Explainpaper

What it does

Explainpaper takes uploaded research papers and returns plain-English explanations of the passages you highlight. Select a word, sentence, or section to get a simpler explanation generated by an AI model, then ask follow-up questions about the paper.

Use it to work through dense academic reading faster. The free plan covers unlimited highlight explanations, follow-up questions, and Zotero library import. Pro adds explanations of graphs, figures, and equations, automatic paper outlines with clickable page references, and saved highlights.

It suits researchers, students, and professionals reading outside their core field who need help with jargon. Access runs in the browser at explainpaper.com with a free account. Pro is a paid monthly subscription after a 7-day free trial, and a yearly billing option is offered at a discount. Because explanations are AI-generated, check technical claims against the original paper.

What it can do

• Highlight text in an uploaded research paper and receive a simplified AI explanation
• Ask follow-up questions about a paper
• Click graphs, figures, and equations to explain them (Pro)
• Generate automatic paper outlines with clickable page references (Pro)
• Save highlights and explanations (Pro)
• Import a Zotero library (free plan)

Works with

• Zotero

Example workflows

Understanding a dense methods section

Input: an uploaded research paper. Steps: highlight a confusing sentence in the methods section and request an explanation; ask a follow-up question about a term. Output: a simpler explanation of the passage and an answer to the follow-up question.

Getting oriented in a new paper (Pro)

Input: an uploaded research paper. Steps: generate the automatic outline, then open a section through its page reference and click a figure to request its explanation. Output: a section map with page links and an explanation of the selected figure.

Before you choose

• Explanations are generated by AI models; verify technical details against the original paper.
• Advanced explanations of figures, equations, and outlines require the Pro plan; the free plan uses basic AI models.
• Pro is a paid subscription after a 7-day trial; Teams pricing requires contacting sales.

Listed under

• Data
• Research
• Academic papers
• Academic reading
• AI explanations
• Explanations
• Paper summaries
• PDF reader

Get started

Create a free account and upload a first paper.

1. Create a free account at explainpaper.com using the sign-up link.
2. Upload your first paper through the web app.
3. Highlight a passage you find confusing to request an explanation; optionally import a Zotero library from the free plan.

Plans are billed through Stripe. Pro starts with a 7-day free trial, then $16/month; a yearly option is offered at a discount.

7-day free trial.

Source: explainpaper.com/pricing, checked 29 Oct 2026. Prices can change; check before you buy.

Sources for this overview

Product pages, documentation, and pricing checked 29 Oct 2026. Each source supports part of the overview; availability and prices can change.

• Explainpaper ↗www.explainpaper.com
• Pricing - Explainpaper ↗www.explainpaper.com

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explainpaper.com: product, pricing and policy pages

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knowledge_base

Last checked 29 Oct 2026. Every field keeps its source and date; unknown means we couldn’t confirm it.