Consensus vs OpenEvidence
Which Research Assistants AI tool is better in 2026?
Consensus
AI search engine that answers research questions from 220M+ peer-reviewed papers
OpenEvidence
AI medical assistant for clinicians
Side-by-side
OpenEvidence is the more established option (raised $735M); pricing is comparable on both sides.
| Metric | Consensus | OpenEvidence |
|---|---|---|
| Taglinei | AI search engine that answers research questions from 220M+ peer-reviewed papers | AI medical assistant for clinicians |
| Foundedi | 2021🏆 | 2022 |
| HQi | Boston, United States | San Francisco, US |
| Employeesi | 11-50 | 50-200🏆 |
| Neuron scorei | 35 | 63🏆 |
| Total fundingi | Undisclosed | $735M🏆 |
| Latest roundi | Series B · May 2026 | Series D · Jan 2026 |
| Valuationi | — | $12B🏆 |
| Cheapest paid plani | Pricing not disclosed | — |
| Free plani | ✓ | ✗ |
| Free triali | ✗ | ✗ |
| Top tier pricei | Pricing not disclosed | Enterprise · Contact sales |
| Pricing summaryi | Free | 1 published plans |
| Categoriesi |
Capability matrix
Developer-facing capabilities and access signals for Consensus and OpenEvidence.
| Capability | Consensus | OpenEvidence |
|---|---|---|
| MCP support | ✗ | ✗ |
| Public API | ✗ | ✓ |
| Webhooks | ✗ | ✗ |
| OAuth 2.0 | ✗ | ✗ |
| SDK languages | — | 2 (TypeScript, Python) |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✗ |
| Free trial | ✗ | ✗ |
| Verified | ✗ | ✓ |
| Active deal | ✗ | ✗ |
🟢 Strengths of Consensus
- Offers a free plan
- More mature (2021)
🔵 Strengths of OpenEvidence
- Has raised more capital ($735M vs Undisclosed)
- Higher Neuron score (63 vs 35)
- Newer company (2022)
- Verified profile
Which should you choose?
Choose OpenEvidence if price matters most — it starts at Freemium, which is friendlier for teams watching burn. Both Research Assistants tools ship core features, so the cost delta often decides it for small teams and solo operators.
Choose OpenEvidence if you want the most established option — it has raised $735M, 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 OpenEvidence — which is better?
It depends on your priority. Consensus is the leaner option; OpenEvidence has broader feature depth. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Consensus cheaper than OpenEvidence?
No — OpenEvidence's cheapest paid plan is Freemium, while Consensus's is Free.
Do Consensus and OpenEvidence offer free plans?
Consensus: Yes, has a free plan. OpenEvidence: Paid only.
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