Connected Papers has not issued a public promo code in over two years, according to SimplyCodes historical tracking, which means the real savings levers are structural, not coupon-based. The Free plan generates up to 5 graphs per month at zero cost, the Academic plan removes that cap at USD 6/month (billed annually at USD 72), and SimplyCodes tracks 889 codes across comparable research and AI tools for shoppers who want to explore alternatives. Here is how to match each path to your research volume.
The Free Plan Covers Up to 5 Graphs Every Month at No Cost
Connected Papers offers a fully functional Free plan that generates up to 5 graphs per month with all core features included, making it the correct starting point for anyone doing occasional literature mapping. According to Connected Papers's official pricing, the free tier does not strip out core functionality, so light users lose nothing by staying on it. If your work involves mapping a handful of citation networks per semester or per project, the 5-graph monthly allowance likely covers your needs without any payment. Track how often you hit the ceiling before deciding whether a paid tier is justified.
The Academic Plan Removes the Graph Cap at USD 6/Month for Eligible Users
The Academic plan costs USD 6/month, billed annually at USD 72, and lifts the 5-graph monthly limit that constrains the Free plan. According to Connected Papers's official pricing, this tier is designated for academics, non-profits, and personal use, and it undercuts the Business plan (priced at USD 20/month for commercial or organizational use) by a wide margin. Researchers who consistently exceed five graphs in a month should verify their eligibility for the Academic rate rather than defaulting to the Business tier, since the two plans differ by USD 14/month for what is functionally the same graph-generation access. Confirm eligibility on connectedpapers.com before selecting a plan.
ResearchRabbit and Litmaps Offer Free Citation Mapping Without a Paid Tier
ResearchRabbit and Litmaps both provide free citation-mapping tools that directly overlap with what Connected Papers does, giving unlimited-mapping users an alternative when the paid tiers do not fit a budget. ResearchRabbit offers a free core product with no published usage cap, and Litmaps features a free tier for visual citation mapping, so a researcher who exceeds the 5-graph Free plan ceiling but cannot justify a subscription can supplement their workflow at no cost. Beyond these two tools, SimplyCodes maintains 889 codes across similar research and AI platforms, meaning active discounts exist on paid alternatives even though Connected Papers itself has stayed code-free for over two years. For researchers whose entire toolkit spans several graphing and citation apps, splitting work between Connected Papers's Free plan and a free alternative like ResearchRabbit can eliminate the need for any paid subscription at all.