AlphaFold Server is DeepMind's hosted protein structure prediction tool, offering AlphaFold2 and AlphaFold3 for academic use. SciRouter provides API access to ESMFold, Boltz-2, and other models alongside 30+ additional scientific computing tools. Here's how they compare.
Fair comparison. Last updated March 2026.
| Feature | SciRouter | AlphaFold Server |
|---|---|---|
| API Access | Full REST API + Python SDK | Web UI only (no API) |
| Speed | 5-10 seconds (ESMFold) | Minutes to hours (queue) |
| Models Available | ESMFold, Boltz-2, DiffDock + 30 more | AlphaFold2, AlphaFold3 |
| Commercial Use | All tiers | Non-commercial only |
| Batch Processing | Unlimited via API | 10 jobs/day limit |
| AI Agent Support | MCP server built-in | None |
| Molecular Docking | DiffDock, AutoDock Vina | Not available |
| Drug Discovery Tools | ADMET, properties, similarity | Structure only |
| Tier | SciRouter | AlphaFold Server |
|---|---|---|
| Free | 500 credits/month | Free (non-commercial) |
| Pay-as-you-go | From $0.01/call | N/A |
| Commercial | Available | Not available |
Choose AlphaFold Server if you need the highest accuracy AlphaFold3 model for academic research with no programming required. Choose SciRouter if you need API access for automation, commercial use, multiple model types, or integration with AI agents and drug discovery pipelines.