ASReview

ASReview is open-source software for AI-assisted screening in systematic reviews and other evidence-synthesis workflows. Coordinated at Utrecht University, it uses active learning to prioritize records while keeping the researcher as the final decision-maker. ASReview LAB can run locally, in a self-hosted server or cloud setup, or through Docker, so teams can choose where their review data is processed.

✨ Key Features

• Prioritize records with active learning — Label records as relevant or irrelevant and let the model learn from those decisions to surface more relevant texts.
• Keep a human in the loop — The researcher remains the final decision-maker while the AI assists with ordering and screening rather than silently replacing review judgments.
• Run screening locally or self-hosted — Install ASReview LAB on macOS, Linux, or Windows, or run it on a server, cloud environment, or Docker deployment.
• Import and export review data — The information-specialist page describes support for multiple file formats and a circular workflow that can re-import exports into reference-management software.
• Use open models and transparent decisions — ASReview emphasizes open-source models, traceable steps, and retractable decisions so teams can inspect how AI and human choices shaped the screening.
• Simulate and benchmark models — Simulation tools let users import labelled datasets, test models, compare performance, and inspect metrics before applying a workflow to a live review.
• Extend the workflow with project tools — The project lists DORY, Datatools, Insights, Makita, datasets, templates, and other companion software for models, data preparation, visualization, and simulation.
• Support collaborative and large-scale screening — Server and cloud deployment can make projects accessible through a browser and support team workflows; the project also presents Crowdscreen for AI-proposed records reviewed by groups of experts.

💳 Pricing

• ASReview LAB — Free and open source. The official information-specialist page says there are no licensing fees, subscriptions, or hidden costs; users may still incur costs for their own computer, server, or cloud infrastructure.
• Paid education and support — ASReview offers optional courses, in-house training, and events on its website. These are separate from the free software and should be priced from the relevant event or training page.
• Pricing note — No hosted SaaS subscription price was listed for the core ASReview software on the reviewed official pages.

⚖️ Alternatives Compared

🎯 Use Cases

• Systematic-review researchers: prioritize title and abstract records while preserving a documented human decision process.
• Information specialists: connect screening to reference managers, import multiple formats, and re-import exports into an established evidence workflow.
• Data scientists: simulate labelled datasets, compare model configurations, and inspect performance metrics before deployment.
• Universities and research institutes: run the software locally or on institutional infrastructure so review data remains under organizational control.
• Policy and guideline teams: screen large evidence collections while keeping decisions reproducible and auditable.
• Developers and open-science contributors: extend the project through its open-source repository, templates, plugins, and companion tools.