kitio.aiUnderleaf vs Scifocus
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. Scifocus has the lower starting price: about $7 a month, against $12 for Underleaf.
At a glance
Best for
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- Handwriting to LaTeX
- PDF to LaTeX
- Table and TikZ generation
- AI edits on output
- Chrome extension
- Literature review help
- Notes and concept maps
- Academic writing tools
- 20+ research modules
- Word-based plans
- File history storage
| Feature | Underleaf | Scifocus |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Converts handwritten math, PDFs and photos into compilable LaTeX | AI toolkit for literature reviews, note-taking and academic writing |
| Category | Research & search | Research & search |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting price | $12/mo | $6.99/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Made by | Underleaf | Scifocus |
| Based in | – | – |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
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Pricing compared
Scifocus has the lower starting price: about $7 a month, against $12 for Underleaf.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
2 plans
Essentials
$12/mo
- 200 credits a month
- 10 pages per PDF
- Chrome extension
Pro
$24/mo
- 500 credits a month
- All LaTeX tools
- 20 pages per PDF
- Priority support
3 plans
Basic
$6.99/mo billed yearly
- 10,000 words in Daily Academic Toolkit
- 5,000 words in Research Assistant Pro
Pro
$10.99/mo billed yearly
- 50,000 words in Daily Academic Toolkit
- 7,500 words in Research Assistant Pro
Ultimate
$35.99/mo billed yearly
- Unlimited Daily Academic Toolkit
- 15,000 words in Research Assistant Pro
Prices in USD, checked Oct 29, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
Underleaf
- Handles handwriting and scans
- Output compiles without retyping
- Whole documents in one upload
- PDF conversions capped at 10 or 20 pages
- Conversion history kept only 7 to 30 days
- Free tier details are not spelled out
Scifocus
- Covers the research process end to end
- Low entry price
- Free to try with no card
- Usage capped by monthly words
- Listed rates assume annual billing
- Research Assistant Pro allowance is small on cheaper plans
Which one should you choose?
Choose Underleaf if you want:
- Handles handwriting and scans
- Output compiles without retyping
- Whole documents in one upload
Watch out: pdf conversions capped at 10 or 20 pages.
Choose Scifocus if you want:
- Covers the research process end to end
- Low entry price
- Free to try with no card
Watch out: usage capped by monthly words.
Underleaf vs Scifocus FAQ
What is the difference between Underleaf and Scifocus?
Underleaf: Converts handwritten math, PDFs and photos into compilable LaTeX. Scifocus: AI toolkit for literature reviews, note-taking and academic writing. Both are research & search tools.
Is Underleaf or Scifocus cheaper?
Scifocus has the lower starting price: about $7 a month, against $12 for Underleaf.
Do Underleaf and Scifocus have free plans?
Underleaf: Yes. Scifocus: Yes.
Who makes Underleaf?
Underleaf is made by Underleaf.
Who makes Scifocus?
Scifocus is made by Scifocus.
Which should I choose, Underleaf or Scifocus?
Choose Underleaf if you value handles handwriting and scans and output compiles without retyping. Choose Scifocus if you value covers the research process end to end and low entry price.