Standalone Versus Bundled Pricing
Researchers frequently ask whether they should order a standalone meta-analysis or the combined systematic review plus meta-analysis bundle. The right choice depends on where you are in your project.
| Option | Starting Price | What Is Included | Best For |
|---|
| Standalone meta-analysis | $825 | Effect size calculation, pooling, forest plots, funnel plots, heterogeneity assessment, subgroup and sensitivity analyses, GRADE tables, reproducible code, results narrative | Researchers who have already completed a systematic review and have extracted data ready for quantitative pooling |
| Systematic review plus meta-analysis bundle | $1,500 | Everything in the standalone meta-analysis plus protocol development, database searching, screening, data extraction, risk of bias assessment, PRISMA 2020 flow diagram, and full manuscript | Researchers who need the complete evidence synthesis pipeline from protocol to publication |
The bundle saves over $200 compared to ordering our systematic review service and our Research Gold meta-analysis separately. If you have already completed the qualitative component of your systematic review and have a data extraction spreadsheet ready, the standalone option is faster and more cost-effective. If you are starting from a research question and need the entire review conducted, the bundle provides the best value.
For a detailed walkthrough of what the systematic review component includes, see our systematic review pricing guide.
Regardless of whether you choose Bronze, Silver, or Gold, every meta-analysis from Research Gold includes the following deliverables:
- Effect size calculation. Computation of the appropriate effect measure for every included study, including validated imputation methods when primary studies report incomplete statistics.
- Forest plots. Publication-quality forest plots for each pooled outcome, delivered in high-resolution PNG and editable PDF format, displaying individual study estimates, confidence intervals, weights, and the summary diamond. Preview the format with our free forest plot tool.
- Funnel plots with Egger's test. Visual assessment of publication bias and small-study effects, accompanied by Egger's regression test and trim-and-fill adjustment when asymmetry is detected. Try it with our interactive funnel plot generator.
- Heterogeneity assessment. Full reporting of I-squared, tau-squared, Cochran's Q statistic, and prediction intervals so you and your reviewers can evaluate the consistency of results across studies.
- Subgroup analyses. Pre-specified subgroup comparisons with separate forest plots and formal tests for subgroup differences.
- Sensitivity analyses. Leave-one-out analysis, restriction to low-risk-of-bias studies, and alternative model specifications to test the robustness of your pooled estimates.
When comparing meta-analysis providers, the advertised price often does not reflect the final cost. Many freelancers and agencies use low base prices and then charge separately for components that are essential to a publishable meta-analysis. Here are the most common hidden costs:
- Per-figure charges. Some providers include only one forest plot in their base price and charge $50 to $200 for each additional figure. A typical meta-analysis with multiple outcomes, subgroup analyses, and sensitivity checks can require 10 or more forest plots, adding $500 to $2,000 to the final bill. Research Gold includes all figures at no additional cost.
- Code delivery fees. Reproducible code is increasingly required by journals and reviewers. Providers who do not include annotated code as standard may charge $200 to $500 to deliver it. Research Gold includes fully annotated R or Stata code with every project.
- Additional analysis surcharges. Subgroup analyses, meta-regression, and sensitivity analyses are frequently listed as add-ons costing $100 to $400 each. Since most peer reviewers request at least some of these analyses, they are effectively mandatory. Research Gold includes all supplementary analyses as standard.
- GRADE table fees. Some providers charge separately for GRADE summary of findings tables, typically $200 to $500. This assessment is expected by most journals and thesis committees. Research Gold includes GRADE tables with every project.
- Revision charges. After a provider delivers initial results, you will almost certainly need revisions. Thesis supervisors, journal reviewers, and co-authors all request changes. Providers who cap revisions at one or two rounds charge $100 to $500 per additional round. Research Gold includes unlimited revisions.
A provider quoting $400 for a meta-analysis may ultimately cost $1,500 or more once essential components are added. Always ask what is included before comparing headline prices. Research Gold's discover our research rates covers everything described above with no hidden fees.
The decision between conducting a meta-analysis in-house and outsourcing to a professional service involves both direct and indirect costs.
In-house costs. A researcher or biostatistician conducting a meta-analysis in-house faces the following time commitments: learning or refreshing meta-analytic methodology (20 to 40 hours for researchers without prior experience), data extraction verification (5 to 20 hours depending on number of studies), running analyses and generating figures (10 to 30 hours), writing the results narrative (5 to 15 hours), and responding to reviewer feedback with additional analyses (5 to 20 hours per revision round). At a biostatistician salary of $40 to $60 per hour, the total labor cost for a single meta-analysis ranges from $1,800 to $7,500. This does not account for the opportunity cost of time diverted from other research, teaching, or clinical duties.
Software costs. R is free, but Stata licenses range from $395 (annual) to $1,595 (perpetual) depending on the edition. GRADEpro, used for GRADE summary of findings tables, requires a subscription. Some institutions provide these tools, but individual researchers may need to purchase them.
Outsourced costs. A professional meta-analysis from Research Gold starts at $825 and includes all analyses, all figures, all code, GRADE tables, and unlimited revisions. The work is performed by PhD biostatisticians who conduct meta-analyses routinely, meaning they complete the work faster and with fewer errors than a researcher performing the analysis for the first time.
| Cost Component | In-House | Outsourced (Research Gold) |
|---|
| Biostatistician labor | $1,800 to $7,500 | Included in service fee |
| Software licenses | $0 (R) to $1,595 (Stata) | Included |
| Learning time | 20 to 40 hours | Not applicable |
| Revision cycles | 5 to 20 hours per round | Unlimited, included |
| Total estimated cost | $1,800 to $9,000+ | $825 to $1,238 |
| Timeline | 4 to 16 weeks | 1 to 5 weeks |
For researchers who already possess strong biostatistical expertise and access to institutional software, conducting a meta-analysis in-house can be cost-effective. For everyone else, the combination of lower cost, faster delivery, and expert quality control makes outsourcing the more practical choice.
Once you have a price ballpark, the hire a meta-analysis expert guide covers how to vet credentials, request sample analyses, and structure a contract that protects both sides.
Before committing to a paid service, use our free, browser-based tools to explore your data, run preliminary calculations, and assess whether your studies are suitable for quantitative pooling:
- reliable effect size calculator. Compute Cohen's d, Hedges' g, odds ratios, risk ratios, and other effect size metrics from your study data. Useful for verifying extracted data before sending it to a biostatistician.
- try our forest plot generator. Create publication-style forest plots directly in your browser. Preview the visual format of your pooled results without installing software.
- try our funnel plot generator. Visualize potential publication bias and small-study effects with interactive funnel plots.
- meta-analysis sensitivity calculator. Run leave-one-out analyses to test whether any single study disproportionately influences your pooled estimate.
These tools are free to use with no account required. They complement our professional service by helping you scope your project and prepare a more informed brief when you request pricing for your protocol development. For a detailed explanation of the methodology behind every analysis, read learn about our complete meta-analysis guide.
Modern meta-analysis services increasingly deliver reproducible R code alongside visual outputs, which reviewers now expect for transparency and replication.
If you prefer a hands-on approach, our guide to conducting meta-analysis in R walks through the full workflow using the metafor package.