ASReview vs LitKernel
ASReview
asreview.nlLitKernel
litkernel.comSide by side
| Figure | ASReview | LitKernel |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $9/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 2 | 4 |
| Spec score · AI Literature Review Software | 9.0 (#1) | 8.6 (#3) |
| Integrations | The site describes compatibility with EndNote, PubMed, and other reference managers, and says RIS files can be imported and exported. | Terms name Auth0, Google Gemini, Google Scholar, Elsevier, OpenAlex and Heap as integrated third-party services. |
| Self-hosting | ASReview can run locally, on a server or cloud instance, and through Docker. | The product is presented as a hosted web service and no self-hosting package is documented. |
| What it does | ASReview uses active learning to reorder large collections of textual records so likely-relevant items appear earlier during systematic-review screening. | LitKernel is a web workspace combining paper discovery, AI screening, structured notes, gap analysis, manuscript drafting, research planning and slide presentations. |
Plans
In their own words
ASReview
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.