Jstor is a website that curates books, journals, ebooks, images, and articles from different authors and institutions.

It can be a good place to visit when you want to research different topics including history, government, business, culture, science, and engineering, among others.

While it is a decent website, there are similar websites available. Some of them include ProQuest, ScienceDirect, Academia, and ResearchGate.

However, the best alternative to Jstor is Google Scholar, thanks to its global accessibility, ease of use, and seemingly unlimited academic and general knowledge database.

Take a look at the brief summary of what is covered in the upcoming sections.

Why Would You Need Websites Similar to Jstor?

One of the things that makes Jstor a less-than-ideal research destination is that it requires users to register through their local libraries. This may be inconvenient for researchers who do not have a local library registration.

Another downside is that Jstor has a small database of resources, so it may be impossible for some people to find the information they need. Finally, it restricts the number of articles or resources you can access if you hold a free account.

Thankfully, I have compiled a list of the best websites similar to Jstor but offer an even better experience when it comes to accessibility, amount of information, and overall customer support.

Keep Reading.

The Best Websites Similar to Jstor

1. Google Scholar

Google Scholar is one of the best websites for you to visit when you want to research different things. Unlike Jstor, which requires a subscription for most searches, Google Scholar lets you carry out any search you like without the need to pay or subscribe.

The site specializes in indexing and providing access to academic literature in different fields. On this site, you can research theses, articles, conference papers, technical reports, books, law reports, and other forms of writing.

It relies on digital content from sources such as research institutions, professional societies, universities, and academic publishers. One of the reasons why this site was established is to help learners or researchers find information to help foster their studies or project undertakings.

Once you land on the site, you can carry out searches using keywords, names, or titles of the publications that you wish to access. An impressive thing about this alternative is that it often includes links to the original full text, abstracts, and citations.

It also includes links to related information so that you always have multiple sources to consider and verify your findings. Google Scholar easily integrates with other tools including Clay, Essayist, and Google Search.

2. ProQuest

ProQuest is another impressive website you can turn to instead of Jstor thanks to its diverse database of resources.

The site partners with different libraries around the world to empower researchers in their quest to find answers to critical questions and to assist with important projects around the world.

Unlike Jstor which mainly relies on written content, ProQuest includes a section where you can find information in the form of videos and audio recordings. Apart from that, you can expect to find journals, dissertations, newspapers, ebooks, and articles, among others.

The site boasts a simple interface so anyone can find their way around on the first try. There is a search bar right in the center of the home page so you do not need to navigate away before starting your research.

You can filter the searches according to the type of content you wish to access. For instance, you can specify that you want video, audio, or newspaper resources.

The site incorporates state-of-the-art text and data mining tools to ensure that you get the most accurate results and don’t spend too much time searching.

Another impressive thing about ProQuest is that it makes it possible for researchers to collaborate and even find sources of funding for their projects.

While you can use the site straight off the bat, you’ll have access to more features and resources if you log in through your local library.

3. APA PsycInfo

APA PsycInfo is a professionally developed research tool that is sure to simplify the way people carry out research. Different from Jstor, it specializes in providing information regarding behavioral and social sciences.

On the site, you can expect to find over five million peer-reviewed records which helps cement its credibility as a source of information. It also includes 144 million cited references so you’ll always be sure to get accurate information.

The database is updated twice every week so you can always check to find new information. Another impressive thing about it is that it supports over 30 languages making it accessible to different nationalities.

Its contents are derived from different resources including journal articles, book chapters, preprints, conference publications, PubMed, and dissertations, among others.

You’ll be pleased to know that it incorporates AI and machine learning research assistance so you can find the most relevant information within the shortest time possible.

This site is ideal for institutional use which means the faculty and the learners can benefit from the resources it has to offer. That is why it is encouraged that learning institutions register on it for free and give access to both faculty and students.

4. ScienceDirect

Next up on this list of the best websites like Jstor is ScienceDirect. It specializes in providing resources for physical sciences and engineering subjects.

It has a user-friendly interface ensuring users have an easy time getting started. Right at the top of the homepage is the search bar that allows you to determine the parameters of your research.

For instance, you can set it to find articles by keywords, journal and book titles, or authors. You can go further and switch to the advanced search which allows you to input even more information to get the most relevant results within a short time.

Most of the information you get on this site is derived from journals and books. There are also a lot of peer-reviewed articles so you’ll be spoiled for choices.

The information available covers historical context, current developments, theories, applications, trends, and more. To get a good experience, you’ll need to register first.

Once you do that, the AI learns your interests and starts providing recommendations and related information and effectively cuts down on the time you spend working.

5. Academia

Academia has a diverse database of resources. It has over 47 million academic papers on different subjects and topics.

It can be the perfect place for you to go if you want to research what your peers are doing. Some of the subjects covered include engineering, science, history, mathematics, economics, psychology, and languages, among others.

To fully enjoy the benefits that this site has to offer, you need to create an account. You can then fill out a few profile details and personalize your experience.

One of the best things about this site is that it allows you to find and download groups of related papers. You can also activate the alert function so that you get notified whenever a paper that covers a topic of interest is uploaded.

There are also detailed summaries of long papers meaning you won’t have to spend a lot of time reading through everything. Another impressive thing about it is that you can upload your research papers for others to review or learn from.

Whenever someone cites your paper, you will get an automatic notification. The site slightly differs from Jstor because it even makes it possible for you to create networks with people who have similar interests to yours.

6. ResearchGate

ResearchGate is an excellent website with a simple interface and relatively quick page loading speeds. Unlike Jstor, it specializes in scientific topics.

To start using the website, you’ll need to create a free account. This will automatically ensure that you join a community of over 25 million scientists.

Its database comprises papers and articles that cover just about every field of science including biology, computer science, climate change, medicine, physics, chemistry, astrophysics, and mathematics, among others.

It has over 60 million publication pages so chances are that you will find a lot of information regarding whatever it is you may be researching. The database is constantly being updated to keep users informed about the latest developments in their fields.

The website also allows you to upload your papers so that others can benefit from your knowledge. It provides all the tools you need to keep track of the number of people accessing and citing your papers.

7. Library of Congress

The Library of Congress is one of the most reliable sources of information you can visit today. It is arguably one of the largest digital libraries in the United States which is also why it stands shoulders above Jstor.

As a researcher, you can use it to find reliable sources of information in different formats including text, video, and audio recordings. It also has other resources in the form of 3D objects, notated music, web archives, and legislation.

It not only contains a database with information that is helpful to academics but can also be used by other researchers such as journalists, entrepreneurs, and project managers.

While it has a huge database of resources, it is designed in such a way that you won’t be overwhelmed by information. You can do your research by specifying the topic and the type of resource you want to have a look at.

You can even run searches using keywords, titles, and names. While it contains information regarding different things from around the world, it is most suited to research American history and current affairs.

8. Digital Commons Network

Digital Commons Network is a good place to go if you want to research anything academic. Its database contains over four million unique works from over 655 institutions around the world.

Unlike Jstor, which requires you to subscribe to its services before you access certain works, Digital Commons Network is available completely free of charge and anyone can access it when they need to do some research.

Take note that the site includes full-text articles so you won’t need to get a little information from here and then go elsewhere for more. Everything is available for you in one place.

The site is curated by librarians and their supporting institutions to ensure that both faculty and learners can get access to the information they need without having to spend money or wasting time.

Some of the works you’ll find here fall under disciplines such as architecture, social sciences, humanities, religion, business, and engineering, among others. The website lets you start researching immediately after you land on the homepage.

There are no pop-up ads or flashy graphics that can end up distracting you when you start working. It is the ideal place to go for quick and free academic research.

9. WorldCat

WorldCat is similar to Jstor with the exception that it focuses more on library resources. It is connected to over 10,000 libraries from around the world, so you can find many materials unavailable online.

Its database includes books, journals, conference reports, dissertations, and papers covering almost every topic you can think of. Additionally, the site makes it possible for you to find information in other formats including video, audiobooks, photos, and music.

It makes research easy thanks to its three-option search design. That means you can research through Lists, Libraries, and Items.

This system ensures that you do not spend too much time going through unnecessary information. Instead, you can narrow down your searches and find the most relevant information in record time.

While you can use it independently, you’ll only have access to limited resources, features, and functions. To enjoy the full benefits it has to offer, it is prudent to log in through your local library because that unlocks all features, functions, and resources.

10. RefSeek

Another alternative to Jstor is RefSeek. It has a similar design to Google Scholar and works in much the same way.

While Jstor provides access to a limited amount of data, RefSeek pulls its information from over one billion digital encyclopedias, web pages, journals, and books.

It is also different from Google Search because it focuses more on scientific and academic results. That means the majority of the results you get will be from trustworthy websites that also focus on ensuring factual information.

Another cool thing about this site is that it allows you to specify whether you want information from content on web pages or directly from attached documents such as PDFs.

RefSeek has a minimalist interface so you don’t have to worry about getting distracted by too many sections or graphics. It does not support third-party ads so you’ll have a good experience while researching.

Wrapping Up

Jstor is a useful website. However, the above-detailed alternatives offer an even better experience.

Google Scholar and RefSeek have simple designs but give you access to a huge database of information available from different online resources.

Alternatives such as Academia and ResarchGate make it easy for you to research academic topics relatively fast.

Regardless of which of the websites you choose, you can rest assured that your research will be so much simpler and rewarding.

Tom Clayton

Tom loves to write on technology, e-commerce & internet marketing. I started my first e-commerce company in college, designing and selling t-shirts for my campus bar crawl using print-on-demand. Having successfully established multiple 6 & 7-figure e-commerce businesses (in women’s fashion and hiking gear), I think I can share a tip or 2 to help you succeed.