Bypass paywalls for scientific documents

Bypass paywalls for scientific documents by downloading them from sci-hub instead of paying something like 50 bucks for each paper. This script adds download buttons on Google Scholar, Scopus and Web Of Science, which lead to sci-hub.tw. In this way you can get free access to scientific papers even if you (or your university) can't afford their prices.

These are versions of this script where the code was updated. Show all versions.

  • v3.4.3.1 2024-05-01

    Donations account updated
  • v3.4.3 2022-07-06

    [FIX] Fixed the domain updater so that it now correctly recognizes the real sci-hub website as original.
    [ADDED] Styling in the console log for the domain updater, so that it's easier to see how the script checks sci-hub's current domain.
  • v3.4.2 2021-11-02

    Released under AGPL 3.0 license.
  • v3.4.2 2021-10-04

    In order to make the script ready for sudden Sci-hub's domain changes without intervention, I've introduced an auto-update function that retrieves the new domain from the officila VKontakte page of Sci-hub project. To be able to update, the script needs the permission to connect to vk.com: once a day, the script checks if Sci-Hub can be reached at the known domain and if it can't be reached, the script retrieves the new domain (if it's been updated) from Sci-Hub's official VK account.
    I hope it works as expected! I've mainly tested the autoupdate feature on GreaseMonkey for the moment, but even if it's not working on your browser/userscript manager, the script will fall back to the default domain (currently sci-hub.ru).
    On Tampermonkey you will be asked to confirm the access to a new domain everytime Sci-Hub's domain changes.
  • v3.4.2 2021-10-04

    In order to make the script ready for sudden Sci-hub's domain changes without intervention, I've introduced an auto-update function that retrieves the new domain from the officila VKontakte page of Sci-hub project. To be able to update, the script needs the permission to connect to vk.com: once a day, the script checks if Sci-Hub can be reached at the known domain and if it can't be reached, the script retrieves the new domain (if it's been updated) from Sci-Hub's official VK account.
    I hope it works as expected! I've mainly tested the autoupdate feature on GreaseMonkey for the moment, but even if it's not working on your browser/userscript manager, the script will fall back to the default domain (currently sci-hub.ru).
    On Tampermonkey you will be asked to confirm the access to a new domain everytime Sci-Hub's domain changes.
  • v3.4.1 2021-10-04

    In order to make the script ready for sudden Sci-hub's domain changes without intervention, I've introduced an auto-update function that retrieves the new domain from the officila VKontakte page of Sci-hub project. To be able to update, the script needs the permission to connect to vk.com: once a day, the script checks if Sci-Hub can be reached at the known domain and if it can't be reached, the script retrieves the new domain (if it's been updated) from Sci-Hub's official VK account.
    I hope it works as expected! I've tested the autouodate only on GreaseMonkey for the moment, but even if it's not working on your browser, it will fall back to the default domain (currently sci-hub.ru).
  • v3.4.0 2021-10-04

    In order to make the script ready for sudden Sci-hub's domain changes without intervention, I've introduced an auto-update function that retrieves the new domain from the officila VKontakte page of Sci-hub project. To be able to update, the script needs the permission to connect to vk.com: once a day, the script checks if Sci-Hub can be reached at the known domain and if it can't be reached, the script retrieves the new domain (if it's been updated) from Sci-Hub's official VK account.
    I hope it works as expected: you should see an alert on the first time you use this updated version of the script and any other time the domain changes.
  • v3.3.8 2021-09-29

    Updated the domain to sci-hub.ru
  • v3.3.7 2021-09-08
  • v3.3.7 2021-08-12

    Updated to the latest sci-hub domain (sci-hub.do).
  • v3.3.6 2021-06-07
  • v3.3.6 2021-06-07
  • v3.3.6 2021-03-30

    Small update for a better styling of buttons in WebOfScience/WebOfKnowledge
  • v3.3.5 2021-03-29

    Update for Scopus
  • v3.3.4 2020-09-27 Updated sci-hub domain.
  • v3.3.3 2020-04-20 Proper fix for Google Scholar. Working on both PC and mobile.
  • v3.3.2 2020-04-20 Quick fix for Scholar
  • v3.3.1 2019-02-14 Updated Web Of Science (Web Of Knowledge) part: now the script is working again, and it's lighter than before on WoS.
  • v3.3 2019-02-14 Updated Web Of Science (Web Of Knowledge) part: now the script is working again, and it's lighter than before on WoS.
  • v3.2.2 2018-10-27 Removed annoying alert left after debugging.
  • v3.2.1 2018-10-15 Fixed a bug that prevented direct download on sci-hub, and another bug showing an error on Google Scholar
  • v3.2.0 2018-06-25 Improved compatibility with WebOfScience (WebOfKnowledge)
  • v3.1.4 2018-06-14 Replaced cursor on some buttons where a text selector was shown instead of a pointer.
  • v3.1.3 2018-06-14 Updated outdated code for WebOfKnowledge
  • v3.1.2 2018-06-14 Replaced onclick with EventListener to prevent Content Security Policy errors triggered by using an inline script.
  • v3.1.1 2018-05-21 Faster direct download. This might trigger popup blockers, please create an exception for Google Scholar, WebOfScience, Scopus and Sci-Hub.
  • v3.1.0 2018-05-21 Added a direct download feature to speed up things: right click on a "Full Text From Sci-Hub" button on Scholar, Scopus or WOS, and choose "open in new tab"; if the captcha is not required, the download will start automatically, otherwise you'll have to insert the captcha and the download will start. Thanks to Alan Ordóñez for the suggestion.
  • v3.0.1 2018-03-20 improved greasemonkey compatibility
  • v3.0.0 2018-01-24 Added Google Scholar to the list of search engines working with this script.
  • v2.3.0 2017-12-18 Solved many problems with WOS: now work also on HTTP (not just HTTPS) and shows the buttons correctly.
  • v2.2.3 2017-12-13
  • v2.2.3 2017-12-13 New URL: sci-hub.tw.
  • v2.2.2 2017-12-08 updated server to https://scihub22266oqcxt.onion.link/
  • v2.2.1 2017-11-28 Even more improvements for WOS
  • v2.2 2017-11-28 More improvements in DOI and PubMedID identification on WebOfScience
  • v2.1 2017-11-28 Minor adjustment in WebOfScience part.
  • v2.0 2017-11-23 Added support for Web Of Science (AKA Web Of Knowledge) search engine. Simplified the code for Scopus. Easy replacement for Sci-Hub domain, in case it changes. Donation button (for the Sci-Hub project, not for me ;D) now opens sci-hub.bz/#donate in a new tab.
  • v1.0 2017-11-21