Open Read Review:
based on real mystery shopping

A*Help Score: 68/100
🔥 published March 25, 2024 - updated September 25, 2024

Quick Overview

Open Read promises to offer a distinctive experience in academic research, scoring an Ahelp score of 68. It’s a platform where academic papers are the main focus, with a particular emphasis on journal articles. Though it finds itself in the middle range of reference-finding tools, it boasts an array of features like AI summaries and an interactive AI assistant named Oat, designed to enrich the user’s research experience. However, it’s not without its drawbacks, notably in source diversity and search functionality.

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The Good
  • Mobile-friendly design for research on the go
  • Structured subscription options for varying needs
The Bad
  • No direct access to full texts or abstracts on the platform
  • Search results are limited to 50 with no advanced filtering
Photo of the homepage at OpenRead
Homepage at OpenRead (click to see a bigger image)

Open Read: Searching Quality – 35/50 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Open Read’s search quality could use some improvement. While this AI reference finder does a decent job of displaying journal articles, the apparent lack of books and conference papers is a significant limitation. The platform allows users to see the domain of studies but doesn’t offer the ability to filter or choose preferred disciplines. Additionally, the absence of access to full texts or abstracts on the platform itself, coupled with restricted search results and minimal citation formatting options, limits its usefulness for comprehensive research.

Screenshot of search results at Open Read (click to see a large image)
Search results at Open Read (click to see a large image)
🔍 SEARCH REQUEST 👍 RELEVANT RESULTS 🏆 FEATURES HIGHLY-CITED SOURCES
Climate change effects on Polar bears
Newest data on Mars rover findings

Open Read: Value for money – 17/25 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

With two main subscription options, Open Read offers a degree of flexibility in accessing its features. The basic plan at $5 provides a good starting point, while the premium option at $20 removes any usage caps. The free version, although limited, gives users a taste of what the platform can offer. The AI assistant Oat adds value by guiding users through their research process, making the pricing more palatable, especially for those who can leverage the full suite of features.

Screenshot of pricing plans at OpenRead (click to see a large image)
Pricing plans at Open Read (click to see a large image)
8/10
Subscription cost
3/5
Free features

Open Read: Overall Experience – 16/25 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Working with Open Read comes with certain challenges and rewards. The quick registration process and mobile accessibility stand out as positives, making it easy for users to start their research anytime, anywhere. However, the cluttered interface with search results displayed as cards or tiles all over the screen and, at times, slow loading can frustrate users looking for efficiency. The lack of integration with reference management tools and minimal customer support options further complicates the user experience despite the innovative touch provided by the AI assistant.

Screenshot of the AI assistant at openread.academy (click to see a large image)
AI assistant at Open Read (click to see a large image)
4/10
User experience
3/5
Speed and efficiency
8/8
Mobile accessibility

Conclusion

Open Read is a platform with potential, offering fine features like an AI assistant and mobile accessibility that are sure to appeal to some users. However, its limitations in search quality and user interface design may deter those seeking a more simple and robust research tool. For users who find the subscription cost within their budget and can navigate its quirks, Open Read might become a helpful resource. Nonetheless, users who are in search of a comprehensive research experience might need to look elsewhere.

FAQ

Open Read Reviews

In our effort to provide a balanced and insightful overview, the AcademicHelp team delves into services like Open Read by combining detailed internal testing with a thorough examination of feedback from users across various credible platforms. This integrated approach ensures that our review of Open Read is nuanced and comprehensive, reflecting the tool’s performance and reliability in facilitating academic research. Through this method, we aim to capture the full spectrum of Open Read’s capabilities, its strengths and areas where it may not fully meet the needs of a diverse academic audience.

Is Open Read a scam?

No, Open Read is not a scam. It’s a legitimate academic research tool designed to help users access and engage with journal articles. While it has limitations in terms of source diversity and search functionality, it offers genuine services, including an AI assistant and subscription-based access to various research features. Users should consider its strengths and weaknesses to determine if it meets their research needs.

Is Open Read legit?

Yes, Open Read is a legitimate service, offering a platform for academic researchers to explore journal articles. Its features, like the AI assistant ‘Oat’ reflect its intention to aid in the research process.

Is Open Read safe?

Open Read is safe for conducting academic research. It prioritizes user experience with a straightforward registration process and access to journal articles. The platform does not compromise user safety or privacy, making it a reliable tool for academic purposes.

Is Open Read trustworthy?

Open Read earns its trustworthiness by providing a clear and structured approach to accessing academic resources. The introduction of an AI assistant for enhanced research support and transparent subscription models for access to its features further bolsters its reliability.

Is Open Read a good service?

Open Read can be a good service for certain users, particularly those who value its AI-driven assistance and focus on journal articles. While it falls short in providing a broad spectrum of academic resources and advanced search capabilities, its commitment to improving the research process through technology is evident. Potential users should weigh its unique offerings against its limitations to decide if it aligns with their academic and research needs.

Open Read Specs

> Quality and Variety of Sources
journals
books
conferences
> Comprehensiveness (study types, domains)
access to full texts or abstracts
only on the websites of databases if available
Relevance (Up-to-Date Information)
it’s to identify relevant search results
> Citation Formatting
MLA
APA
Chicago
Harvard
Other styles
BibTex, RIS
Subscription Cost / pricing
Free:
Paper Espresso × 5 / month Paper Q&A × 5 / month Chat with Oat × 5 / month AI Summary (search) × 5 / month Related Paper Graph × 5 / month Paper Request × 5 / month Translate with LLM × 5 / month Unlimited PDF uploads and parsing

Basic $5:
Paper Espresso × 100 / month
Paper Q&A × 300 / month
Chat with Oat × 1000 / month
AI Summary (search) × 300 / month
Related Paper Graph × 300 / month
Paper Request × 30 / month
Translate with LLM × 300 / month
Unlimited PDF uploads and parsing

Premium $20:
Unlimited usage of Paper Espresso
Unlimited usage of Paper Q&A
Unlimited chat with Oat
Unlimited usage of AI Summary (search)
Unlimited usage of Related Paper Graph
Unlimited usage of Paper Request
Unlimited usage of Translate with LLM
Unlimited PDF uploads and parsing
> User experience
saving
copying
sharing
Integration with Reference Management Tools
search functionality and filtering options
AI assistant
> Support
live chat
blog
help center

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