Consensus vs Elicit
Which Search AI tool is better in 2026?
Consensus
AI search engine that answers research questions from 220M+ peer-reviewed papers
Elicit
AI research assistant for scientists
Side-by-side
Elicit is the more established option (raised $22M); pricing is comparable on both sides.
| Metric | Consensus | Elicit |
|---|---|---|
| Taglinei | AI search engine that answers research questions from 220M+ peer-reviewed papers | AI research assistant for scientists |
| Foundedi | 2021 | 2021 |
| HQi | Boston, United States | San Francisco, US |
| Employeesi | 11-50🏆 | 10-50 |
| Neuron scorei | 61🏆 | 49 |
| Total fundingi | Undisclosed | $22M🏆 |
| Latest roundi | Series B · May 2026 | Series A · Feb 2025 |
| Valuationi | — | $100M🏆 |
| Cheapest paid plani | Pricing not disclosed | — |
| Free plani | ✓ | ✓ Free |
| Free triali | ✗ | ✓ |
| Top tier pricei | Pricing not disclosed | Enterprise · Contact sales |
| Pricing summaryi | Free | 3 published plans |
| Categoriesi |
Capability matrix
Developer-facing capabilities and access signals for Consensus and Elicit.
| Capability | Consensus | Elicit |
|---|---|---|
| MCP support | ✗ | ✗ |
| Public API | ✗ | ✓ |
| Webhooks | ✗ | ✗ |
| OAuth 2.0 | ✗ | ✗ |
| SDK languages | — | — |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | ✗ | ✓ |
| Verified | ✗ | ✓ |
| Active deal | ✗ | ✗ |
🟢 Strengths of Consensus
- Higher Neuron score (61 vs 49)
🔵 Strengths of Elicit
- Has raised more capital ($22M vs Undisclosed)
- Offers a free trial
- Verified profile
Which should you choose?
Choose Elicit if price matters most — it starts at Free, which is friendlier for teams watching burn. Both AI Search tools ship core features, so the cost delta often decides it for small teams and solo operators.
Choose Elicit if you want the most established option — it has raised $22M, suggesting more runway for enterprise features, support, and long-term roadmap. For mission-critical workflows or larger teams, that stability often outweighs a lower monthly price.
Frequently asked questions
Consensus vs Elicit — which is better?
It depends on your priority. Consensus is the leaner option; Elicit has broader feature depth. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Consensus cheaper than Elicit?
No — Elicit's cheapest paid plan is Free, while Consensus's is Free.
Do Consensus and Elicit offer free plans?
Consensus: Yes, has a free plan. Elicit: Yes, has a free plan.
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