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Consensus vs Sourcely

Two fact sheets from our own research, side by side — pricing, platforms, API access and status re-checked by us rather than quoted from the vendors. Sourcely publishes a starting price ($19); Consensus does not. Only Consensus has a free tier.

ConsensusSearch over peer-reviewed papers with claim summariesSourcelyFinds citable academic sources for a pasted essay or paper draft, with summaries and credibility checks

Side by side

FactConsensusSourcely
CategoryAcademic Search & Literature ReviewAcademic Search & Literature Review
Pricing modelFreemiumPaid
Starts at—$19 month
Public APINoNo
PlatformsWeb, iOS, AndroidWeb
CompanyConsensusSourcely
Launched2021—
Last verifiedSep 6, 2026Sep 6, 2026

What our research says

Consensus

Useful when you want to know what a body of literature actually concludes rather than reading one paper at a time, but it orients you, it does not replace reading them.

Pros

  • Every answer is tied to specific papers with study design and sample size
  • Free tier is a standing plan rather than a time-limited trial
  • The yes-or-no consensus meter is a fast orientation device
  • Covers a very large index of peer-reviewed literature

Cons

  • Summaries can flatten real disagreement between studies into false consensus
  • Coverage skews to indexed English-language biomedical work
  • Pricing cannot be verified from outside; the site blocks automated access
  • Free allowance of the deeper analyses runs out quickly in real use

Sourcely

A fast way for students to back an already-written argument with citable papers, and the per-source credibility check is something most rivals skip. Deep searches are metered even on paid plans, and the free version is a 300-character demo, so budget for a subscription.

Pros

  • Works from pasted prose rather than keyword queries
  • Summaries and credibility checks attached to each suggested source
  • Citation export covers a very wide range of formats
  • Cheaper than most per-seat research platforms at list price

Cons

  • Free version is a 300-character demo, not a usable tier
  • Deep searches and credibility checks are metered on both paid plans
  • No live API despite one being announced for late 2026

Which one fits

Choose Consensus if you need

  • Checking whether a specific claim has support across published studies
  • Clinicians and students orienting quickly in an unfamiliar literature
  • Anyone who wants citations attached to every summarised claim

Choose Sourcely if you need

  • Students who wrote first and need supporting sources after the fact
  • Essay writers who want citations exported straight into their required format
  • Quick credibility triage of sources before a deadline

More comparisons

All Consensus alternatives →All Sourcely alternatives →Browse all Academic Search & Literature Review →