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Open Knowledge Maps

Free#25 of 28 in Literature Review SoftwareResearch Paper Discovery Tools

Open Knowledge Maps: A free visual discovery tool for finding and mapping scientific literature. Ranked #25 of 28 in Literature Review Software by our editors (6.5/10); pricing: Free plan; best for free visual topic discovery.

6.5/10Editor score
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Open Knowledge Maps6.5 Visit site

At a glance

  • Editor score
    6.5 / 10
  • Pricing
    Free plan
  • Best for
    Free visual topic discovery
  • Free plan
    Yes
  • Paid from
    None
  • Discovery tools
    Search
  • Founded
    2015 · Vienna, Austria
  • Facts checked
    20 Sep 2026
Open Knowledge Maps screenshot

  • Where it wins

    • AI clusters related research outputs into interactive visual maps
    • Searches BASE and PubMed and links to open-access full text
    • Exports citations and documents to reference managers

  • Where it doesn't

    • No screening workflow for systematic literature reviews
    • No collaboration features for shared research projects
    • No dedicated evidence-mapping tools

Our verdict on Open Knowledge Maps

Open Knowledge Maps is a free, open-source web service for discovering scientific knowledge. It is designed for researchers, students, practitioners, and the public who want to explore research topics visually rather than work through a flat list of results. Searches connect with BASE and PubMed, while interactive maps cluster related research outputs using AI and natural-language processing. Labels identify relevant concepts, and filters refine results by date and resource type. The service also highlights open-access resources and links to full text.

Its strongest fit is early-stage literature discovery. Visual clustering can help users see how research outputs group into topic areas, while citation formats include APA, MLA, Chicago, and ACM. Documents can be exported to reference managers, and integrations include OpenAIRE, ORCID, Crossref, and reference managers. The web service is available alongside an API, and organisations can embed visual discovery services into library catalogues, repositories, and other institutional systems. That makes Open Knowledge Maps suitable for individual exploration as well as institution-led discovery experiences.

The product is narrower than a complete literature review environment. It does not provide a screening workflow, systematic review tools, collaboration features, or dedicated evidence-mapping tools. Users who need to coordinate review teams, manage screening decisions, or build structured evidence maps should choose a product focused on those tasks instead. Open Knowledge Maps is a better choice for free, open visual exploration of scientific literature, especially when topic discovery, open-access links, filtering, citations, and export matter more than end-to-end review management.

Your product? Our editors can test Open Knowledge Maps in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $99/mo →

Open Knowledge Maps pricing

Plans Free planFree Free to use — no paid tier required for the core job.
See plans on openknowledgemaps.org

Open Knowledge Maps fact sheet

Free planYes
Paid fromNone
Discovery toolsSearch
Screening workflowNo
Full-text managementYes
Systematic review toolsNo
CollaborationNo
Evidence mappingNo
Citation import limitNot verified
DeploymentCloud, Browser extension
PlatformsWeb
SupportEmail, Community, Docs
Built forSolo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate)
Integrations6 integrations: BASE, PubMed, OpenAIRE, ORCID, Crossref, reference managers
PricingFree plan
Websiteopenknowledgemaps.org
Facts checked20 Sep 2026

Open Knowledge Maps integrations

Open Knowledge Maps lists 6 integrations on its own site.

  • BASE
  • PubMed
  • OpenAIRE
  • ORCID
  • Crossref
  • reference managers

Alternatives to Open Knowledge Maps

See all Open Knowledge Maps alternatives →

Also Ranked In

Open Knowledge Maps is ranked in 2 of our directories.

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The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used Open Knowledge Maps for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.

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Featured on iTechGuides

Featured on iTechGuides — Open Knowledge Maps 6.5/10

Open Knowledge Maps is listed in our Literature Review Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

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