Systematic review & meta-analysis

From literature search
to forest plot.
In one place.

Verflux is a rigorous, browser-based platform for evidence synthesis. Search five databases, screen studies, extract data, assess risk of bias and GRADE certainty, run meta-analysis, and generate publication-ready figures and reports. No R, no Python, no installation.

Start free — no credit card See workflow

Trial account · 1 project · All analytical features included

Meta-analysis output — random effects

−0.82

Pooled SMD

68%

I²

p<.001

p-value

Forest plot preview

Smith 2020

Patel 2021

Chen 2022

Garcia 2023

Pooled

            k = 4 studies  •  τ² = 0.12 (DL)

            Q = 9.3, df = 3, p = .026

            PI = −1.42 to 0.21 (t-dist, df=2)

What's included

Everything a systematic
reviewer needs

Every feature in every plan. No modules, no add-ons.

Multi-database search

PubMed/MEDLINE, Europe PMC, Semantic Scholar, CrossRef, OpenAlex, Google Scholar (via scraping), and Web of Science (via OpenAlex). Boolean operators, study-type filters, year ranges. Cross-database duplicate detection with exact count.

Screening

Title/abstract and full-text stages. Bulk actions in topbar (Include, Exclude, Maybe). Keyboard shortcuts. Abstract viewer. Exclusion reason tracking. Real-time PRISMA 2020 counts.

Data extraction

Structured arm-level extraction: means and SDs for continuous outcomes, events and totals for dichotomous. Auto-fill from DOI or PMID. Study characteristics tab.

Risk of bias

RoB 2, ROBINS-I, Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (cohort and case-control), QUADAS-2, AXIS. Domain-level traffic-light ratings. Overall judgement with justification notes.

GRADE assessment

Per-outcome certainty ratings. Five downgrade domains, three upgrade criteria. Computed certainty (High/Moderate/Low/Very low). Evidence summary table.

Statistical engine

DL and PM random effects, fixed-effect IV. Hedges' g with exact J-factor correction. Prediction intervals with correct t-distribution critical values. Leave-one-out sensitivity. Egger's test with t-distribution p-values.

Figures

Forest plot with weight-proportional squares, prediction intervals, aligned data columns. Funnel plot with 95% pseudo-confidence region. High-DPI canvas, PNG download.

PRISMA 2020 diagram

Correct three-phase layout. Every value is editable with live preview. Cross-database duplicates auto-filled from search. Saves per project. PNG download.

Guided pipeline

Eight steps, one platform

Each stage feeds into the next. Navigate forward or backward at any point.

Step 01

Search

Search seven databases simultaneously: PubMed, Europe PMC, Semantic Scholar, CrossRef, OpenAlex, Google Scholar, and Web of Science. Import in bulk. Duplicates removed automatically.

Step 02

Screen

Multi-select with bulk decisions or row-by-row keyboard shortcuts. Full-text stage with exclusion tracking.

Step 03

Extract

Arm-level data entry for all effect measures. Auto-fill metadata from DOI or PMID.

Step 04

Risk of bias

Domain-level assessments with six validated instruments. Traffic-light summary table.

Step 05

GRADE

Rate certainty of evidence per outcome. Downgrade and upgrade domains with live certainty preview.

Step 06

Analysis

DL and PM random effects, fixed-effect IV. Full heterogeneity statistics, sensitivity analysis.

Step 07

Plots

Forest and funnel plots redrawn from your analysis results. Correct geometry, aligned columns.

Step 08

Report

PRISMA 2020 flow diagram, methods text, checklist, and exports.

Pricing

One-time payment. Lifetime access.

Pay once, use forever. No subscriptions, no renewals. Need more projects later? Buy extra project slots from your dashboard anytime.

Trial

^$0

one-time — lifetime access

Free forever · Demo data included

✓ 1 active project
✓ 0 collaborators (solo use)
✓ Demo data import to test all features
✓ Literature search (7 databases)
✓ Title & full-text screening
✓ Data extraction (arm-level)
✓ Risk of bias (6 tools: RoB2, ROBINS-I, NOS, QUADAS-2…)
✓ GRADE evidence assessment & export
✓ Full meta-analysis engine (DL, PM, fixed-effect)
✓ Forest & funnel plots (PNG download)
✓ PRISMA 2020 diagram (PNG download)
✓ CSV, JSON, RIS, HTML exports
✓ Blind dual-reviewer screening
✓ Lifetime access — no subscriptions
✗ CSV / JSON / RIS / HTML exports (upgrade to unlock)

Starter

^$30

one-time — lifetime access

1 project · All features · Upgradeable

✓ 1 active project
✓ 5 collaborators per project
✓ Literature search (7 databases)
✓ Title & full-text screening
✓ Data extraction (arm-level)
✓ Risk of bias (6 tools: RoB2, ROBINS-I, NOS, QUADAS-2…)
✓ GRADE evidence assessment & export
✓ Full meta-analysis engine (DL, PM, fixed-effect)
✓ Forest & funnel plots (PNG download)
✓ PRISMA 2020 diagram (PNG download)
✓ CSV, JSON, RIS, HTML exports
✓ Blind dual-reviewer screening
✓ Lifetime access — no subscriptions

Professional

^$50

one-time — lifetime access

2 projects · All features · Upgradeable

✓ 2 active projects
✓ 10 collaborators per project
✓ Literature search (7 databases)
✓ Title & full-text screening
✓ Data extraction (arm-level)
✓ Risk of bias (6 tools: RoB2, ROBINS-I, NOS, QUADAS-2…)
✓ GRADE evidence assessment & export
✓ Full meta-analysis engine (DL, PM, fixed-effect)
✓ Forest & funnel plots (PNG download)
✓ PRISMA 2020 diagram (PNG download)
✓ CSV, JSON, RIS, HTML exports
✓ Blind dual-reviewer screening
✓ Lifetime access — no subscriptions

Unlimited

^$100

one-time — lifetime access

3 projects · All features · Upgradeable

✓ 3 active projects
✓ 20 collaborators per project
✓ Literature search (7 databases)
✓ Title & full-text screening
✓ Data extraction (arm-level)
✓ Risk of bias (6 tools: RoB2, ROBINS-I, NOS, QUADAS-2…)
✓ GRADE evidence assessment & export
✓ Full meta-analysis engine (DL, PM, fixed-effect)
✓ Forest & funnel plots (PNG download)
✓ PRISMA 2020 diagram (PNG download)
✓ CSV, JSON, RIS, HTML exports
✓ Blind dual-reviewer screening
✓ Lifetime access — no subscriptions

One-time payments. No subscriptions. | Stripe, PayPal, Easypaisa & JazzCash accepted. | PKR: Starter ~8,400 · Professional ~14,000 · Unlimited ~28,000

Need more than 3 projects? Extra Project slots ($20 each, lifetime) are available from your dashboard after signing up.

Frequently asked

Questions

Do I need R or Python?

No. Every calculation — DerSimonian-Laird and Paule-Mandel random effects, Hedges' g, heterogeneity statistics, prediction intervals, leave-one-out sensitivity, and Egger's regression — runs in the browser via PHP. Nothing to install, configure, or license.

What does the Trial plan include?

Everything analytical: search, screening, extraction, risk of bias, GRADE assessment, meta-analysis, and forest and funnel plots. The only restriction is that CSV, JSON, RIS, and HTML exports are disabled. You can view and work on your review entirely online.

Are the payments one-time or monthly?

One-time, lifetime payments. Pay once and your plan never expires. There are no monthly charges, no subscriptions to cancel, and no renewal fees. If you need more projects later, purchase an Extra Project add-on ($20 per additional project) from your dashboard.

What if I need more than 3 projects?

Purchase Extra Project add-ons from your dashboard at any time. Each add-on costs $20 (one-time) and permanently adds one project slot to your account. There is no limit to how many you can buy. You can also start on any plan and add slots as your research workload grows.

What effect measures are supported?

Mean Difference (MD), Standardised Mean Difference (Hedges' g with J-factor correction), Risk Ratio (log scale, back-transformed), Odds Ratio (log scale, back-transformed), and Risk Difference. Continuity correction of 0.5 is applied when any cell is zero.

Are the statistics correct?

Every formula is implemented against published references: Borenstein (2009), Cochrane Handbook v6.3, Hedges & Olkin (1985), Higgins & Thompson (2002), DerSimonian & Laird (1986), Paule & Mandel (1982), and Egger (1997). The prediction interval uses an exact t-quantile (not a hardcoded approximation). Egger's test uses the t-distribution, not a normal approximation.

What databases can I search?

PubMed/MEDLINE, Europe PMC, Semantic Scholar, CrossRef, OpenAlex, Google Scholar (via proxy), and Web of Science (via OpenAlex). All free to access with no API key required.

What payment methods do you accept?

Stripe (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, JCB), PayPal, Easypaisa, and JazzCash. Pakistani researchers: Starter ~PKR 8,400 · Professional ~PKR 14,000 · Unlimited ~PKR 28,000 · Extra Project ~PKR 5,600. Mobile payments verified within 2 hours.

Academic use

Cite Verflux in your publication

If Verflux supported your systematic review or meta-analysis, please cite it so other researchers can find and use the tool.

APA 7th Edition — recommended

Rehman, N. U. (2026). Verflux: A browser-based platform for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (Version 1.1) [Software]. https://verflux.com.niellosoft.com

Vancouver / ICMJE

Rehman NU. Verflux: a browser-based platform for systematic reviews and meta-analysis [Software]. Version 1.1. 2026. Available from: https://verflux.com.niellosoft.com

Harvard

Rehman, N.U. (2026) Verflux: a browser-based platform for systematic reviews and meta-analysis, Version 1.1 [Software]. Available at: https://verflux.com.niellosoft.com (Accessed: 14 May 2026).

BibTeX / LaTeX

@software{verflux2026,
  author  = {Rehman, Naeem Ur},
  title   = {{Verflux}: A browser-based platform
             for systematic reviews and meta-analysis},
  year    = {2026},
  version = {1.1},
  url     = {https://verflux.com.niellosoft.com},
  note    = {[Software]}
}

Suggested methods section wording:
"Literature screening, data extraction, risk of bias assessment (RoB 2, ROBINS-I, NOS, QUADAS-2), GRADE certainty of evidence ratings, random-effects meta-analysis (DerSimonian–Laird and Paule–Mandel estimators), and forest and funnel plot generation were performed using Verflux (Rehman, 2026), a browser-based systematic review and meta-analysis platform."

From literature searchto forest plot.In one place.

Everything a systematicreviewer needs

Multi-database search

Screening

Data extraction

Risk of bias

GRADE assessment

Statistical engine

Figures

PRISMA 2020 diagram

Eight steps, one platform

Search

Screen

Extract

Risk of bias

GRADE

Analysis

Plots

Report

One-time payment. Lifetime access.

Questions

Cite Verflux in your publication

Ready to start your review?

From literature search
to forest plot.
In one place.

Everything a systematic
reviewer needs