Glasp
Focus: highlights, annotations and read later. Also in Reading and Research, like Unpaywall. Adds Safari and Web. Rated 4.4 (Unpaywall: 4.6).
Browser ExtensionFreeChrome, Safari
4.4Visit
Browser Extension
Unpaywall
A free browser extension that finds legal open-access copies of papers.
Built with love by Shushant Lakhyani. Building bestproductivityresources.com
What is Unpaywall?
Unpaywall is a free extension from the non-profit OurResearch that checks whether the research article you are viewing has a legal, free version somewhere online. When it finds one, for example in a university repository or an open-access journal, a green tab appears so you can read the full text in one click.
Pros
- Only finds legal, open copies
- Works quietly as you browse
- Free API for developers
Cons
- Not every paper has a free version
- Helps only with academic articles
Who should use Unpaywall
Students, researchers and journalists who often hit paywalls on academic papers.
Who may not need it
People with full library access who rarely read research.
Unpaywall alternatives
Similar resources to Unpaywall, picked from the directory.
Claude
Focus: ai, long context and analysis. Also in Research and Reading, like Unpaywall. An AI tool, not a browser extension. Freemium (Unpaywall: Free). Adds Web, iOS and Android. Rated 4.7 (Unpaywall: 4.6).
AI ToolFree planWeb, iOS
4.7Visit
Internet Archive
Focus: digital library, wayback machine and archives. Also in Research and Reading, like Unpaywall. A website, not a browser extension. Adds Web. Rated 4.7 (Unpaywall: 4.6).
WebsiteFreeWeb
4.7Visit
Linkwarden
Focus: bookmarks, read it later and web archive. Also in Research and Reading, like Unpaywall. A web app, not a browser extension. Adds Web, iOS and Android. Rated 4.7 (Unpaywall: 4.6).
Web AppFreeWeb, iOS
4.7Visit
MIT Deep Learning Book
Focus: deep learning, book and pdf. Also in Reading and Research, like Unpaywall. A course, not a browser extension. Adds Web. Rated 4.7 (Unpaywall: 4.6).
CourseFreeWeb
4.7Visit
Readwise Reader
Focus: read later, highlights and rss. Also in Reading and Research, like Unpaywall. A web app, not a browser extension. Paid but Affordable (Unpaywall: Free). Adds Web, iOS and Android. Rated 4.7 (Unpaywall: 4.6).
Web AppPaid but AffordableWeb, iOS
4.7Visit
Free alternatives to Unpaywall
Free resources that cover similar ground.
Anki
Focus: spaced repetition, flashcards and study. Also in Research and Reading, like Unpaywall. A desktop app, not a browser extension. Adds macOS, Windows and Linux. Same 4.6 rating.
Desktop AppFreemacOS, Windows
4.6Visit
Arc Search
Focus: Browser, AI and Summarization. Also in Research and Reading, like Unpaywall. An iOS app, not a browser extension. Adds iOS. Same 4.6 rating.
iOS AppFreeiOS
4.6Visit
FreshRSS
Focus: rss reader, news aggregator and feeds. Also in Reading and Research, like Unpaywall. A web app, not a browser extension. Adds Web. Same 4.6 rating.
Web AppFreeWeb, Cross-Platform
4.6Visit
Read Aloud: A Text to Speech Voice Reader
Focus: Text to Speech, TTS and Accessibility. Shares Browser Extension with Unpaywall. Same 4.6 rating.
Browser ExtensionFreeChrome, Firefox
4.6Visit
How to Use AI to Study Smarter
Focus: study, learning and ai. Also in Research and Reading, like Unpaywall. A YouTube Video, not a browser extension. Adds Web. Rated 4.5 (Unpaywall: 4.6).
YouTube VideoFreeWeb, Cross-Platform
4.5Visit
HowStuffWorks
Focus: explainers, science and technology. Also in Reading and Research, like Unpaywall. A website, not a browser extension. Adds Web. Rated 4.5 (Unpaywall: 4.6).
WebsiteFreeWeb
4.5Visit
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