OpenEvidence vs UpToDate — and where Evidence fits
Two very different tools get compared constantly: OpenEvidence (AI Q&A, free for verified U.S. clinicians at the time of review) and UpToDate (paid, expert-written editorial reference). Here's the honest breakdown — and where Evidence, a third option, fits.
| Evidence | OpenEvidence | UpToDate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free unlimited evidence consults (account). Full clinic — records, scheduling, booking page — US$19/mo after a 7-day trial. | Free for verified U.S. clinicians (at the time of review). | Individual subscription, typically hundreds of dollars per year. |
| Who can use it | Available internationally — no clinician verification gate. English and Portuguese. | U.S. clinician verification (NPI) required. | Anyone who subscribes. |
| Format | Direct answers with references and evidence strength. | Direct answers with references. | Expert-written topic reviews. |
| Patient context | Answers can run inside the patient's record: history, notes and attached labs join the consult. | Standalone Q&A. | Reference only. |
| Practice operations | Built-in: smart records, scheduling with e-mail confirmations (Sofia), and a public booking page. | No. | No. |
It isn't really a two-way race: Q&A tools answer questions, references organize knowledge, and Evidence turns the answer into action inside your own practice — record, schedule, booking page. Try the free consults and judge the answers yourself.
Judge the answers yourself — free
Unlimited evidence consults with cited sources. 3 consults without even creating an account.
Ask my first questionCommon questions
Which one should I pick?
If you're a verified U.S. clinician wanting pure Q&A, OpenEvidence is a strong free option. If you want curated editorial depth and don't mind paying, UpToDate is the classic. If you want free cited answers available internationally — that also know your patients and run your practice — that's Evidence.
Can I use Evidence alongside them?
Of course. Evidence consults are free and unlimited, so many professionals use it as the fast first pass — and stay for the records, scheduling and booking page.
All product names and trademarks belong to their respective owners. This is an independent editorial comparison based on publicly available information — last reviewed July 2026. Details may change; corrections welcome at ajuda@evidence.clinic. Evidence supports, and does not replace, the clinical judgment of licensed professionals.