Is SciTube Legitimate? How We Support Researchers Worldwide
Why Researchers Ask This Question
If you typed “Is SciTube predatory?” or “Is SciTube legitimate?” into Google, you’re not alone. In recent years, academics have become understandably wary of predatory journals, exploitative author services, and platforms that take advantage of researchers’ need to publish and share their work.
The growth of predatory publishing has created a culture of suspicion, where anything new is approached with caution. Researchers ask the right questions: Is this trustworthy? Will it damage my reputation? Is it worth my funding budget?
These are fair questions. And they’re the reason this article exists: to explain clearly what SciTube is, how it works, and why we are trusted by researchers, universities, funders, and publishers around the world.
Why SciTube Sometimes Gets Accused of Being Predatory
We want to address something head-on: occasionally, SciTube gets labelled as predatory — often by people who have never spoken to us, never seen our workflow, and never worked with our team.
Why? Because in today’s academic landscape, the moment researchers hear from a service they’re not familiar with, alarms ring. They assume it’s another predatory journal or vanity publisher. That suspicion is healthy — academics should be cautious.
But caution shouldn’t become misinformation. The truth is: SciTube is the opposite of predatory. We’re transparent, accountable, and trusted by leading institutions worldwide.
We’ve even invited some of our most vocal critics to test our process and provide honest feedback. None have taken us up on the offer — which says a lot about the strength of our model, and perhaps more about their own integrity.
Predatory Services vs. SciTube
To understand the difference, let’s compare directly:
| Predatory Services | SciTube |
|---|---|
| Hidden fees – the advertised cost is just the start; extra charges appear for formatting, hosting, or “fast-track.” | Transparent pricing – all costs are public: £2,310 for 3-minute 2D animation, all inclusive. |
| Questionable outlets – fake journals, poor indexing, little to no dissemination. | Trusted by institutions – real clients include universities, funders, and societies; dissemination across YouTube, social, and press. |
| No quality control – researchers submit text, and it’s published as-is. | PhD-level writing + professional animation – every project reviewed and approved by you at each stage. |
| Researchers do the work – you’re expected to write, format, and edit everything yourself. | We do everything – our team handles scriptwriting, storyboarding, animation, voiceover, editing, and dissemination. |
| Upfront payment – full fees demanded before any work is done, with no guarantee of quality. | No upfront payment – we don’t ask for full payment until your project is complete and delivered. |
| Reputation at risk – publishing with them can harm your CV and credibility. | Reputation enhanced – SciTube videos support grants, increase visibility, and strengthen impact reporting. |
The difference couldn’t be clearer: predatory services exploit you; SciTube exists to support and empower you.
Who We Are
SciTube is part of Science Diffusion Ltd, a UK-based science communication company founded in 2015. We specialise in 2D and 3D science animations that turn complex research into accessible, engaging stories for global audiences.
Our team is small but highly skilled:
-
Dr Nelly Berg — Executive Editor, leading script development and accuracy.
-
Mimi — animation and design specialist with nine years of experience translating science visually.
-
Avril — social media and dissemination manager, ensuring your research reaches beyond academia.
-
Oliver — sales operations manager, guiding researchers with data-driven insights and clear options.
We’re not a faceless email address. We’re a real team, visible on our Meet the Team page, accountable for every project we deliver.
Who Trusts SciTube
Since launch, SciTube has worked with:
-
Universities across the UK, US, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
-
Funded projects supported by Horizon Europe, UKRI, NIH, and more.
-
Publishers and societies integrating video abstracts into their author services.
Some real-world examples:
-
Purdue University highlighted their agricultural research through SciTube animations, embedding them into teaching and outreach.
-
Professor Bruce Bowerman (University of Oregon) described his SciTube video as “an effective tool for research dissemination,” reaching both scientists and students with complex molecular biology explained in simple terms.
-
Rachel Bryant-Waugh & Tanith Archibald (South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust) praised SciTube’s professionalism, noting that “our funders were also very pleased, commenting on how helpful and impactful the video was.”
-
Lauren K. Terry (Human Services Research Institute) said: “I’ve worked with SciTube before, and I was thrilled to collaborate with them again… SciTube’s work provides clear knowledge translation suitable for audiences of all ages and abilities.”
These are not generic quotes — they are real testimonials from respected academics and organisations.
Our Workflow: Clear and Collaborative
Transparency isn’t just about pricing — it’s about process. Here’s how every project works:
1. Scriptwriting — created by a PhD-level science writer, approved by the client.
2. Storyboarding — a visual plan shared for feedback.
3. Animation & Voiceover — professional production, no shortcuts.
4. Review Rounds — researchers request changes before sign-off.
5. Delivery & Dissemination — final video delivered in multiple formats, shared globally.
At each stage, you stay in control. This structured, collaborative model is the opposite of the “pay, publish, and disappear” approach of predatory outfits.
Transparent Pricing
Our pricing is public and straightforward:
-
2D animation — £2,310 (3 minutes standard)
-
3D animation — £8,000 per minute
No hidden costs. No “extras” tacked on later. And unlike predatory outfits, we don’t demand full payment up front. You pay when the work is complete and delivered.
Why Researchers Choose SciTube
Researchers return to SciTube because animations are more than just visuals — they deliver real impact:
-
For grants: Dr Thomas Tonon, an independent researcher, shared that SciTube “offered a unique platform to reach policymakers” and praised the team’s responsiveness throughout.
-
For teaching: Professor Bowerman (University of Oregon) uses his SciTube video to engage students and researchers alike.
-
For funders: Bryant-Waugh & Archibald (NHS Foundation Trust) confirmed that their funders were “particularly pleased” with how SciTube made complex concepts accessible.
-
For visibility: Lauren K. Terry (HSRI) highlighted SciTube’s metrics reports as invaluable for tracking the reach and engagement of her projects.
Testimonials from Researchers
“Working with SciTube was a valuable and rewarding experience. My primary goal was to share my research and conclusions with a broader audience, especially policymakers, and SciTube offered a unique platform to do just that.” – Dr Thomas Tonon
“We had a great experience working with SciTube. Our funders were also very pleased, commenting on how helpful and impactful the video was.” – Rachel Bryant-Waugh & Tanith Archibald, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
“I had a great experience working with SciTube! The video effectively communicates complex molecular biology to a general audience… I would definitely recommend SciTube to colleagues.” – Professor Bruce Bowerman, University of Oregon
“I’ve worked with SciTube before, and I was thrilled to collaborate with them again. SciTube’s work provides clear knowledge translation suitable for audiences of all ages and abilities.” – Lauren K. Terry, Human Services Research Institute
The Verdict: Is SciTube Legitimate?
Yes. SciTube is a legitimate, transparent, and professional science communication service trusted by academics worldwide.
We acknowledge that suspicion exists. We know we sometimes get labelled unfairly — even by people who’ve never interacted with us. But healthy scepticism is good for science, and when you look closely, the evidence is clear: SciTube is the opposite of predatory.