OpenDraft is an open source AI research draft generator that uses 19 specialized AI agents to create academic paper drafts with verified citations. It searches real academic databases (Semantic Scholar, CrossRef, arXiv) and produces properly formatted papers.

How does the multi-agent system work?

OpenDraft uses 19 specialized AI agents working in sequence: Planner agents break down topics, Scout agents search academic databases, Signal agents evaluate paper relevance, Scribe agents write content, and Architect agents structure and format the output. This separation of concerns ensures each task is handled by a purpose-built agent.

Are the citations verified?

Yes, all citations are verified against real academic databases including Semantic Scholar (200M+ papers), CrossRef, and arXiv. Each source includes DOI links for independent verification. Unlike ChatGPT, OpenDraft cannot hallucinate citations because they come directly from database queries.

Yes, OpenDraft is 100% free and open source under the MIT license. You only pay for AI API usage (OpenAI or Google), which typically costs $2-5 per research draft. There are no subscription fees or usage limits.

How long does it take to generate a paper?

Generation time depends on complexity: research papers take about 10 minutes, bachelor's thesis drafts about 12 minutes, master's thesis drafts about 15 minutes, and PhD dissertation drafts about 20 minutes.

How does OpenDraft compare to ChatGPT for research?

ChatGPT frequently hallucinates academic citations (30-50% of generated citations are fabricated). OpenDraft's architecture makes this impossible because citations come from real database queries, not AI generation. OpenDraft is purpose-built for academic research with verified citations.

Can I submit OpenDraft papers as my own work?

OpenDraft generates drafts to help start your research. The output should be reviewed, fact-checked, edited in your own voice, enhanced with your original analysis, and used according to your institution's AI policy. Always check your university's guidelines on AI-assisted writing.

Does OpenDraft store my data?

No. OpenDraft runs entirely on your computer when self-hosted. Your research topics, generated papers, and API keys are never sent to external servers. You maintain complete control over your data and research.

What export formats does OpenDraft support?

OpenDraft exports to PDF, Word (.docx), and LaTeX formats. All exports include properly formatted citations in your chosen style (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.).

Is OpenDraft suitable for PhD dissertations?

Yes, OpenDraft is designed to handle dissertation-length literature reviews and research drafts. The multi-agent system can process complex topics and generate extensive drafts with comprehensive citations from 200M+ academic papers.

Why is OpenDraft open source?

OpenDraft is open source (MIT license) for transparency, academic integrity, and customization. You can inspect exactly how citations are verified, how agents work, and modify the code for your needs. This matters for academic work where you need to explain your tools.

What databases does OpenDraft use for citations?

OpenDraft searches Semantic Scholar (200M+ papers), CrossRef (130M+ DOIs), and arXiv (2M+ preprints). This covers virtually all peer-reviewed academic literature across all disciplines.

How do I get started with OpenDraft?

Setup takes about 10 minutes: install Docker, clone the repository, add your OpenAI API key, and run the application. Detailed instructions are available in the GitHub repository's Quick Start guide.

Can I use OpenDraft for literature reviews?

Yes, literature reviews are one of OpenDraft's primary use cases. The multi-agent system excels at finding relevant papers, synthesizing findings, and creating comprehensive literature review drafts with verified citations.

Will my paper be flagged as AI-generated?

AI detection tools vary in accuracy. We recommend using OpenDraft as a starting point, then substantially editing the content in your own voice. OpenDraft generates drafts, not finished papers—your editing and original analysis are essential.

What AI models does OpenDraft use?

OpenDraft supports multiple AI providers including OpenAI (GPT-4), Google (Gemini), and Anthropic (Claude). You can choose based on your preference and API access. The multi-agent architecture works across all supported models.

OpenDraft vs Paperpal

Paperpal focuses on academic language: grammar, clarity, and journal-style editing of text you have already written. OpenDraft focuses on producing the draft in the first place, with citations verified against academic databases. They address opposite ends of the writing process.

Editing vs drafting

Paperpal is a polishing tool. You bring a manuscript and it improves the language — grammar, concision, academic tone, and journal-readiness. It is excellent for refining near-final text, especially for non-native English writers.

OpenDraft produces the structured first draft: it plans the document, searches the literature, and writes sections with formatted, verifiable citations. It gives you something to edit rather than editing what you already have.

Citations and sourcing

Paperpal is not primarily a citation engine; its strength is language. OpenDraft's defining feature is that every citation in a generated draft is a real database record with a DOI link, so the bibliography cannot be fabricated. Verify that each source backs the claim it supports.

Open source vs subscription

OpenDraft is open source (MIT) and self-hostable, with a hosted option on openpaper.dev. Paperpal is a subscription product. If you want to inspect, customize, or self-host your tool — and keep data local — the open-source model is the differentiator.

Paperpal: academic language editing and proofreading, subscription.
OpenDraft: drafting with database-verified citations, open source.

Use them together

A natural workflow: draft and cite with OpenDraft, then run the text through Paperpal (or any editor) for language polish before submission. Drafting and editing are different jobs, and using a purpose-built tool for each tends to produce the best result.

Frequently asked questions

Does Paperpal write papers for you?

Paperpal mainly edits and improves text you already have. To generate a structured draft with verified citations, a drafting tool like OpenDraft is purpose-built.

Is there a free, open-source alternative to Paperpal?

For drafting, OpenDraft is an open-source (MIT) option you can self-host. It targets a different stage than Paperpal — producing the draft rather than polishing final language.

Try OpenDraft

Open-source AI research paper writer with citations verified against real academic databases. Run it yourself, or use the hosted version.

Try the hosted version View on GitHub