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ChatPDF alternatives · AI Research

Open-source alternatives to ChatPDF

ChatPDF is not described as open source on its own site. 4 of the 49 other AI research tools in this directory are open source, according to their own sites.

ChatPDF has a free plan. Paid plans start at $89.99 per year or $14.99 per month (US App Store in-app purchase). All of them are free or have a free plan.

4 tools · Listings checked up to Nov 12, 2026 · Where the facts come from

How each one differs from ChatPDF

  1. Ai2 Asta

    AI research assistant for finding papers and analyzing data

    • Ai2 Asta is free. ChatPDF starts at $89.99 per year or $14.99 per month (US App Store in-app purchase).
    • Only ChatPDF lists macOS, Windows, iOS and Android apps.
    • Ai2 Asta is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • Ai2 Asta also covers AI agents.
    Ai2 Asta pricing and details

  2. Inciteful

    Free citation-network tools for exploring academic papers

    • Inciteful is free. ChatPDF starts at $89.99 per year or $14.99 per month (US App Store in-app purchase).
    • Only ChatPDF lists macOS, Windows, iOS and Android apps.
    • Inciteful is open source, according to its own site.
    • ChatPDF also covers chat assistant and AI search.
    Inciteful pricing and details

  3. STORM

    Open-source AI that writes Wikipedia-style reports with citations

    • STORM is free. ChatPDF starts at $89.99 per year or $14.99 per month (US App Store in-app purchase).
    • Only ChatPDF lists macOS, Windows, iOS and Android apps.
    • STORM is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • STORM also covers AI agents and mind mapping.
    STORM pricing and details

  4. Zotero

    Free, open-source reference manager from a nonprofit

    • Zotero starts at $20 per year for 2 GB of file storage. ChatPDF starts at $89.99 per year or $14.99 per month (US App Store in-app purchase).
    • Only Zotero lists a Linux app.
    • Only ChatPDF lists a web app.
    • Zotero is open source, according to its own site.
    Zotero pricing and details

Common questions

Is there an open-source alternative to ChatPDF?

Yes. Ai2 Asta, Inciteful, STORM and Zotero are open source, according to their own sites.

Is ChatPDF open source?

ChatPDF is not described as open source on its own site. The listing was checked on Oct 5, 2026 against the pages it cites.

When was this checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 5, 2026 to Nov 12, 2026. Vendors change prices and plans without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.

This page is built from the listings. A tool is here because its listing says so, and the order is how close each is to ChatPDF: the alternatives its listing names first, then the tools that share the most features with it.