kitio.aiScite vs Metaso
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. Metaso is completely free, while Scite is free trial.
At a glance
Best for
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- Smart Citations
- AI research assistant
- Reference check
- Citation alerts
- Browser extension
- Cited answers
- Research mode
- Academic search
- Mind map outlines
- Document Q&A
| Feature | Scite | Metaso |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | See how papers are cited and get AI answers backed by citations | Chinese AI search engine with research and academic modes |
| Category | Research & search | Research & search |
| Pricing model | Free trial | Free |
| Starting price | $20/mo | Free |
| Free plan | No, 7-day trial | Yes, fully free |
| Made by | Research Solutions | Metaso |
| Based in | United States | China |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
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Pricing compared
Metaso is completely free, while Scite is free trial.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
3 plans
Basic
$20/mo
- Full Assistant and Search access
- 250 MCP credits / month
- Collections up to 1,000 papers
- Citation alerts and dashboards
Pro
$50/mo
- Per seat
- API access
- 2,500 MCP credits / month
- Patent, clinical trial and grant data
Enterprise
Custom
- Unlimited users, pooled usage
- SSO, IP or domain access
- Collections up to 50,000 papers
Prices in USD, checked Oct 28, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
Scite
- Shows if findings were disputed
- Draws on full-text articles
- Good for checking references
- Full features are paid
- Classification is not always right
Metaso
- Strong Chinese-language search
- Ad-free
- Structured outputs
- Interface mainly in Chinese
- Less coverage of English sources
Which one should you choose?
Choose Scite if you want:
- Shows if findings were disputed
- Draws on full-text articles
- Good for checking references
Watch out: full features are paid.
Choose Metaso if you want:
- Strong Chinese-language search
- Ad-free
- Structured outputs
Watch out: interface mainly in chinese.
Scite vs Metaso FAQ
What is the difference between Scite and Metaso?
Scite: See how papers are cited and get AI answers backed by citations. Metaso: Chinese AI search engine with research and academic modes. Both are research & search tools.
Is Scite or Metaso cheaper?
Metaso is completely free, while Scite is free trial.
Do Scite and Metaso have free plans?
Scite: No, 7-day trial. Metaso: Yes, fully free.
Who makes Scite?
Scite is made by Research Solutions, based in United States.
Who makes Metaso?
Metaso is made by Metaso, based in China.
Which should I choose, Scite or Metaso?
Choose Scite if you value shows if findings were disputed and draws on full-text articles. Choose Metaso if you value strong chinese-language search and ad-free.