TABLE 1.

Review of multi-phase tools for systematic reviews

Program name and hyperlink	Phase(s) of SR supported	Key features	Limitations	Cost	Format
Microsoft Excel®	Study screening (title/abstract & full-text phases) Data extraction Risk of bias assessment	Customizability	Requires extensive time to customize to user preferences; easy to overwrite information; difficult to ensure accuracy with file manipulation	License must be purchased for the program	Web-based online tool (through Microsoft365) and downloadable application
Covidence	Study screening (Title/Abstract & Full-text phase) Data extraction Risk of bias assessment	Integrates into other programs (compatible with reference managers, RevMan, etc.)	Must export data to another program to do meta-analysis	Must purchase either a single review, a small package of reviews, or organizational subscription	Web-based online tool
DistillerSR	Study screening (title/abstract & full-text phases) Data extraction Risk of bias assessment	Integrates into other programs (compatible with reference managers)	Cost	Offers monthly paid subscriptions for students and faculty with additional features as well as academic institutional subscriptions	Web-based online tool
EPPI Reviewer	Study screening (Title/Abstract & full-text phase) Data extraction and synthesis Risk of bias assessment, report writing	Helpful for meta-analyses, narrative reviews, qualitative reviews, or other reviews that will use thematic synthesis; very similar to qualitative analysis programs	Cost	Monthly subscriptions either for an individual user or a sharable review or site licenses for organizations	Web-based online tool
JBI SUMARI	Protocol development Study screening (Title/Abstract & full-text phase) Data extraction and synthesis Risk of bias assessment, report writing	Integrates into other programs (compatible with reference managers) Helps with report writing	Cost	Annual subscriptions at the individual or organization level	Web-based online tool
PICO Portal	Study screening (Title/Abstract & full-text phase) Data extraction	Integrates into other programs (compatible with reference managers)	No risk of bias assessment	Free individual license (one project per user) and Paid team licenses	Web-based online tool
RevMan Web or RevMan 5	Preparation of protocols and full reviews, including text, characteristics of studies, comparison tables, and study data; Risk of bias visualizations Meta-Analysis	Can import from Covidence, can create graphical presentation of forest plots	Web-based tool is meant for Cochrane reviews, but downloadable application can be used for other types of reviews	Free for purely academic use	Web-based online tool and downloadable application
GRADEPro	Evidence tables and determining the overall certainty of evidence	Can import from reference managers and meta-analysis software such as RevMan	Primarily made for evidence-based guideline development; must utilize other programs for other portions of the review	Free individual license for up to 3 team members with up to 25 questions and Team and Enterprise licensing options	Web-based online tool