Open Access Helper Web

Helps you find Open Access copies of paywalled scientific articles, by utilizing Unpaywall and core.ac.uk APIs

Open Access Helper Web - Access Research Articles

"Open Access Helper Web" is a Chrome extension that simplifies the process of accessing scholarly articles by locating free-to-read versions of paywalled content. By utilizing trusted APIs from Unpaywall and core.ac.uk, it lets users effortlessly find legal open access copies. The extension enhances access for students and researchers, supports EZProxy and OpenAthens for library authentication, and respects user privacy. Open source and community-driven, it's a valuable tool for making research more accessible.
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Extension stats

Users: 4,000+
Rating: 5.00
(1)
Version: 2025.2.2 (Last updated: 2025-01-08)
Creation date: 2020-10-20
Risk impact: High risk impact
Risk likelihood:
Manifest version: 3
Permissions:
  • tabs
  • storage
  • contextMenus
  • scripting
Host permissions:
  • *://*/*
Size: 419.84K

Other platforms

Not available on Android
Open Access Helper (v2025.2.2)
5.00 (1) 261
Open Access Helper Web (v2025.2.2)
4.50 (2) 1,684+
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Extension summary

Analyze keywords

Open Access Helper: Effortless Access to Scholarly Articles

Unlock Open Access Easily find legal, free-to-read versions of paywalled scientific articles. Open Access Helper uses the trusted APIs from unpaywall.org and core.ac.uk to locate open access copies, making research more accessible for students, researchers, and curious minds.

How It Works When you view a research article, the extension detects its DOI (Digital Object Identifier) and checks for an available open access version. Simply click the Open Access Helper badge to access the document!

As you hover over the badge, it will indicate whether you’ll be accessing the “Published Version,” “Accepted Version,” or “Submitted Version.”

EZProxy or OpenAthens Made Simple If your university library uses EZProxy or OpenAthens for off-campus access, this extension makes it seamless to connect. Just set your institution’s domain (e.g., harvard.edu), and with one click, you can proxy the current page through your library’s server.

100% Legal and Privacy-Respecting Every link provided leads to officially open-access or legally archived copies of research articles. Plus, Open Access Helper doesn’t collect personal data—just anonymous usage stats to improve functionality.

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User reviews

Very helpful! My professor recommended this for students to use for research :)
by Joanna C., 2021-02-19
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Extension safety

Risk impact

Open Access Helper Web requires some sensitive permissions that could impact your browser and data security. Exercise caution before installing.

Risk likelihood

Open Access Helper Web has earned a good reputation and can be trusted.

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