The Explainpaper Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Explainpaper in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
Explainpaper
The Insider’s Guide
Highlight confusing text in a paper and get a plain explanation
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among AI research tools, read from Explainpaper’s own pages.
Made by Explainpaper · checked Nov 12, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from Explainpaper’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Explainpaper’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Nov 12, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.4
GPA, above 19 of the 49 other AI research tools we grade
Explainpaper lets you upload a research paper, highlight passages you find hard to follow, and get simpler explanations from an AI model. It also takes follow-up questions about the paper. Free accounts use a basic model; the Pro plan adds figure explanations and automatic outlines.
To get you started, here are 9 things to know about Explainpaper, taken from its own pages and our grades.
Upload a paper, highlight what you don't follow, and read the answer.
- 1
Best for getting a plain explanation of a confusing paragraph
Explainpaper lets you highlight text in a paper and get a plain-language explanation, with follow-up questions.
- 2
Paid plans start at $12 a month
As its pricing page puts it: $12 per month, billed yearly ($16 billed monthly).
- 3
There is a free plan
Unlimited highlight explanations and follow-up questions, with basic AI models and Zotero library import.
- 4
It runs on Web
Web.
- 5
Highlight to explain
Select text in an uploaded paper and receive a simpler explanation of that passage.
- 6
Follow-up questions
Ask further questions about a passage; available on the free plan.
- 7
Figures and equations
On Pro, click a graph, figure or equation to get it explained.
- 8
A 2.4 GPA, above 19 of 49
That is against the other AI research tools we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 9
Keep it
To replace Explainpaper you would be making an AI model, which you can rent by the request but not make. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
Explainpaper at a glance
- Pricing
- Free plan, from $12 per month, billed yearly ($16 billed monthly)
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- 7-day free trial of Pro
- Runs on
- Web
- Made by
- Explainpaper
- Category
- AI Research Tools
- Our grade
- 2.4 GPA, fair
The report card
Best for getting a plain explanation of a confusing paragraph
Explainpaper lets you highlight text in a paper and get a plain-language explanation, with follow-up questions. The free version runs on basic AI models, and figure explanations, saved highlights and outlines need Pro at $12 a month billed yearly.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | C | Pro is $12 a month billed yearly ($16 monthly), which puts it in the dearer quarter of a category whose middle is $10. |
| Free plan and trial | B | Free forever with unlimited highlight explanations, follow-up questions and Zotero import, on basic models. A student could live on it, but the stronger model is Pro. Pro has a 7-day trial. |
| Features | C | Explanations, follow-ups, figures, equations, outlines and saved highlights. The listing shows figures, outlines and saved highlights as Pro-only, and it covers just reading a paper. |
| Ease of use | B | No store rating on record. Upload a paper, highlight what you don't follow, and read the answer. |
| Platforms and integrations | C | Web only, with Zotero library import the single integration. No apps are listed. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who Explainpaper is for
- Fits if you're a student who hits a paragraph in a paper that makes no sense
- Works for readers who keep their papers in Zotero
Who it is not for
- Tight if you stay free: basic AI models only
- Pricey if you want figure and equation explanations, outlines or saved highlights, which are Pro at $12 a month
- Skip it if you want to search for papers, as it only helps you read one
- Watch out: the Teams plan has no published price, and there are no apps beyond the browser
Good to know
Good for
- Students reading papers outside their own field
- Readers who want jargon explained inline
Worth knowing
- Free accounts get basic AI models; the stronger model needs Pro.
- Saved highlights and figure explanations are Pro only.
- The Teams plan has no published price.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
$12
A month to start. There is a free plan too
Explainpaper has a free plan. Paid plans start at $12 per month, billed yearly ($16 billed monthly).
Free forever with unlimited highlight explanations, follow-up questions and Zotero import, on basic models.
Free
$0
Unlimited highlight explanations, follow-up questions and Zotero import, on basic AI models.
Pro
$12
per month, billed yearly ($16 billed monthly)
Explains graphs, figures and equations; automatic outlines; saved highlights; questions about the paper.
Teams
Custom
Everything in Pro, plus team management, priority support and volume discounts.
The free plan
Unlimited highlight explanations and follow-up questions, with basic AI models and Zotero library import.
Trying it first
7-day free trial of Pro
Read from explainpaper.com on Nov 12, 2026.
Ways to pay less
Annual discount
Save 25% with yearly billing
The pricing page lists Pro at $12 a month billed yearly against $16 a month billed monthly, labeled as a 25% saving.
Stated on explainpaper.com
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
1
Place it runs: Web
Highlight confusing text in a paper and get a plain explanation. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: AI features, chat assistant, research, documents, highlights.
Explanations, follow-ups, figures, equations, outlines and saved highlights.
- Highlight to explain
- Select text in an uploaded paper and receive a simpler explanation of that passage.
- Follow-up questions
- Ask further questions about a passage; available on the free plan.
- Figures and equations
- On Pro, click a graph, figure or equation to get it explained.
- Paper outlines
- Pro generates an outline with clickable page references.
- Saved highlights
- Pro keeps your highlights and the explanations you received.
- Zotero import
- Bring in your Zotero library on any plan.
Where it runs
- Web
What it works with
- Zotero
Explainpaper is made by Explainpaper.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
19/49
Other AI research tools it is graded above
Explainpaper's GPA of 2.4 is higher than 19 of the 49 other AI research tools we grade, and level with 13.
It stands best on free plan and trial (B, above 36 of 49) and worst on platforms and integrations (C, above 0).
Its paid plans start at $12 a month, against a middle price of $10 for the category: 21 of the 35 others that charge start lower.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.3 out of 4. 13 tools score higher and cost less.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 50 AI research tools we grade, cut by the letter each got. Explainpaper’s own letter is outlined.
- CValue for moneyAbove 6 of 49
- BFree plan and trialAbove 36 of 49
- CFeaturesAbove 1 of 49
- BEase of useAbove 29 of 49
- CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 0 of 49
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 40 AI research tools. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Explainpaper is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
To replace Explainpaper you would be making an AI model, which you can rent by the request but not make. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
It costs $144 a year.
What you could make
- Highlights and documents: an app builder makes these well.
What you could not
- An AI model, which you can rent by the request but not make.
- A library of papers and sources to search.
What this rests on. Explainpaper’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
SciSpace, ChatPDF, Humata, Paperguide and AskYourPDF
The 5 tools Explainpaper is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.4GPA
SciSpace
Free plan · from $12/mo
AI research platform for literature review and reading papers.
- Only SciSpace lists an iOS app.
- Only SciSpace lists a browser extension.
- Explainpaper also covers documents and highlights.
- 2.8GPA
ChatPDF
Free plan · from $89.99/yr
Ask questions about PDFs and get answers with citations.
- Only ChatPDF lists macOS, Windows, iOS and Android apps.
- Explainpaper also covers documents and highlights.
- ChatPDF also covers AI search and citations.
- 2.2GPA
Humata
Free plan · from $9.99/mo
Document Q&A with cited answers across your uploaded files.
- Explainpaper also covers documents and highlights.
- Humata also covers citations.
- 2.6GPA
Paperguide
Free plan · from $12/mo
AI research platform for literature and systematic reviews.
- Only Paperguide lists a browser extension.
- Explainpaper also covers documents and highlights.
- Paperguide also covers AI search, AI agents, citations and long-form writing.
- 2.4GPA
AskYourPDF
Free plan · from $11.99/mo
Chat with PDFs and other documents and get cited answers.
- Only AskYourPDF lists iOS and Android apps.
- Only AskYourPDF lists a browser extension.
- Explainpaper also covers documents and highlights.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
14
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is Explainpaper free?
Explainpaper has a free plan. Unlimited highlight explanations and follow-up questions, with basic AI models and Zotero library import.
How much does Explainpaper cost?
Explainpaper lists 3 plans. Free: $0.
What platforms does Explainpaper work on?
Explainpaper is available on Web.
Does Explainpaper offer any discounts?
Explainpaper publicly lists the following: Save 25% with yearly billing.
Does Explainpaper have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 12, 2026. Explainpaper is listed for Web.
Does Explainpaper have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 12, 2026. Explainpaper is listed for Web.
Is Explainpaper open source?
Explainpaper is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Nov 12, 2026.
What does Explainpaper integrate with?
Explainpaper's listing names Zotero. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.
Does Explainpaper have a free trial?
Yes. 7-day free trial of Pro.
Who makes Explainpaper?
Explainpaper is made by a company of the same name.
What are the alternatives to Explainpaper?
The closest alternatives to Explainpaper in our directory are SciSpace, ChatPDF, Humata, Paperguide and AskYourPDF.
How does Explainpaper compare with other AI research tools?
Explainpaper's GPA of 2.4 is higher than 19 of the 49 other AI research tools we grade, and level with 13.
Is Explainpaper good value for money?
ToolGPA grades Explainpaper C for value for money. Its paid plans start at $12 a month, against a middle price of $10 for the category: 21 of the 35 others that charge start lower.
Could I make my own version of Explainpaper?
To replace Explainpaper you would be making an AI model, which you can rent by the request but not make.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Explainpaper’s own pages on Nov 12, 2026, and the grades were given on Nov 12, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Explainpaper's own pages on 12 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by Explainpaper. Prices change, so check explainpaper.com before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
5,038
Tools graded, in 95 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
5,038
tools graded
95
categories
739
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- Explainpaper, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/explainpaper
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "Explainpaper: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 12, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/explainpaper
Know someone choosing between AI research tools?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/explainpaper/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded AI research tools after Explainpaper, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- AI Research Tools Insider's GuideEvery one of the 50 AI research tools we grade, compared
- Ai2 Asta Insider's GuideAI research assistant for finding papers and analyzing data3.2 GPA
- Semantic Scholar Insider's GuideFree AI-powered search engine for scientific literature3.2 GPA
- ChatPDF Insider's GuideAsk questions about PDFs and get answers with citations2.8 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what Explainpaper’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Explainpaper is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Explainpaper. Prices and plans change: check explainpaper.com before you buy.