Direct comparison
Consort Vs Prisma: Key Differences & Comparison | CASRAI
CONSORT is the reporting guideline for randomised controlled trials; PRISMA is for systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Both are EQUATOR-listed checklists with flow diagrams for different study types.
Side-by-side comparison
| Dimension | CONSORT | PRISMA |
|---|---|---|
| Study type covered | Randomised controlled trials | Systematic reviews and meta-analyses |
| Full name | Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials | Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses |
| Latest version | CONSORT 2010, with a CONSORT 2025 update | PRISMA 2020 (superseded PRISMA 2009) |
| Checklist focus | How a trial was designed, conducted, and reported | How a review was searched, selected, and synthesised |
| Flow diagram | Participant flow through the trial | Flow of records through study selection |
| Registration link | Prospective trial registration (e.g. a trial registry) | Review registration (e.g. PROSPERO) |
| Extensions | Many (e.g. for specific trial designs and contexts) | Many (e.g. for specific review types and elements) |
| Who uses it | Trialists, journals, reviewers of RCT manuscripts | Review authors, journals, reviewers of review manuscripts |
| EQUATOR listing | Listed in the EQUATOR Network library | Listed in the EQUATOR Network library |
Common questions
FAQ
Can I use CONSORT for a systematic review?+
No — CONSORT is designed for randomised controlled trials. A systematic review or meta-analysis should be reported using PRISMA, which is structured around how the review was searched, selected, appraised, and synthesised. Choosing the right guideline depends on the study design.
Is PRISMA 2020 different from PRISMA 2009?+
Yes — PRISMA 2020 is an updated version that superseded the 2009 statement, reflecting advances in systematic-review methods and reporting. Authors reporting new reviews should follow PRISMA 2020 and its current flow diagram rather than the older 2009 version.
Do journals require these guidelines?+
Many do. A large number of journals require authors of trials to follow CONSORT and authors of systematic reviews to follow PRISMA, often asking for a completed checklist indicating where each item is addressed in the manuscript.
Going deeper
