Quick Verdict
Scite is an AI-powered citation analysis tool that shows how papers have been cited - whether supporting, contrasting, or mentioning. Helps researchers evaluate the reliability of claims and find the most relevant evidence in scientific literature.
Best for: Academic researchers, Journal editors, Systematic reviewers, Research integrity teams
Scite
Scite is an AI-powered citation analysis tool that shows how papers have been cited - whether supporting, contrasting, or mentioning. Helps researchers evaluate the reliability of claims and find the most relevant evidence in scientific literature.
Best for: Academic researchers • Journal editors • Systematic reviewers • Research integrity teams
Key Features
- Smart citation analysis
- Supporting/contrasting citations
- Citation statements extraction
- Reference checking
- Browser extension
- Integration with Zotero
- Custom dashboards
- Journal and author metrics
Pros
- Unique citation context analysis
- Helps evaluate paper quality
- Great for literature reviews
- Browser extension convenient
- Academic credibility
Cons
- Limited free tier
- Learning curve
- Coverage varies by field
- Can be slow for large searches
Pricing
| Plan | Details |
|---|---|
| Starter | $12/mo |
| Pro | $20/mo |
Smart Citations included
Tips & Best Practices
Use Smart Citations to see whether papers are mostly supporting, contrasting, or just mentioning other work instead of relying on citation counts alone
Paste specific claims or sentences rather than broad keywords - this leverages Scite's citation-statement index for more precise results
Use citation chaining to move backward (what paper cites) and forward (who cites it and whether they support or contrast) to quickly find replications and critiques
Install the browser extension so Smart Citation badges appear wherever you read research online, helping evaluate papers before investing time
Build dashboards for key topics to monitor new citations and retractions and track how supporting vs contrasting balance changes over time
Before finalizing your reference list, run core sources through Scite to confirm they are cited as supporting when you present them as evidence
Integrate with Zotero to view Smart Citation metrics from within your reference library and prioritize higher-quality or more debated sources
Features
- Smart citation analysis
- Supporting/contrasting citations
- Citation statements extraction
- Reference checking
- Browser extension
- Integration with Zotero
- Custom dashboards
- Journal and author metrics
Best for: Academic researchers • Journal editors • Systematic reviewers • Research integrity teams
Pros
- Unique citation context analysis
- Helps evaluate paper quality
- Great for literature reviews
- Browser extension convenient
- Academic credibility
Cons
- Limited free tier
- Learning curve
- Coverage varies by field
- Can be slow for large searches
Final Recommendation
Scite is a paid AI tool best suited for Academic researchers and Journal editors.