ConsensusvsLiner
Two research tools, the same questions. Every answer comes from the official pages, with the date we checked. Nothing here is ranked.
last check 2026-10-10
Consensus
by Consensus
Consensus is an AI academic search engine that finds peer-reviewed papers and summarizes them with in-line citations; a beginner might try it to see what published studies say about a question.
All Consensus factsLiner
by Liner
Liner is an AI search and research assistant that answers questions with line-by-line citations, has a Scholar Mode limited to academic sources, and includes a writing tool; a beginner might try it to find sources for an essay.
All Liner factsWhere they differ
- Search scopeConsensus: Peer-reviewed research papers (over 220 million; sources include Semantic Scholar, OpenAlex, Consensus's own crawl and publisher partnerships); optional Medical Mode subsetLiner: Web sources including academic papers and websites; Scholar Mode limits answers to academic journals and peer-reviewed articles
- Export formatsConsensus: CSV, RISLiner: PDF, DOCX
- PlatformsConsensus: WebLiner: Web, Mobile app, Desktop app
Same answer, but for different plans or with different conditions: file upload, traceable citations. The table below shows the conditions.
Confirmed for only one of the two so far: AI models. The table below shows which.
Same answer for both: free plan.
Plans and prices
As listed on each official pricing page, in the currency we were shown. No conversion, no rounding.
Consensus
- Free Free plan$0.00 / month
- Pro Paid, individual$144.00 / year, annual commitment
- Deep Paid, individual$540.00 / year, annual commitment
- Teams TeamPrice not confirmed
Liner
- Free Free plan$0.00 / month
- Pro Paid, individual$17.99 / month
- Max Paid, individual$35.99 / month
- Team TeamPrice not confirmed
Full comparison with sources
| Research | ||
| What it is for | ||
| What it is for | Consensus is an AI academic search engine that finds peer-reviewed papers and summarizes them with in-line citations; a beginner might try it to see what published studies say about a question. | Liner is an AI search and research assistant that answers questions with line-by-line citations, has a Scholar Mode limited to academic sources, and includes a writing tool; a beginner might try it to find sources for an essay. |
| Good for | ||
| Editor's suggestion |
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| Cost | ||
| Free planA free plan that is not time-limited. Trials are listed separately. |
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| Plans and pricesOriginal currency and billing period. No conversion. |
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| AI models | ||
| AI modelsThe AI models the official pages name for this product. Line-ups change often, so check the date. |
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| Input and output | ||
| File uploadYou can give it files such as PDFs or documents. |
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| Checking facts | ||
| Traceable citationsAnswers link to the specific sources they rely on. |
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| Search scopeWhat it searches: the open web, academic papers, or both. |
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| Workflow | ||
| Export formatsFile formats you can download results in. |
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| PlatformsWhere the product is offered: web, desktop app, mobile app, or editor extension. |
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| Not yet confirmed | ||
| AccountWhether you need to sign up before using it. |
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| Where it is availableCountries or regions where the provider says it can be used. |
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| Usage limitsHow much each plan lets you use it, in the official pages' own words. |
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| Context windowHow much text it can take in at once (a long document, a long chat). |
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| Sources and confidence | ||
| Confidence | Last checked 2026-10-10 Not yet confirmed: AI models, Account, Where it is available, Usage limits, Context window | Last checked 2026-10-10 Not yet confirmed: Account, Where it is available, Usage limits, Context window |
What it is for
What it is for
Consensus:
Consensus is an AI academic search engine that finds peer-reviewed papers and summarizes them with in-line citations; a beginner might try it to see what published studies say about a question.
Liner:
Liner is an AI search and research assistant that answers questions with line-by-line citations, has a Scholar Mode limited to academic sources, and includes a writing tool; a beginner might try it to find sources for an essay.
Editor's suggestion
Consensus:
- Editor's suggestion: Try summarising a document you are allowed to share, then check the summary against the original.
- Editor's suggestion: Use it to find sources on a specific question, then open each citation to confirm it says what the answer claims.
Liner:
- Editor's suggestion: Try summarising a document you are allowed to share, then check the summary against the original.
- Editor's suggestion: Use it to find sources on a specific question, then open each citation to confirm it says what the answer claims.
Cost
Free plan
A free plan that is not time-limited. Trials are listed separately.
Consensus:
- Supportedconsensus.appchecked 2026-10-10
Free plan
Liner:
- Supportedliner.comchecked 2026-10-10
Free plan
Plans and prices
Consensus:
- Free (Free plan)$0.00 / month
- Pro (Paid, individual)$144.00 / year, annual commitment
- Deep (Paid, individual)$540.00 / year, annual commitment
- Teams (Team)Price not confirmed
- All plan details and sources
Liner:
- Free (Free plan)$0.00 / month
- Pro (Paid, individual)$17.99 / month
- Max (Paid, individual)$35.99 / month
- Team (Team)Price not confirmed
- All plan details and sources
AI models
AI models
The AI models the official pages name for this product. Line-ups change often, so check the date.
Consensus:
- Not yet confirmed
Liner:
- ChatGPT, Gemini, Claudeliner.comchecked 2026-10-10
Input and output
File upload
You can give it files such as PDFs or documents.
Consensus:
- Supportedintercom.helpchecked 2026-10-10
Plan not specified
Liner:
- Supportedliner.comchecked 2026-10-10
Plans: Free, Pro, Max, Team
Checking facts
Traceable citations
Answers link to the specific sources they rely on.
Consensus:
- Supportedintercom.helpchecked 2026-10-10
Plan not specified
Liner:
- Supportedliner.comchecked 2026-10-10
Plans: Free, Pro, Max, Team
Search scope
What it searches: the open web, academic papers, or both.
Consensus:
- Peer-reviewed research papers (over 220 million; sources include Semantic Scholar, OpenAlex, Consensus's own crawl and publisher partnerships); optional Medical Mode subsetintercom.helpchecked 2026-10-10
Liner:
- Web sources including academic papers and websites; Scholar Mode limits answers to academic journals and peer-reviewed articlessupport.liner.comchecked 2026-10-10
Workflow
Export formats
File formats you can download results in.
Consensus:
- CSV, RISintercom.helpchecked 2026-10-10
Liner:
- PDF, DOCXliner.comchecked 2026-10-10
Platforms
Where the product is offered: web, desktop app, mobile app, or editor extension.
Consensus:
- Webintercom.helpchecked 2026-10-10
Liner:
- Web, Mobile app, Desktop appsupport.liner.com +1checked 2026-10-10
Not yet confirmed
Account
Whether you need to sign up before using it.
Consensus:
- Not yet confirmed
Liner:
- Not yet confirmed
Where it is available
Countries or regions where the provider says it can be used.
Consensus:
- Not yet confirmed
Liner:
- Not yet confirmed
Usage limits
How much each plan lets you use it, in the official pages' own words.
Consensus:
- Not yet confirmed
Liner:
- Not yet confirmed
Context window
How much text it can take in at once (a long document, a long chat).
Consensus:
- Not yet confirmed
Liner:
- Not yet confirmed
Sources and confidence
Confidence
Consensus:
Last checked 2026-10-10
Not yet confirmed: AI models, Account, Where it is available, Usage limits, Context window
Liner:
Last checked 2026-10-10
Not yet confirmed: Account, Where it is available, Usage limits, Context window