Academic version of GPT

What is the academic version of GPT?

The academic version of GPT is currently known as “Academic · Academic Assistant”; it is an online tool designed for scientific reading and academic writing. It offers multiple rounds of dialogue, text refinement for academic purposes, translation services, as well as full-text translation of PDF files, and can be used right after accessing the website.

As of August 2026, the online platform has been upgraded to a new, lightweight interface; its functions differ significantly from those of the traditional GPT Academic open-source interface. In the content of the directory, it is necessary to present information on the “current online service” and the “complete open-source project” separately.

Core functions of the current online version

• Academic multi-round dialogue: Continuous questioning around research issues, with context retained within the current session.
• Chinese polishing: Improve the clarity, grammar, and readability of paragraphs in Chinese papers.
• English polishing: Adjusting the expression, sentence structure, and academic tone of an English paper.
• English grammar correction: Identify and fix spelling, grammar, and expression errors.
• Translate Chinese academic texts into English.
• English to Chinese: Translate the content of English papers into Chinese.
• Academic explanation: Explaining professional texts in a more understandable way.
• Local PDF translation: Upload a paper to generate a bilingual version as well as a pure translation.
• arXiv translation: Automatic download and processing after entering the paper number or link.
• Model selection: You can switch between a fast model and an equilibrium model.
• Depth of reasoning: Multiple rounds of dialogue support four levels of reasoning, ranging from the fastest to the most sophisticated.
• Stream output: Answers, revisions, and translation results will be displayed gradually.

Online version feature navigation

Currently available models

The list of models tested in August 2026 includes GPT-5 Nano and GPT-5.6 Luna, with GPT-5 Nano being the default choice. The names of the models and their availability are determined by the site’s backend configuration, and they may change in the future.

Consider how to choose the intensity of thought.

The intensity of thinking is only displayed on the multi-turn conversation page; tasks related to editing and translation are handled by the backend using simpler processing methods. Higher levels of complexity usually require more time, and they do not guarantee that the results will be accurate.

How to conduct multiple rounds of academic dialogue

1. Choose a model that is suitable for the task’s complexity.
2. Select the level of thinking intensity from Minimal, Low, Medium, or High.
3. Enter a clear research question and provide background information such as the discipline, subject, and objectives.
4. Read the flow-based responses and examine the terms, definitions, assumptions, and reasoning steps.
5. Continue to ask about evidence, counterexamples, research limitations, or alternative explanations.
6. To change the theme, click on a new session to clear the current context.
7. Copy the valuable conclusions into your notes and go back to the original source to verify them.

How to polish a paper

1. Keep a copy of the original draft first, to avoid being unable to compare revisions later on.
2. Choose Chinese polishing, English polishing, or English grammar correction based on the language of the original text.
3. Submit one logically complete paragraph at a time; do not paste the entire paper all at once.
4. Keep formulas, variables, reference numbers, and technical terms in the text.
5. After it is generated, compare each sentence with the original to check whether its meaning has changed.
6. Manual restoration or adjustment of technical terms, causal relationships, and the strength of conclusions.
7. Finally, unify the terminology, tense, voice, and writing style throughout the text.

How to carry out academic translation

1. Confirm whether a translation from Chinese to English, from English to Chinese, or an explanation of academic content is required.
2. Split the paragraphs appropriately into headings, main text, formulas, and citation boundaries.
3. First, create a glossary of key terms to avoid multiple translations for the same term.
4. Submit the text and wait for the streaming results to be generated.
5. Check for negation words, conditions, quantities, tenses, and logical connectors.
6. Compare the translation with the abstract, tables, and methods sections.
7. The final language review is carried out by someone familiar with the subject.

Full PDF translation

The current page allows the uploading of local PDF files, with a maximum file size of 100MB. Users can choose to have the text translated from English to Chinese or from Chinese to English; once the translation is complete, they can download both the bilingual version and the version with only the translated text.

• Click or drag to select the PDF file.
• After successful upload, select the translation direction.
• Start the translation and view the real-time processing logs.
• Large documents may take several minutes or even longer.
• The bilingual version is suitable for comparing paragraph by paragraph with the original text.
• The pure translation version is suitable for continuous reading and subsequent editing.
• Scanning PDFs, complex formulas, and multi-column layouts may affect the results.
• Confidential papers, unpublished manuscripts under review, and sensitive data should not be uploaded to public services.

Translation of arXiv papers

Users can enter the arXiv paper identifier or link, and the system will create a translation task. The interface indicates that priority is given to processing LaTeX source files; if that isn’t possible, the system will fall back to PDF files, and cached results may be reused.

1. Copy the arXiv ID or public link of the target paper.
2. Paste it into the arXiv input field on the PDF translation page.
3. Submit the task and confirm the paper number identified by the system.
4. View the logs for the downloading, parsing, and translation stages.
5. Wait for the task to complete successfully, then download the bilingual version, the plain translation, or the LaTeX output.
6. Manual random checks are conducted on formulas, references, figure captions, and tables.

Actual measurement status of the online version

At the time of verification, the list of models loaded successfully; multiple rounds of dialogue could be submitted without logging in, with results returned in real time. A brief test on academic concepts yielded metadata such as the name of the model, the amount of tokens used, and the time taken for a response.

Price and usage quota

As of August 2026, the current online version does not display information regarding members, points, package counts, or payment options; it is possible to use multiple rounds of dialogue without logging in. The page does not reveal the daily limit on the number of interactions, the number of PDF pages, or the duration for which files can be retained.

Free online services may be affected by server capacity, the cost of models, and their maintenance status. For large-scale, long-term use or by teams, it should not be assumed that there are unlimited quotas or a guarantee of service availability.

What use cases are suitable?

• Graduate students quickly explain unfamiliar academic concepts.
• Researchers discuss research questions and method selection.
• Optimization of the expression in Chinese academic paragraphs.
• Checking of grammar and readability in English papers.
• Translation of abstracts in Chinese and English, introduction, and response letters.
• Bilingual reading of PDFs of published papers.
• Quick translation and preliminary understanding of arXiv preprints.
• Teachers prepare introductions to the literature and explanations of concepts.
• Developers deploy the full GPT Academic research workstation.

Tasks that are not suitable for completion directly

• Generates non-existent literature and references automatically.
• Replace researchers in carrying out original research or making academic judgments.
• Submit unverified paragraphs of the paper directly.
• Handle confidential manuscripts, patent materials, or restricted data.
• It automatically ensures that the formulas, numbers, and conclusions in the translated version are accurate.
• Alternative statistical analysis, experimental replication, and peer review.
• A literature review is generated in the absence of source evidence.
• Treat public online services as production systems with service level guarantees.

Product advantages

• You can use the current online features without needing to register.
• The interface is simple, with clear access points for academic tasks.
• Supports editing of papers in both Chinese and English.
• It supports academic translation and content interpretation.
• When translating PDFs, both a bilingual version and a pure translation version are generated.
• The arXiv task can automatically download and process public papers.
• Two options are provided: fast and balanced models.
• Multiple rounds of dialogue support four levels of thinking intensity.
• Stream output facilitates the monitoring of task progress.
• There is a partnership with the mature open-source ecosystem of GPT Academic.

Usage restrictions and precautions

• The online version has fewer features compared to the full GPT Academic open-source project.
• The current page does not provide a complete public privacy policy or data retention rules.
• The session is valid only on the current page, and no visible history management is provided.
• Model responses may contain factual errors and fabricated citations.
• Polishing may change the strength of the argument, its tone, and its original meaning.
• A full translation may disrupt the formatting of multi-column layouts, formulas, tables, and figure captions.
• A scanned PDF requires reliable text recognition first.
• Public services do not provide any commitments regarding the frequency of availability or uptime.
• The list of models and their free status may change depending on operating costs.
• The new version of the online site cannot be considered equivalent to the current code in the open-source repository.
• Conclusions derived from high-risk research must be referred back to the paper and the original data.

Academic integrity and author responsibility

• Comply with the generative AI policies of schools, journals, and funding agencies.
• When AI assistance is used, it must be stated accurately in the designated place.
• Do not let AI replace the author in drawing research conclusions.
• Do not include the references generated by the model directly in the bibliography.
• Keep the original draft and the records of modifications to facilitate an explanation of the writing process.
• Full responsibility for the facts, data, methods, and references lies with me.
• Do not use tools to process unapproved review materials.
• Avoid rewriting others’ work and passing it off as your own original creation.

Privacy and file security

The current page indicates that chat sessions are valid only on this page, and past sessions are not displayed publicly. This message cannot serve as a complete guide to data processing; the uploaded text and files still need to be processed by the site’s servers and model services.

• Only publicly available papers or files with authorized access should be uploaded.
• Remove the author’s name, email address, project number, and participant information.
• Before submitting an unpublished paper, check the guidelines of the research group and the journal.
• Peer-review materials should generally not be submitted to third-party AI services.
• Medical and social science data should first be anonymized.
• Do not paste model keys and account credentials in the prompt.
• After downloading the result, check the file name, metadata, and hidden content.
• For sensitive projects, the open-source version should be deployed in a controlled environment first.

The relationship between the online version and open-source projects

The official GPT Academic Wiki lists Academic.ChatWithPaper as an online service with which a partnership exists. The current online version features a custom interface and a separate backend, and it displays only some of the typical academic capabilities of open-source projects.

Features of the GPT Academic open-source project

• Reading papers, writing abstracts, translating, and polishing text.
• Full-text translation, error correction, and side-by-side output in LaTeX.
• PDF parsing, translation, and various document processing plugins.
• Analysis of project code in Python, C, C++, Java, Lua, and other languages.
• Batch generation of code comments and project self-analysis.
• Parallel querying of multiple models and comparison of results.
• Natural language scheduling plugin.
• Rendering of diagrams such as flowcharts, state diagrams, and Gantt charts.
• Voice input, voice output, and other experimental capabilities.
• Custom shortcut buttons, themes, and hot updates for plugins.

Deployment methods supported by open-source projects

How to deploy GPT Academic

1. Obtain the latest main branch or a stable version with security fixes from the official repository.
2. Read the version notes, dependency requirements, license, and security announcements.
3. Choose Python, Anaconda, Docker, or the one-click installation option.
4. Install the specified version of dependencies in an isolated environment to avoid conflicts with other projects.
5. Configure your own model key, model name, and access address.
6. By default, it only listens on the local machine; first, complete the single-user functionality tests.
7. Before opening up to the outside world, add login functionality, file authentication, reverse proxying, and access restrictions.
8. Test the file boundaries for PDF, LaTeX, plugins, and code analysis.
9. Set the upload size, task timeout, log masking, and call budget.
10. Regularly monitor warehouse updates and security announcements, and upgrade promptly.

Deployment cost

Open-source license

The main repository of GPT Academic is licensed under the GNU GPL v3 license. Modifications and distribution must comply with the same licensing terms, as well as requirements regarding the provision of source code and copyright statements; companies should conduct a compliance assessment based on their actual methods of distribution and network services.

The fact that online services are free does not mean that the underlying models, third-party translation components, and deployment resources are also free. Each plugin may also introduce its own dependencies, interfaces, and licenses.

Security considerations for open-source projects

Earlier versions of GPT Academic contained high-risk vulnerabilities related to the deserialization of untrusted data; these issues were fixed in versions 3.64 through 3.73, with version 3.74 providing further corrections. Certain LaTeX correction plugins from earlier versions, including 3.83 and earlier, also addressed the deserialization problems.

• Do not expose older instances directly to the public internet.
• At least upgrade to a version that includes the relevant security fixes.
• Continue to check the latest security announcements for 2025 to 2026.
• Disable unnecessary plugins for file uploading, deserialization, and code execution.
• Container isolation is applied to the upload directory and the working directory.
• Run the service using an account with low permissions.
• Limit file types, size, paths, and decompression behavior.
• Isolate session and file access for each user.
• The model key is stored in server environment variables or a key management system.
• Conduct penetration testing and dependency scanning before deploying to the public network.

Differences between the online version and ChatPaper

Translation Quality Checklist

• Are the title, abstract, and keywords accurate?
• Whether variables, units, subscripts, and formulas are retained.
• Check for any missing negations, conditional, and scope modifiers.
• Is the translation of terms consistent throughout the text?
• Are the chart numbers and cross-references consistent?
• Were the authors of the references and the names of the journals mistranslated?
• Whether the strength of the conclusions in the results and discussion changes.
• Whether the paragraphs in the bilingual version are properly aligned.
• Does a direct translation lose any captions, footnotes, or appendices?

Polishing Quality Checklist

• Whether the conclusions of the original study are strengthened or weakened.
• Whether a causal relationship has been mistakenly changed to a correlational one, or vice versa.
• Whether the active and passive voices meet the requirements of the journal.
• Is the tense consistent with the Methods, Results, and Discussion sections?
• Are abbreviations defined when they first appear?
• Are the technical terms and variable names consistent?
• After breaking down long sentences, is the logical connection still intact?
• When deleting duplicates, are necessary constraints accidentally removed?
• Does the final text still reflect the author’s true intentions?

Basic information

Recommendation score

4.5 / 5. The current online version of Academic is free and user-friendly; it offers services such as academic question answering, text editing, and full PDF translation, and it also has strong scalability due to its integration with open-source projects. However, the rules regarding data usage, quotas, and availability for public services are limited, and serious research tasks still require manual verification and compliance checks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the academic version of GPT free?

As of August 2026, the current online version can be used freely without the need for login, and there are no options for members or payment processes. The free access status and capacity limits may change.

Which models does it support?

The current page lists GPT-5 Nano and GPT-5.6 Luna, with the former being used by default. The site operator can adjust the list of models.

Can PDFs be uploaded?

Yes. The page indicates that a single PDF file may not exceed 100 MB in size, and translation is supported from English to Chinese or from Chinese to English; upon completion, both the bilingual version and the translated text alone are provided.

Can you translate arXiv papers?

Yes. By entering the paper number or link, the system will download it and create a translation task; LaTeX source files are given priority, with PDF files being used as a fallback if necessary.

Is the chat history saved?

The page indicates that the session is valid only on the current page, and the historical list is not displayed publicly. The site does not provide detailed information regarding the data retention period.

Is the academic version of GPT the same as GPT Academic?

They cannot be considered completely equivalent. The current online version is a lightweight service that arises from a partnership, whereas GPT Academic is an open-source project with more comprehensive features and the ability to be deployed independently.

Is GPT Academic open source?

It is open source, with the main repository governed by the GPL-3.0 license. It has not been confirmed whether the new front-end and back-end implementations of the current online site are also fully open source.

Can it be used to write a paper directly?

It can assist in explanation, refinement, and translation, but it cannot replace research, evidence, and the author’s judgment. The facts generated by the model and any citations must be verified independently.

Is private deployment safe?

Security depends on the version, plugins, authentication methods, and isolation settings. Older versions contain numerous high-risk vulnerabilities; therefore, deployers must use corrected versions and keep an eye on security updates.