Frequently Asked Questions
General questions about Apex Scholar, answered in plain English.
What is Apex Scholar?
A free, open-source web app that helps researchers find papers, organize their work, write manuscripts, and meet deadlines—all in one place.
Do I need to install software?
No. You can use the live demo at apex-scholar.vercel.app. If you want to host your own instance (for a lab or department), we provide installation instructions for admins.
Is it really free?
Yes. The software is open-source (MIT license). You only pay if you choose to use paid third-party APIs beyond their free tiers (e.g., extra SerpAPI searches).
Where is my data stored?
In Puter.js cloud storage. You get 1 GB free. If you enable End-to-End Encryption, your data is encrypted before it leaves your browser.
Can I collaborate with my team?
Not yet. Apex Scholar is currently built for individual researchers. Team collaboration is on the roadmap.
Which databases can I search?
ArXiv, Google Scholar, PubMed, Semantic Scholar, and OpenAlex—all from one search box.
Do I need API keys?
For the demo instance, the admin provides shared keys. If you self-host, you’ll need to obtain your own SerpAPI and NCBI keys (free tiers available).
What is End-to-End Encryption?
A security feature that encrypts your data in your browser so only you can decrypt it. It’s optional but recommended if your research is sensitive.
Can I use Zotero/Mendeley?
Not directly yet. You can export a backup and import it into those tools eventually. Reference syncing is planned.
Does it work on mobile?
The app is responsive, so it works on tablets and phones, but the experience is best on a desktop for reading and writing.
How do I cite a paper?
Go to Resources, click the quote icon on a paper’s card, choose your citation style, and copy the result. Full bibliography export is coming soon.
What if I find a bug or want a feature?
Open an issue on GitHub. We welcome contributions.
Who builds this?
Apex Scholar is created by Sathwik and maintained by the Scholarkit community. It’s a labor of love to make research easier.
Still have questions?
Check Troubleshooting or join our Discord.