Introducing Hypothesis commenting on bioRxiv and medRxiv: an updated way to engage with preprints

An important part of our mission at openRxiv is to collaborate with other organizations to improve science communication and promote interoperability. Preprints are just one part of the research workflow, and we want to ensure they are effectively integrated with the tools and communities that drive scientific progress. Today, we’re excited to share about another step in that mission: the launch of updated article-level commenting on bioRxiv and medRxiv powered by our long-standing partner Hypothesis. As discussion around preprints continues to grow, this is an opportunity to update the commenting experience and better support constructive engagement around early research. The launch begins with medRxiv and the Neuroscience category on bioRxiv, with near-term expansion to all categories. Updated 2026-04-30: Now live on all of bioRxiv and medRxiv.

A partnership built over time

This launch builds on a long-running collaboration between bioRxiv and Hypothesis that began in 2017 and expanded through later open science initiatives. Our expanded work with Hypothesis reflects our belief that preprints are most valuable when they are embedded in an active, interconnected scientific ecosystem.

How commenting on bioRxiv and medRxiv works

Commenting has been available on bioRxiv and medRxiv preprints since they were launched, using Disqus as the commenting platform. Since then, we have seen more than 29,000 on-site comments across bioRxiv and medRxiv, as well as formal reviews available through PREreview, Review Commons, EMBO journals, eLife, Arcadia Science, Rapid Reviews Infectious Diseases, PCI, preLights and others.

To support constructive scientific discussion, comments on bioRxiv and medRxiv are moderated before posting to ensure they abide by our community guidelines, which can take up to 24 hours. 

If you’re just getting started with commenting or even if you want a reminder of some best-practices, here are a few principles from ASAPbio’s FAST Principles for Preprint Feedback.

• Focus: Focus on the content of the preprint and the science and not the personal
• Appropriate: Engage responsibly and with integrity aligned with scientific discourse
• Specific: Feedback should be specific, clear, actionable, and useful for the authors to improve the work.
• Transparent: Acknowledge where you may not have expertise and credit other contributors to the feedback. 

Authors have long told us they value this type of quality feedback on their preprints. With this partnership, we are looking forward to increasing use of the comments section for engaging discussions that benefit authors and readers alike!

What’s new with Hypothesis commenting

With this partnership with Hypothesis, we’re replacing the Disqus commenting system with Hypothesis. All existing comments were migrated and continue to be available. See our overview on commenting.

For existing users, the core purpose of commenting remains the same: readers can continue to share feedback, ask questions, and engage with preprints in a public forum, with the same level of moderation as always. What has changed is the technology behind that experience, with the open source platform Hypothesis now powering commenting on bioRxiv. This change will allow us to introduce exciting new features over time, like author email notifications of new comments, which is now available. 

If you’ve commented on or read comments on a preprint before, the overall experience will be familiar, with an updated look and feel. If you haven’t commented before, now is your opportunity! 

• Readers can continue to share insights, ask questions, and contribute perspectives directly on bioRxiv preprints.
• Authors can engage with commentary that helps surface new ideas and strengthen evolving work and will now receive an email notification when the first comment is posted on their preprint, so they won’t miss an important discussion.
• Research groups, journal clubs, and educators gain a structured way to bring active discussion into preprint reading.

A model for open science

Much like linking preprints to underlying datasets builds trust and enables reanalysis by the community, article-level commenting creates new pathways for validation, critique, and collaboration. Both reflect the same core principle: that scientific work is strengthened when it is open, connected, and engaging to a wider community. Millions of students already use Hypothesis in educational settings to read closely and think critically. Bringing this same ethos into research communication strengthens the entire arc of learning, from classroom to lab. See more on the Hypothesis blog.

We hope this updated commenting experience makes it easier for readers to ask questions, share insights, and contribute constructive feedback on preprints. Head to the Reviews and Context section on any preprint to find the button for Comments and add your perspective and questions.