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researchgpt

Free

3.6k

FreeFree tier
Inputs: file, urlOutputs: text
Type
Open Source

About researchgpt

ResearchGPT is an open-source, LLM-based research assistant that enables users to have a conversation with a research paper in PDF format. Built as a FastAPI application, it allows users to either provide a link to a PDF hosted online or upload their own PDF. The tool extracts text from the PDF, creates embeddings from that text, and uses the OpenAI API to generate responses to user questions. It also returns the source text and page number used to generate each response. The project is no longer actively maintained; its creator notes that a more advanced version is available at chat.portal.so and will be open-sourced soon. ResearchGPT requires a local Redis instance for storing embeddings and an OpenAI API key for operation.

Key Features

Conversational interface for PDF research papers
Supports both PDF URLs and local file uploads
Extracts text from PDFs and creates embeddings
Generates responses using the OpenAI API
Returns source text and page number for each response
Open-source and free to use
Requires local Redis for embedding storage

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Open-source and free to use
  • Enables natural language conversation with PDF content
  • Provides source citations for generated answers
  • Supports both online PDF links and local uploads
  • Lightweight FastAPI implementation
Cons
  • No longer actively maintained; repository is archived
  • Requires local Redis installation and OpenAI API key
  • Free tier of OpenAI API may have usage limits
  • Limited to PDF input; does not support other document formats
  • Dependent on OpenAI API availability and pricing

Best For

Interacting with academic research papersSummarizing or querying specific sections of a PDFExtracting information from technical documentsStudying or reviewing lengthy PDFs efficientlyBuilding custom research workflows with open-source code

FAQ

Is ResearchGPT free to use?
Yes, the code is open-source and free. However, you need your own OpenAI API key, which may have associated costs. Usage limits depend on your OpenAI plan.
Can I upload my own PDF files?
Yes, ResearchGPT supports uploading local PDF files as well as providing a URL to a PDF hosted online.
Does ResearchGPT require an internet connection?
Yes, it requires internet access to communicate with the OpenAI API. The tool also runs a local Redis server for storing embeddings.
Is ResearchGPT still maintained?
The GitHub repository was archived on November 21, 2023, and is no longer actively maintained. A more advanced version is available at chat.portal.so.
What programming language is ResearchGPT built with?
ResearchGPT is built with Python using the FastAPI framework.
Does ResearchGPT support multiple PDFs at once?
Based on the available information, the tool appears to handle one PDF at a time. This should be verified in the documentation.