OpenAlex
7.9#2 in academic research databasesFrom $5,000 a yearFree planWebAPIExtensionLinux
VisitOpenAlex vs Semantic Scholar
Semantic Scholar
6.2#14 in research paper discovery toolsFree planFree planWebAPIExtension
VisitWhat both publish
| Fact | OpenAlex | Semantic Scholar |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | OpenAlex's transparency page says Impactstory incorporated in North Carolina in 2012. | 2015 |
| Support | Member includes community support, Member+ includes ticket-based help for critical API bugs, and Partner includes full ticket-based support for API and data issues. | The librarian resources page directs users to the FAQ, a Contact Us form, and tutorial videos for help. |
OpenAlex plans
- FreeFree
- Pay as you go$1, paid once
- Member$5,000 a year
- Member+$10,000 a year
- Partner$20,000 a year
Semantic Scholar plans
- FreeFree
Pick OpenAlex if…
OpenAlex suits researchers and developers who need a broad research catalog, API access, or bulk data downloads. Teams using its unsanitized external text fields should follow its guidance to escape output and apply OWASP XSS-prevention practices.
Pick Semantic Scholar if…
Semantic Scholar suits readers and researchers looking for scientific papers, citation tools, saved-paper organization, or paper recommendations. API users should note its stated non-commercial research and educational-use terms.