Several tools now run ready-made AI models on CT, MRI and PET scans without any code. The best tool for your research case depends on your hardware and your study variables.
For most researchers without coding experience, we recommend Nalvera.AI: an all-in-one AI model hub with state-of-the-art models, imaging biomarker calculation, and image analysis methods. No GPU, no installation, and every step implemented to facilitate your research, from scan to study results.
Create your accountNalvera.AI: An All-in-One Platform for Imaging Research
Nalvera.AI combines a complete research ecosystem with a curated hub of community-recognized AI models. You upload your medical scans in several supported formats, including DICOM and NIfTI, and do the rest in your browser. Managed, EU-hosted GPUs do the computing, so you extract your study variables without any infrastructure of your own. Depending on your research case, you can:
- Segment organs, bones, muscles, and body composition on CT and MRI. Choose automatic models such as TotalSegmentator, MOOSE CT, MuscleMap MRI, and MRSegmentator, or interactive segmentation with Nalvera iSeg, and fine-tune the outlines yourself with advanced multi-dimensional adaptive brush tools, interpolation tools, and more.
- Generate synthetic CT and brain MRI images with no scan to upload and no patient behind them, to share with colleagues and collaborators.
- Create research reports from CT with Stanford Merlin and NV-Reason-CT.
- Design and analyze your study in Study Design: create all your own variables, organize patients and scans, measure what matters to you, follow it over time, and compare groups.
- Register and overlay PET, SPECT, MRI, and CT on top of each other, and extract functional imaging parameters for each structure.
- Export results in open image data formats, with reports of your derived study variables.
- Share a credit budget across your lab.
- Make your own AI model available to other researchers through the partner program, and earn when a Nalvera.AI user runs it.
That is what makes Nalvera.AI unique: one account takes you from patient scans to an accelerated research study.
How Do the Tools Compare?
| Tool | Runs on | GPU for AI | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nalvera.AI | Your browser, with hosted GPUs | None | Free to start (10 AI tasks), then pay per use |
| 3D Slicer | Your computer, after installation | Optional, slower without | Free, open source |
| ITK-SNAP | Your computer, after installation | Required | Free, open source |
| MedMLX | Your Mac, from a terminal | Apple silicon only | Free, open source |
| MedSeg | Your browser | Optional, slower without | Free for research |
| Total | The authors' website | None | No fee: you give your data away |
| volBrain | Its website | None | Free for research |
| RECOMIA | Its website | None | No price listed |
What to Know About the Other Tools
- 3D Slicer: desktop software you install yourself, with AI extensions. Interactive AI often needs a GPU on your computer or a connection to a GPU server. See 3D Slicer vs Nalvera.AI.
- ITK-SNAP: desktop software for manual and semi-automatic outlining. Its AI tools need Python and an NVIDIA GPU, on your computer or a connected server.
- MedMLX: runs only on Apple silicon Macs, such as a MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, or Mac Studio, and you install and run it from a terminal.
- MedSeg: AI models and manual outlining in the browser.
- TotalSegmentator web app: segments one scan at a time. The cost is your data: under the terms of totalsegmentator.com, uploads can be used to improve the model and shared with other parties or the public in anonymized form.
- volBrain: measures brain structures on MRI and emails you a PDF report.
- RECOMIA: research tools for PET/CT and CT, with access by email request.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best medical imaging AI tool for researchers without coding experience?
For most researchers, Nalvera.AI: an all-in-one AI model hub with state-of-the-art models, imaging biomarker calculation, and image analysis methods, in the browser and with no installation or GPU.
Can I use interactive AI segmentation without a GPU?
Yes. On Nalvera.AI you click on a structure in your browser, and hosted GPUs return the 3D outline. In 3D Slicer and ITK-SNAP, interactive AI often needs a local GPU or a connection to a GPU server.
How do I measure organ volumes across a whole study without coding?
Create a study on Nalvera.AI, add your scans, and run a segmentation model, for example TotalSegmentator. Each structure is then measured in your browser, and you can follow the results over time and compare patient groups.
What is a browser-based alternative to 3D Slicer?
Nalvera.AI runs in the browser, with no software to install, and adds measurements, follow-up, and group comparison across a whole study.
How much does Nalvera.AI cost?
It is free to start: each new account gets 10 AI tasks and 5 credits a month. After that you pay per use, and you see the cost of each AI task before you submit it.
Start Your Research on Nalvera.AI
Create your account, then upload your own scan or start with a sample scan. Each account includes 10 AI tasks and 5 credits a month, and you see the cost of each AI task before you submit it.
Create your accountResearch use only. Nalvera.AI is not a medical device, and AI-generated outputs are not intended for clinical diagnosis or treatment.