews can involve finding sources, screening them, and organizing evidence across a defined process. Compare discovery tools, screening workflow, evidence mapping, and systematic review tools to see which stages each entry addresses. Collaboration, full-text management, and citation import limits can also matter, particularly when coordinating work or handling references. Rayyan, EviSynth, and Elicit are among the entries, alongside RevMan and Bibliometrix. Litmaps, Abstrackr, and ASReview add further options to consider. Free-plan availability and paid-from pricing are also listed; weigh those alongside the features that match the way you plan to manage your review.
28 literature review software 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 Rayyan iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 9.6$4.99/mo Screening workflow: Yes
- 2 EviSynth iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 8.4Free Screening workflow: Yes
- 3 Elicit No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 8.0$11/mo
- 4 CADIMA No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.9Free Screening workflow: YesFull-text management: Yes
- 5 Buhos No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.7 Discovery tools: searchScreening workflow: YesFull-text management: Yes
- 6 ASReview No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.7Free Discovery tools: recommendationsScreening workflow: YesFull-text management: No
- 7 PICO Portal No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.2 Screening workflow: Yes
- 8 INRA No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.0$0.63/mo Screening workflow: Yes
- 9 EPPI-Reviewer No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.0£10/mo Screening workflow: Yes
- 10 Synthesis No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.9 Discovery tools: searchScreening workflow: YesFull-text management: Yes
- 11 Abstrackr No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.8Free Screening workflow: Yes
- 12 RevMan No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.8£6.67/mo Screening workflow: No
- 13 Litmaps No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.6$10/mo Discovery tools: search_and_recommendationsScreening workflow: YesFull-text management: Yes
- 14 Bibliometrix No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.5Free Discovery tools: searchFull-text management: Yes
- 15 ResearchRabbit No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.3$0.83/mo Discovery tools: search_and_recommendationsScreening workflow: NoFull-text management: No
- 16 Sysrev No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.2 Screening workflow: Yes
- 17 SWIFT-Active Screener No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.1 Screening workflow: Yes
- 18 Nested Knowledge No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.9 Screening workflow: Yes
- 19 Covidence No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.8 Screening workflow: Yes
- 20 Colandr No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.8 Screening workflow: Yes
- 21 JBI SUMARI No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.6 Screening workflow: Yes
- 22 LASER AI No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3 Screening workflow: Yes
- 23 SWIFT-Review No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3 Screening workflow: Yes
- 24 Open Knowledge Maps No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3 Discovery tools: searchScreening workflow: NoFull-text management: Yes
- 25 VOSviewer No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.1 Discovery tools: search
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 literature review software is ranked first on Samsung Mobile US Press?
Rayyan is ranked #1 of 28 with a score of 9.6. EviSynth is second and Elicit third.
How many of these have a free plan?
10 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, INRA has the lowest first paid tier we found: $0.63/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.