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Citely vs Explainpaper
A side-by-side comparison of pricing, ratings, features, pros and cons.
| Overview | |||
| Description | AI citation verification tool that detects fake or hallucinated academic references and finds original sources. | AI that explains confusing parts of research papers in plain language. | |
| Category | |||
| Developer | Citely | Explainpaper | |
| Verified Status | No | No | |
| Last Updated | Aug 2026 | Aug 2026 | |
| Pricing | |||
| Pricing Model | Paid | Free | |
| Free Plan | No | Yes | |
| Free Trial | No | — | |
| Open Source | No | No | |
| Capabilities | |||
| API Access | No | — | |
| Features | • AI Source Finder across CrossRef, PubMed, arXiv, OpenAlex • Fake/unverifiable citation detection • ChatGPT-specific hallucination pattern checker • Multi-format citation export (APA, MLA, Chicago) • Reference list verification • $9 one-time trial, $19/month or $168/year plans | • Highlight-to-explain interface for confusing text in uploaded papers • PDF upload with explanations shown alongside the original text • Follow-up chat for asking questions about a paper or a highlighted section • No account required for basic use | |
| Tags | citation-verificationacademic-integrityai-hallucination-detectionresearch-toolsreference-checker | papersexplanationaccessible | |
| Trust and Engagement | |||
| Review Count | 0 | 0 | |
| Saves | 0 | 0 | |
| Views | 5 | 66 | |
| Quality Score | 37/100 | 62/100 | |
| Website Status | Online | Online | |
| Availability | |||
| Website | citely.ai | explainpaper.com | |
| Social Links | 1 linked | 1 linked | |
| Screenshots | No | No | |
| Reviews | |||
| Pros | — | • Free to use | |
| Cons | • No free tier available | — | |
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