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  • General
  • Features
  • Usage
  • Pricing
  • Support

General

What is ResearchCast?
ResearchCast turns the research discovered by your Channels into audio. Follow a topic, review recommended papers, and request individual audio formats. Your first Channel includes one free audio digest. Further automatic audio requires a subscription and your explicit authorization.
Who is ResearchCast for?
ResearchCast is designed for researchers, PhD students, academics, and science-focused professionals who need to stay current with literature. It supports recurring discovery via Channels and focused audio for recommended papers.
Why is your mascot a tardigrade with headphones?

Because science is relentless, and so is the tardigrade.

Tardigrades are famously hard to kill—and while they are studied, they're still packed with unanswered questions (new species, weird survival tricks, ongoing debates). Basically: a tiny reminder that research never stops.

ResearchCast exists for the same reason: infinite papers, finite humans. We help turn new research into Channels and single-paper ResearchCasts so you can keep up without sacrificing your entire life to PDFs.

Is ResearchCast available in languages other than English?

Yes.

The ResearchCast interface and support are currently available in English only. However, many languages are available when generating ResearchCasts.

Features

What podcast formats are available?
We offer several formats to suit different needs:
  • Overview: A concise summary of the key findings and methodology.
  • Deep Dive: A more detailed exploration of the paper.
  • Lunch Talk: A coffee-chat between two colleagues, plain English.
  • Debate: Champion vs. skeptic sparring over the paper's claims and rigor.
  • ELI5: A plain-language explanation using familiar examples. Check important details against the original paper.
What are Channels?
Channels are focused research radars. You describe the area you want to track, answer a short setup interview, and ResearchCast builds a profile that can surface curated issues of relevant papers over time.
What is a Channel digest playlist?
Your first Channel includes one free digest of five Overview tracks in your chosen language. Weekly research lists remain free. Further digest audio requires a subscription and explicit recurring authorization; paid digests contain five Overview tracks. Your first Channel includes one free audio digest. Further automatic audio requires a subscription and your explicit authorization. Each digest follows a new finalized paper list and shows the covered date range. Changing Channel cadence pauses automatic generation until you authorize it again. Subscribers use their included monthly allowance; credit-only accounts review a recurring credit limit during activation. You can disable digests at any time. Email opt-out only stops emails; it does not stop generation.
Can I create or publish my own playlists?
Custom playlist creation and publication are no longer available. Your first Channel includes one free digest of five Overview tracks in your chosen language. Weekly research lists remain free. Further digest audio requires a subscription and explicit recurring authorization; paid digests contain five Overview tracks. Your first Channel includes one free audio digest. Further automatic audio requires a subscription and your explicit authorization. Paper Club playlists are retired; you can still request Deep Dive for an individual Channel paper.
Can I add a paper by link or upload?
ResearchCasts are generated from papers discovered by your Channels. Links and PDF uploads are no longer available. Open a Channel paper card to choose an audio format.
Is it possible to use ResearchCast without an internet connection?

Previously downloaded audio can be played offline on the same device.

Discovery, generation, billing, and downloads require an internet connection. ResearchCast can also be installed as a progressive web app (PWA). On your mobile device, open your browser, go to www.research-cast.com, and choose Add to home screen from your browser menu.

Can I use ResearchCast on any device?

Yes.

ResearchCast works on any device with an up-to-date web browser, including desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones.

Because ResearchCast is web-based, you do not need to install additional software to use the web version.

Usage

What paper sources are supported?
Channels discover papers from their configured research sources. The available formats depend on the source text available for each recommended paper.
Can I turn a research paper into a podcast?

Yes.

Open a paper discovered by your Channel, choose an available format, and ResearchCast will prepare the full text and generate a single-paper ResearchCast within your available usage. Generation requires successful full-text analysis. You can listen from the paper card when it is ready.

How long does it take to generate a ResearchCast?
Generation typically takes a few minutes depending on the paper length, source type, and format selected. Queued ResearchCasts appear in the app when they are ready.
What happens to my ResearchCasts and research lists after my plan expires?
When your subscription expires or is cancelled, your account reverts to the free usage limits. Previously generated ResearchCasts remain available to listen to, and active Channels above the free limit may be paused rather than deleted.

Pricing

Is ResearchCast free to use?

Yes.

Free accounts include 1 active Channel with automatic free weekly research lists. Where onboarding is enabled, your first Channel includes one free audio digest in your chosen language. Further digest audio requires a subscription. The free digest is limited to one per Gmail mailbox, including aliases. There is no spendable starter audio allowance. Single-paper audio requires included plan usage or previously purchased credits. New credit-pack purchases are disabled.

Basic includes 30 units per calendar month and 5 active Channels. Pro includes 60 units and 10 active Channels. All five single-paper formats share the same allowance: Overview and ELI5 use 1 unit; Deep Dive, Lunch Talk and Debate use 2. Automatic audio is available for all your plan’s channels. Each digest contains five Overview tracks and uses five units from the shared monthly allowance. Digests wait if there aren’t enough units. Included units reset monthly and do not roll over. Purchased credits do not expire.

What payment options are available?
Monthly plans renew through Paddle and can be cancelled in the billing portal. Annual plans cost twelve monthly payments, have no discount, and end automatically after one year. Previously purchased credits remain usable without expiry. See pricing for the offered plans and the localized checkout total.
Can I change my subscription plan?
Yes. Contact ResearchCast support to request an upgrade or downgrade. The billing portal is for payment details and cancellation. We confirm the effective date before applying a plan change.
If I cancel my subscription, will I receive a refund for the remaining time?
Cancellation stops future renewal and normally preserves access through the paid period. Withdrawal and other applicable refund rights remain unaffected. See our withdrawal information or contact support about a specific purchase.
How do I cancel my subscription?
You can cancel your subscription at any time from the ResearchCast billing portal. The plan remains active until the end of the current billing period and then stops renewing. Please refer to the withdrawal information and Terms for applicable refund rights.
Can I get a refund for tax/VAT?

Yes.

VAT refunds are available for eligible European businesses and recognized tax-exempt organizations.

To avoid VAT charges upfront, enter your company details and VAT number during checkout. You can also request a refund on Paddle's support page: paddle.net.

Can I download a proper invoice?

Yes.

Open the Billing section in settings to reach the Paddle portal. Each payment includes a receipt-page link where you can enter your business address and tax number (if applicable).

After entering this information, an invoice is generated and available for download.

Do you offer enterprise contracts?

Yes.

We can tailor enterprise plans to your organization's needs, including invoice-based billing. Contact us to discuss requirements or request a quote.

Support

How do I contact support?
You can email us at support@research-cast.com for technical questions and support inquiries.

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