ChatPDF vs Consensus

ChatPDF and Consensus sit in the same category. The verdict below is calculated for each role from the tasks, the role fit and the price.

Short answer

ChatPDF wins for 9 of 20 roles in our data. Consensus starts at $8.99/mo and ChatPDF at $19.99/mo on the cheapest paid plan.

Verdict by role

Role	Better choice	Why
Accountant	ChatPDF	covers 1 of this role's tasks against 0; built for this role
Lawyer	ChatPDF	covers 2 of this role's tasks against 0; built for this role
HR manager	Consensus	covers 2 of this role's tasks against 1; built for this role; cheaper entry plan
Finance manager	ChatPDF	covers 2 of this role's tasks against 1
Manager	ChatPDF	higher total score on tasks and fit
Marketer	Consensus	cheaper entry plan
Sales manager	Consensus	cheaper entry plan
Data analyst	Either one	even on tasks, Consensus is cheaper to start
Teacher	ChatPDF	higher total score on tasks and fit
Executive assistant	ChatPDF	higher total score on tasks and fit
Logistics manager	Either one	even on tasks, Consensus is cheaper to start
Procurement manager	Either one	even on tasks, Consensus is cheaper to start
Secretary	Either one	even on tasks, Consensus is cheaper to start
Recruiter	Consensus	covers 2 of this role's tasks against 1; built for this role; cheaper entry plan
HR administrator	Consensus	covers 2 of this role's tasks against 1; built for this role; cheaper entry plan
Tax consultant	ChatPDF	covers 1 of this role's tasks against 0; built for this role
Auditor	ChatPDF	covers 1 of this role's tasks against 0; built for this role
Economist	ChatPDF	covers 2 of this role's tasks against 1
Project manager	Either one	even on tasks, Consensus is cheaper to start
Social media manager	Consensus	cheaper entry plan

Side by side

	ChatPDF	Consensus
Vendor	ChatPDF	Consensus
Category	Research and search	Research and search
Free plan	Yes: A few files a day with page and size limits, a limited number of questions a day	Yes: Unlimited search, a limited number of AI summary queries a month
Cheapest paid plan	Plus, $19.99/mo	Premium, $8.99/mo
Top plan	Plus, $19.99/mo	Teams, $9.99/mo
Tasks covered	2	3

ChatPDF: Upload a PDF and ask questions with page references, with no sign-up for the first files.

Consensus: Answers from research papers with a meter of how many studies agree and disagree.

Only ChatPDF covers

Only Consensus covers

Pitfalls to watch at work

ChatPDF

The file is stored on the service's server and stays in your account by default: keep NDA contracts and documents with personal data out, and delete files after work
The service reads scanned PDFs without a text layer poorly or refuses them
Check answers about amounts and dates on the cited page, because the model rounds

Consensus

The agreement meter counts papers without weighing their quality: one large study matters more than ten small ones
For decisions about people (hiring, evaluation) a research summary stays background information and is never the basis for the decision

FAQ

Is ChatPDF or Consensus better for work?

In our data ChatPDF is the better choice for 9 of 20 roles. The table above shows the reason for each role.

Which is cheaper, ChatPDF or Consensus?

Consensus starts at $8.99/mo and ChatPDF at $19.99/mo on the cheapest paid plan.

Do ChatPDF and Consensus have free plans?

ChatPDF: Yes. A few files a day with page and size limits, a limited number of questions a day. Consensus: Yes. Unlimited search, a limited number of AI summary queries a month.

Compare ChatPDF with

Compare Consensus with

Alternatives to ChatPDF · Alternatives to Consensus · ChatPDF pricing · Consensus pricing