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LitFlow

litflow.org

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Spec score 7.9 #18 of 38 in AI Literature Review Software

What it is

LitFlow is an AI-augmented workspace for systematic literature reviews, covering search, screening, extraction, synthesis, and reporting. Search includes database queries, snowballing, and AI-generated synonyms. For each record, AI proposes per-criterion verdicts with confidence scores, explanations, and links to source passages, while researchers make the decisions. Custom extraction schemas can receive LLM pre-fill with source links, and a qualitative coding board supports thematic structure. Reports include PRISMA information, Cohen’s κ, and an audit trail in a publication-ready methods report. AI suggestions and human decisions are logged with timestamps, actors, and rationales. Users can bring keys for Gemini, Claude, OpenAI, or Mistral, or use open-source models hosted by the University of Münster. The closed alpha runs on University of Münster infrastructure in the EU under GDPR, with pseudonymised personal data in research outputs. Operated by the university’s LitFlow research project in Münster, it is free for academic use, requires maintainer approval, and has no commercial tier listed.

Spec sheet

Purpose
LitFlow is an AI-augmented systematic literature review workspace covering search, screening, extraction, synthesis, and reporting.Read 8 Oct 2026 · litflow.org
Headquarters
Münster, GermanyRead 28 Sep 2026 · litflow.org
Founded
2025Read 28 Sep 2026 · litflow.org
Maker
The website is operated by the LitFlow research project at the University of Münster, a public-law body in Münster, Germany.Read 8 Oct 2026 · litflow.org
AI providers
Users can bring their own keys for Gemini, Claude, OpenAI, or Mistral, or use open-source models hosted by the University of Münster.Read 8 Oct 2026 · litflow.org
AI screening
For each record, AI proposes per-criterion verdicts with confidence scores, justifications, and links to source passages, while the researcher makes the decisions.Read 8 Oct 2026 · litflow.org
Audit trail
AI suggestions and human decisions are logged with timestamps, actors, and rationales.Read 8 Oct 2026 · litflow.org
Availability
LitFlow is in closed alpha, and maintainers approve new cohort members.Read 8 Oct 2026 · litflow.org
Data protection
The maker says the hosted instance runs on EU infrastructure under GDPR and personal data is pseudonymised in research outputs.Read 8 Oct 2026 · litflow.org
Extraction and synthesis
The workflow includes custom extraction schemas with LLM pre-fill and source links, plus a qualitative coding board for thematic structure.Read 8 Oct 2026 · litflow.org
Hosting
The closed alpha runs on University of Münster infrastructure in the EU, and an open-core release is planned for institutional self-hosting.Read 8 Oct 2026 · litflow.org
Integration roadmap
OSF and Zenodo integration are listed as features under consideration.Read 8 Oct 2026 · litflow.org
Reporting
LitFlow reports PRISMA information, Cohen’s κ, and an audit trail in a publication-ready methods report.Read 8 Oct 2026 · litflow.org
Search
Search features include database search, snowballing, and AI-generated synonyms.Read 8 Oct 2026 · litflow.org
Support and participation
The project invites users to contact the team, propose features, contribute code, and join evaluation activities.Read 8 Oct 2026 · litflow.org
Target users
LitFlow is rooted in information systems research and says its workflow is used across medicine, software engineering, and the social sciences.Read 8 Oct 2026 · litflow.org
Website privacy
The website privacy policy says it uses no cookies or tracking or analytics technologies, and its server logs retain shortened IP addresses for at most seven days.Read 8 Oct 2026 · litflow.org

Plans and prices

Academic use Free Free for academic use · closed alpha; maintainer approval required · no commercial tier Read 8 Oct 2026 · litflow.org

Every LitFlow plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Covers the review workflow
  • AI suggestions include source links
  • Researchers retain decision control
  • Publication-ready methods reporting
  • EU infrastructure under GDPR

Limits

  • Closed alpha availability
  • Maintainer approval required
  • No commercial tier listed
  • OSF and Zenodo integrations are only under consideration

Who it suits

LitFlow suits academic researchers conducting systematic reviews in medicine, software engineering, social sciences, and related fields. It fits teams needing documented screening decisions, extraction, synthesis, and reporting.

Verdict

LitFlow combines review workflow tools with traceable AI assistance and structured reporting. Its closed-alpha status, academic-use restriction, and approval requirement define current availability.

Where Specifiction places it

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