Last updated 07-30-2026
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Explainpaper
Explainpaper is a research paper reader that turns dense PDFs into something you can actually follow. Upload a paper, highlight any sentence that stops you cold, and get a plain-language explanation right there in the margins. Follow-up questions work too, so you can keep reading without tab-switching to look up every acronym.
Most PDF chat tools want you to ask broad questions about the whole file. Explainpaper is built around a narrower moment: you hit one paragraph of jargon and need it unpacked before you can move on. The interface stays inside the paper, with complexity you can dial from beginner to expert and explanations in more than 50 languages.
PhD students, undergrads reading outside their major, and working researchers crossing into a new specialty all use it for the same reason. You stay in the reading flow instead of losing 20 minutes deciphering a single notation block.
Pro adds Math Explain for equations and figures, full-paper summaries, and saved highlights at $16 per month. The free plan already covers unlimited highlight explanations and Zotero imports.
Highlight any passage in a PDF and get an instant plain-language explanation
Explanations in 50+ languages with adjustable complexity from beginner to expert
Free tier includes unlimited highlight explanations and follow-up questions at $0 per month
Pro plan at $16 per month adds Math Explain for formulas and figures plus full-paper summaries
Import papers directly from your Zotero library on the free plan
Chat mode cites specific paper sections and handles follow-up questions in context
Unlimited highlight explanations on the free plan at $0 per month.
Explanations adjust from beginner to expert complexity in 50+ languages.
Zotero library import works on the free tier.
Pro adds Math Explain for formulas and figures at $16 per month.
Free tier runs on basic AI models with less nuance than Pro.
Teams pricing requires contacting sales with no published rates.
Web browser only with no dedicated mobile app listed on the site.
Is Explainpaper free to use?
Yes. Explainpaper offers a free plan at $0 per month with unlimited highlight explanations, follow-up questions, and Zotero library import. The free tier uses basic AI models. Pro costs $16 per month for advanced models, Math Explain, and saved highlights.
How much does Explainpaper Pro cost?
Explainpaper Pro is $16 per month on monthly billing. Yearly billing saves 25%. Pro includes a 7-day free trial with a card on file, Math Explain for formulas and figures, full-paper summaries, and saved highlights.
How does Explainpaper work?
Explainpaper lets you upload a research PDF, highlight any confusing sentence, and get a context-aware explanation in plain language. You can ask follow-up questions, chat about specific sections, and generate paper outlines without leaving the document.
Can Explainpaper explain math formulas?
Yes. Explainpaper Pro includes Math Explain, which breaks down equations, variables, and figures in research papers. The free plan covers text highlights only. Math Explain is listed on the Pro plan at $16 per month.
Does Explainpaper integrate with Zotero?
Yes. Explainpaper lets you import papers from your Zotero library on the free plan. Upload a PDF from Zotero, highlight confusing passages, and get explanations without re-downloading files manually.
What languages does Explainpaper support?
Explainpaper delivers explanations in more than 50 languages. You highlight English academic text and receive simplified explanations in your chosen language, with complexity adjustable from beginner to expert level.