Is Semantic Scholar free?

Yes, Semantic Scholar is completely free for all users, including full API access for developers. It is operated by the non-profit Allen Institute for AI.

What are the main features of Semantic Scholar?

Semantic Scholar offers 200M+ indexed papers, AI TLDR summaries, citation analysis, personalized Research Feeds, Semantic Reader AI, and a free open API.

What platforms is Semantic Scholar available on?

Semantic Scholar is available on the web and through its free open API for integration into research tools and applications.

Semantic Scholar

AI-powered academic research paper search engine

4.6(5,200)

Freeresearch

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Overview

Semantic Scholar is a free AI-powered academic search engine developed by the Allen Institute for AI. It indexes over 200 million papers across all fields of science and uses AI to extract key findings, generate paper summaries (TLDR), identify influential citations, and surface the most relevant research. Its Semantic Reader feature provides AI-enhanced paper reading with inline definitions and related work.

Get Started 100% Free

Pricing Details

Completely free for all users, including API access.

Latest Model

Semantic Scholar AI

How to Use Semantic Scholar

Visit semanticscholar.org and enter your research query

Browse AI-ranked search results with TLDR summaries

Use filters to narrow by field, date, and citation count

Create a Research Feed for personalized paper recommendations

Use Semantic Reader for AI-enhanced paper reading

Get Started with Semantic ScholarNo credit card required

Key Features

200M+ indexed papers

AI-generated TLDR summaries

Citation context analysis

Research Feed personalization

Semantic Reader AI

Influence and citation graphs

Open API access

Use Cases

Academic literature reviewFinding relevant research papersTracking research trendsCitation analysisStaying current in a research field

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The Good & The Bad

Pros

Completely free including API
AI summaries save significant time
Excellent citation analysis

Cons

Focused on academic papers only
Some niche fields have limited coverage
TLDR summaries can miss nuance

At a Glance

Best For

Researchers and academics who need AI-powered search and analysis of scientific literature

Free Trial

Completely free with no limitations

Mobile App

Web only, responsive design

API Access

Free and open API with generous rate limits

Team Features

Individual use â€” Research Feed and library for personal use

Last Updated

2026-02

Security & Privacy

Non-profit operated
Open data policies

Supported Languages

English

Available Platforms

WebAPI

Journey

Nov 1, 2015

Semantic Scholar launched

Semantic Scholar was released to the public, marking its official debut in the AI landscape.

Feb 1, 2026

Latest version

Semantic Scholar AI

Feb 26, 2026

Last reviewed

Our team verified Semantic Scholar's pricing, features, and capabilities to ensure accuracy.

Semantic Scholar in Action

Start Using Semantic Scholar Today

Semantic Scholar is completely free. Get started in seconds.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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