Compare software

PubMed vs OpenAlex: catalog facts
PubMedOpenAlex
Free

Free to use, run by a US government agency.

Free

Free to search, analyze and reuse.

Web Web
  • Over 40 million biomedical citations in one place
  • Advanced search, clinical queries and MeSH browsing
  • Covers about half a billion scholarly works
  • Web app, API and bulk download
  • Mostly citations and abstracts; full text depends on PubMed Central or publishers
  • Limited to biomedical and life-sciences subjects
  • A search catalog rather than an AI reading assistant
  • Analysis beyond the web app needs API or data skills
Web application Web application, Hosted service
Closed source Closed source
License not stated License not stated
No account needed Not stated if an account is needed
Needs internet Not stated if it works offline

Checked October 1, 2026

Checked October 1, 2026

Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.