Open Access Helper Web

Helps you find Open Access copies of paywalled scientific articles, by utilizing Unpaywall and core.ac.uk APIs
What is Open Access Helper Web?
Open Access Helper Web is a Chrome extension designed to simplify the user's access to full text scholarly articles. It uses Digital Object Identifier (DOI) of documents and the APIs of unpaywall.org and core.ac.uk to enable user retrieval of a paywalled document's legal open access copy with a single click. The extension also integrates with EZProxy remote access solution common in university libraries. It respects user privacy, collects only basic, anonymous usage information and is totally legal.

Extension stats

Users: 4,000+
Rating: 5.00 (1)
Version: 2024.1 (Last updated: 2024-08-11)
Creation date: 2020-10-20
Risk impact: High risk impact
Risk likelihood: Very low risk likelihood
Manifest version: 3
Permissions:
  • tabs
  • storage
  • contextMenus
  • scripting
Host permissions:
  • *://*/*
Size: 404.48K

Other platforms

Open Access Helper (v2024.1)
5.00 (1) 245
Open Access Helper Web (v2024.1)
4.00 (1) 1,449+
Want to check extension ranking and stats more quickly for other Chrome extensions? Install Chrome-Stats extension to view Chrome-Stats data as you browse the Chrome Web Store.

Extension summary

Analyze keywords

Effortless legal access to full text scholarly articles

FIND OPEN ACCESS

When you view a research article, Open Access Helper detects the Digital Object Identifier (DOI) of the document and then will query the APIs of unpaywall.org and core.ac.uk to find a link for a legal open access copy. Simply click the Open Access Helper badge to access the document!

As you hover your mouse over the Open Access Helper badge, the extension will tell you whether you are going to see the “Published Version”, “Accepted Version” or “Submitted Version”. The two APIs employed are the gold standard for this type of information.

EZPROXY

Many university libraries employ a remote access solution known as EZProxy. This solution functions by rerouting your connection through the institution’s server and thus making it look to the publisher as if you were on campus. All you have to do is access the settings, type the domain of your institution (e.g. harvard.edu for Harvard University) and save.

When enabled, you can click on the toolbar icon (make sure it is visible) and the popup will show a button to proxy the current page. While I cannot guarantee that your library subscribes to the paper, it couldn’t be more convenient to at least try! In the future, I hope to make this feature more awesome.

IS IT LEGAL?

See more

User reviews

Very helpful! My professor recommended this for students to use for research :)
by Joanna C., 2021-02-19
View all user reviews

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.

Upgrade to see risk analysis details

Promo images

Open Access Helper Web small promo image
Small promo image

Similar extensions

Here are some Chrome extensions that are similar to Open Access Helper Web: