Connected Papers vs Hex
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
Visual graphs of academic papers
The verdict
Both Connected Papers and Hex are credible ai machine learning tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
Connected Papers — Visual graphs of academic papers
Choose Hex if you'd rather have a higher overall rating (4.7/5). Collaborative analytics notebooks with AI.
Connected Papers vs Hex: side by side
| Dimension | Connected Papers | Hex |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free – $3/mo | Free – $36/user/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Best for | Researchers, Students | Data Teams |
| Platforms | Web | Web |
| Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.7/5Winner |
Connected Papers key facts
- Vendor
- Connected Papers
- Pricing
- Freemium — Free – $3/mo
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web
- Best for
- Researchers, Students
- Editor rating
- 4.4 / 5
- Founded
- 2020
- Headquarters
- Tel Aviv, Israel
Hex key facts
- Vendor
- Hex
- Pricing
- Freemium — Free – $36/user/mo
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web
- Best for
- Data Teams
- Editor rating
- 4.7 / 5
- Founded
- 2019
- Headquarters
- San Francisco, CA, USA
Frequently asked questions
Is Connected Papers better than Hex?
Neither is universally better — Hex edges ahead on overall rating, but the best choice depends on price, platforms, and your use case. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Connected Papers or Hex cheaper?
Connected Papers is the more affordable of the two to get started, at free – $3/mo. Connected Papers starts at free – $3/mo; Hex starts at free – $36/user/mo.
Can Connected Papers replace Hex?
Yes for most teams — both are ai machine learning tools with heavily overlapping features. The main trade-offs are pricing and platform support, covered in the comparison above.