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Managing and reporting

Software for screening and managing citations

There are various products available to help you and your review team screen and manage the results of your searches. Some of these are freely available, others require a subscription. Four popular options include:

  • Rayyan – A systematic review software with both free and paid options. Allows for easy import of citations, duplicate removal and blind screening of search results. Contains option for using AI agent for screening.
  • AbstrackR – Free systematic review tool used for duplicate removal and blind screening. The screening function contains a machine-learning component that learns from your inclusion/exclusion decisions to re-sort your remaining records by predicted inclusion to speed up the screening process.
  • The Evidence Review Accelerator (TERA) Tools – suite of tools (like Review Wizard, Deduplicator, etc) designed for different stages of a review. A free account allows you to access the tools individually as many times as you like or to save one project. The subscription option allows you to save an unlimited number of projects.
  • Covidence – Subscription based product that offers a free trial (one review, maximum of two reviewers and 500 references).

See this Systematic Review Software Comparison chart created by the Health Sciences Library at the University of Hawai'i for more systematic review software options and features.

Many of the tools and software incorporate machine learning and agentic AI to streamline duplicate removal, record screening, data extraction and more. The AI Tools for Systematic Review Comparison chart created by Purdue University contains more details about the inclusion of AI into various systematic review tools.

If you decide to use AI tools in your systematic review, it is important that you consult the Responsible use of AI in evidence SynthEsis (RAISE) recommendations, to understand your responsibilities as a researcher and expectations for reporting.