Web of Science (WoS) is the gold standard for academic indexing, but it has one major frustration: It does not host the actual PDF files. It is merely a catalog. When you click "Full Text," you are often redirected to a publisher's site (like IEEE or Elsevier) that demands a $30 payment.

Don't pay that fee. In 2026, there are efficient, legal, and clever ways to bypass these paywalls. Here is your step-by-step guide to downloading full-text papers from WoS for free.

Method 1: The "One-Click" Browser Extensions (Legal & Fast)

The easiest way to get PDFs is to let a browser extension hunt for them automatically. These tools scan the web for legal "Open Access" versions of the paper (e.g., preprints uploaded to university servers) while you browse WoS.

1. EndNote Click (Formerly Kopernio)

Owned by Clarivate (the same company that owns Web of Science), this is the most integrated tool.

• How it works: Once installed, whenever you view a paper on WoS, a purple "View PDF" button appears in the bottom left corner.

• Bonus: It saves the PDF to your personal cloud locker automatically.

2. Unpaywall

This is a database of millions of legal, open-access articles.

• The Visual Cue: Look for the Lock Icon on the right side of your browser.

  • Green Lock: Free version available (Click to download).

  • Gray Lock: No legal free version found.

Method 2: The "DOI" Trick (Sci-Hub)

If the paper is not Open Access, researchers worldwide turn to the "Shadow Library." While legally grey in some regions, it is the most effective method for accessing older or strictly paywalled content.

The Workflow:

1. Find the DOI: On the Web of Science record page, scroll down to the "Document Information" section. Copy the alphanumeric string starting with 10.xxx (e.g., 10.1109/ACCESS.2026.12345).

2. Paste into Sci-Hub: Go to a working Sci-Hub mirror (search "Sci-Hub 2026" if the main domain is blocked).

3. Unlock: Paste the DOI and hit "Open." The PDF will load immediately.

Method 3: The "Social" Approach (ResearchGate)

Many authors archive their own work on academic social networks.

1. Copy the Title of the paper from WoS.

2. Search it on ResearchGate or Academia.edu.

3. "Request Full-Text": If the file isn't public, click the "Request" button. The author will receive an email and often send you the private copy within 24 hours. This is fully legal and a great way to network.

Method 4: The "Hidden" Institutional Proxy

You might already have access without knowing it.

• VPN / EZProxy: If you are a student or alumni, ensure you are logged into your university library's VPN.

• Google Scholar Link: Configure Google Scholar settings to link to your library ("Library Links"). When you search the title there, it will show a "Full Text @ [Your University]" link.

Summary: The 2026 Workflow

Next time you see a paywall on Web of Science, follow this flowchart:

1. Check EndNote Click (Purple Button).

2. Check Unpaywall (Green Lock).

3. Search the DOI on Sci-Hub.

4. Request from the author on ResearchGate.