Best Scopus Alternatives in 2026
Updated
20 platforms from academic research databases ranked against Scopus on the same published basis.
- 1Scopus vs The Lens
- 2Scopus vs arXiv
- 3Scopus vs CORE
- 4Scopus vs medRxiv
- 5Scopus vs OpenAlex
- 6Scopus vs PubMed
- 7Scopus vs zbMATH Open
- 8Scopus vs Europe PMC
- 10Scopus vs ERIC
- 11Scopus vs Directory of Open Access Journals
- 12Scopus vs Web of Science
- 13Scopus vs Inspec
- 14Scopus vs AGRICOLA
- 15Scopus vs EconLit
- 16Scopus vs JSTOR
- 17Scopus vs MAXQDA
- 18Scopus vs SSRN
- 19Scopus vs Dimensions
- 20Scopus vs CAB Abstracts
- 21Scopus vs ProQuest Central
Scopus alternatives compared
| # | Platform | Score | Free plan | From | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Lens | 7.4 | Free plan | $83.33/mo | API, Web |
| 2 | arXiv | 7.3 | Free plan | Free | API, Web |
| 3 | CORE | 7.3 | Free plan | Free | API, Browser, Web |
| 4 | medRxiv | 7.3 | Free plan | Free | API, Web |
| 5 | OpenAlex | 7.3 | Free plan | $416.67/mo | API, Browser, self-hosted, Web |
| 6 | PubMed | 7.3 | Free plan | Free | API, Web |
| 7 | zbMATH Open | 7.3 | Free plan | Free | API, Web |
| 8 | Europe PMC | 7.2 | Free plan | Free | API, Web |
| 10 | ERIC | 7.0 | No | — | API, Web |
| 11 | Directory of Open Access Journals | 6.9 | No | — | API, Web |
| 12 | Web of Science | 6.8 | No | — | API, Web |
| 13 | Inspec | 6.7 | No | — | API, Web |
| 14 | AGRICOLA | 5.9 | Free plan | Free | Web |
| 15 | EconLit | 5.9 | Free plan | Free | Web |
| 16 | JSTOR | 5.9 | Free plan | $16.58/mo | Android, iOS, Web |
| 17 | MAXQDA | 5.9 | No | — | Mac, Windows |
| 18 | SSRN | 5.9 | Free plan | Free | Web |
| 19 | Dimensions | 5.7 | Free plan | Free | Web |
| 20 | CAB Abstracts | 5.5 | No | — | Web |
| 21 | ProQuest Central | 5.5 | No | — | Web |
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Questions about Scopus alternatives
What is the best alternative to Scopus?
The Lens, number 1 in academic research databases with a score of 7.4 out of 10. The others here: arXiv, CORE, medRxiv and 16 more.
What is the best free alternative to Scopus?
The Lens is the best-ranked alternative with a free plan. 13 of the 20 alternatives here publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
How are these alternatives ranked?
Ranked on what each maker publishes, open and connectable first: a public API, open-source code, the depth of its documentation and a free tier to try it on. Model lists are sorted by the figure in their title, exactly as each provider publishes it.