LitSynth
Review draftingBest for
Screening, extraction, and cited synthesis in one workflow
Keep in mind
Does not replace dual independent screening or Rayyan conflict resolution
Research tool comparison
Rayyan alternatives: from screening decisions to a cited synthesis
Rayyan is excellent for collaborative title and abstract screening with conflict resolution. LitSynth picks up where screening ends: it carries the included set into evidence extraction and a cited synthesis draft, so you do not export, re-import, and re-format between tools. Many teams use Rayyan for dual screening and LitSynth for drafting.
Alternatives at a glance
Choose by the job you need to finish
Elicit
Best for
Structured data extraction from PDFs
Keep in mind
Extraction tables are not a cited literature review draft
Covidence
Best for
Full systematic review management with dual screening
Keep in mind
Higher cost and slower workflow; synthesis still happens elsewhere
Rayyan and LitSynth by workflow stage
| Task | Rayyan | LitSynth |
|---|---|---|
| Primary job | Collaborative title and abstract screening | Screening, extraction, and cited synthesis in one workflow |
| Screening mode | Manual labeling with conflict resolution for dual reviewers | AI recommendations with reasons plus human override |
| After screening | Export included set; synthesis happens in a separate tool | Extract evidence and draft synthesis without leaving the workflow |
| Evidence extraction | Not included | Structured evidence cards per included paper |
| Output format | Screening decisions and labels | Evidence table plus cited review draft with audit notes |
| Dual screening | Built-in conflict resolution | Single-reviewer with AI support; not a dual-screening platform |
Choose Rayyan if…
- Your protocol requires dual independent screening with conflict resolution.
- Your team already standardizes on Rayyan and only needs screening.
- You are running a Cochrane-grade review with formal screening governance.
Choose LitSynth if…
- You have finished screening and need to move to extraction and synthesis.
- You want AI screening recommendations with reasons, not just manual labels.
- You want screening, extraction, and a cited draft connected in one workflow.
- You are doing a rapid or PRISMA-lite review without dual-reviewer requirements.
This comparison helps when
- Researchers who finish screening and need a cited draft
- Teams that want screening and synthesis connected
- Reviewers who want AI extraction into evidence tables
What it cannot decide for you
- Replacing Rayyan dual independent screening or conflict resolution
- Teams whose protocol mandates a specific screening platform
Frequently asked questions
Should I replace Rayyan with LitSynth?
Not necessarily. If your protocol requires dual independent screening with conflict resolution, Rayyan is purpose-built for that. Many teams use Rayyan for screening and LitSynth for the extraction and synthesis steps that follow. If you are doing a rapid or PRISMA-lite review with single-reviewer screening, LitSynth covers the full workflow.
Can I import my Rayyan included set into LitSynth?
You can bring your included papers into LitSynth by searching for the same topic or adding papers manually. The workflow is designed to start from a research question, but the screening and extraction stages accept a pre-screened set.
Does LitSynth support dual screening like Rayyan?
No. LitSynth provides AI-assisted screening with stated reasons and human override, but it is not a dual-reviewer screening platform. For formal systematic reviews requiring dual independent screening, use Rayyan or Covidence for that step and LitSynth for extraction and synthesis.
What does LitSynth do that Rayyan does not?
LitSynth generates structured evidence cards from each included paper, assembles them into an evidence table, and drafts a cited literature review from that evidence. Rayyan stops at the screening decision; the synthesis still needs to happen in a separate tool.
Sources reviewed
Verify current Rayyan details
Product capabilities and plans change. This comparison was last reviewed on 2026-08-23 against the official pages below.