Quick Verdict
Consensus is an AI-powered academic search engine that uses language models to find and synthesize answers from peer-reviewed research. Ask questions in plain English and get evidence-based answers with citations from scientific papers.
Best for: Fact-checkers, Science communicators, Students researching topics, Anyone wanting evidence-based info
Consensus
Consensus is an AI-powered academic search engine that uses language models to find and synthesize answers from peer-reviewed research. Ask questions in plain English and get evidence-based answers with citations from scientific papers.
Best for: Fact-checkers • Science communicators • Students researching topics • Anyone wanting evidence-based info
Key Features
- Natural language search
- AI-synthesized answers
- Consensus meter (agreement level)
- Citation extraction
- Study snapshots
- 200M+ papers indexed
- Claim verification
- Research synthesis
Pros
- Evidence-based answers
- Shows scientific consensus
- Free to use
- Great for fact-checking
- Clean interface
Cons
- Limited to research papers
- May miss recent papers
- Nuance can be lost
- Not all topics covered
Pricing
| Plan | Details |
|---|---|
| Free | Yes - unlimited searches |
| Pro | $10/mo |
Peer-reviewed only
Tips & Best Practices
Use clear empirical questions in PICO style (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) for best results
Start broad to map the territory then refine with specific population, study design, and outcome measures
Always click through to read original papers - Consensus summaries are secondary interpretations not substitutes
Treat consensus meters as starting hypotheses only, not equivalent to systematic reviews or meta-analyses
Validate Consensus on a topic you already know to calibrate trust before using it for unfamiliar areas
Cross-check findings in field-standard databases like PubMed, Scopus, or Web of Science for completeness
Cite the individual peer-reviewed studies it surfaces, not Consensus itself as the source of truth
Features
- Natural language search
- AI-synthesized answers
- Consensus meter (agreement level)
- Citation extraction
- Study snapshots
- 200M+ papers indexed
- Claim verification
- Research synthesis
Best for: Fact-checkers • Science communicators • Students researching topics • Anyone wanting evidence-based info
Pros
- Evidence-based answers
- Shows scientific consensus
- Free to use
- Great for fact-checking
- Clean interface
Cons
- Limited to research papers
- May miss recent papers
- Nuance can be lost
- Not all topics covered
Final Recommendation
Consensus is a freemium AI tool best suited for Fact-checkers and Science communicators.