Table 3.
Comparing screening tools.
| Tool | Pros | Cons | Costs | Special features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COVIDENCE[32] | Efficient automation for title and abstract screening. Supports collaborative screening and data extraction. | High cost relative to other tools. Limited to 5 reviewers on the basic plan. | $289 USD/yr (basic plan). Additional fees for more users or features. | Provides bulk upload of references, integrates with citation managers like EndNote, and offers conflict resolution tools for reviewers. |
| Rayyan[44] | Highly sensitive and specific for title screening in systematic reviews. User-friendly interface. | Free version is limited to small projects; full functionality requires a paid subscription. Some features, like advanced collaboration tools and full integration with reference managers, are only available in the paid version. | Free for basic use; pricing starts at $100/yr for premium features. | Utilizes AI-driven text mining methods for semiautomated screening. Allows for blinding and unblinding of reviewer decisions, and offers tagging and coding options. |
| Abstrackr[46] | Facilitates semiautomated abstract screening with a user-friendly interface. Provides objective scoring in reviewer assessment. | Limited functions: lacks full-text screening, citation management integration, and advanced reporting features. | Free | Uses predictive modeling to suggest the relevance of abstracts. Can be used for collaborative reviews, though it may require more manual effort for conflict resolution. |
| ASReview[47] | Uses active learning to prioritize records for review, improving efficiency in identifying relevant studies. | Limited features beyond screening, such as no built-in citation management or advanced data extraction tools. | Free, Open-source software. | Incorporates machine learning algorithms for iterative screening, which adapts based on reviewer input to improve the relevance of subsequent records. |
| JBI SUMARI[33] | Offers an intuitive and aesthetically pleasing dashboard, guiding users through each stage of the systematic review process with large clickable buttons and fillable boxes. | The software does not support title and abstract screening, also does not allow for the upload of full-text studies, focusing instead on final reviews. | $130 USD per annum. First-time users can access a 14-d free trial to evaluate the software’s features | JBI SUMARI supports 3 different types of data synthesis, simplifying the creation of forest plots and meta-aggregative flowcharts. |