ASReview vs Buhos

ASReview is a free, open-source tool that uses AI-aided active learning to prioritize records for systematic review screening, with a human making screening decisions. Its site says the approach can reduce screening workload by up to 95%. Users can simulate AI-aided review to compare models, while Crowdscreen supports parallel screening with access managed by administrators through a private login system. The described model families are ELAS-Ultra, ELAS-Heavy, and language-agnostic ELAS-L; ELAS-Heavy and ELAS-L require the Dory package. ASReview works with reference managers including EndNote and PubMed, and imports and exports CSV, RIS, and XLSX files. Documentation includes a Python API, while the institutional workflow also describes a REST API and CLI for automation. In a local setup, data stays on the user's computer; server deployments keep it in the organization's environment and follow its policies. Support includes documentation, tutorials, videos, community discussion, and organizational workshops and consultancy. ASReview LAB costs nothing with no licensing fees or subscriptions, though running hardware or a server may incur costs.

Buhos is web-based software for conducting systematic literature reviews, with tools for reference screening, full-text management, collaboration, analysis and reporting. Reviews can be individual or group-based, with internal messaging for personal and review-related communication. The workflow has defined stages, but stages can be changed at any point. Buhos imports bibliographic records in formats including BibTeX, RIS, PubMed/NBIB, JSON and CSV, from sources such as WoS, Scopus, EBSCOhost, SciELO, PubMed, Lilacs and ProQuest. Crossref supports deduplication and reference information retrieval; Scopus and PubMed can supply missing abstracts and metadata when API credentials are available. A repository provides online viewing of PDF and ODF files. Other tools include customized forms, data analysis, reports and exports. English and Spanish are listed as available languages. Buhos runs on Linux, Windows and macOS; the project links to deployment guidance and API documentation. Its documentation says it fully supports the conducting phase of a review, partly supports report formatting, and omits some planning and reporting activities. Buhos is free.