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Best Call for Papers Software in 2026

Managing a call for papers means handling submissions, review workflows, and event scheduling. Compared on blind review, reviewer limits, review stages, schedule builders, submission limits, and submission types, these entries help frame the practical requirements of an event. ConfTool, Fourwaves, and HotCRP are among the software options included. Consider whether the listed workflow features match the way your submissions will be assessed and organized. A free plan and paid-from pricing can also help clarify access and cost, while reviewer and submission limits may be relevant constraints as you plan.

24 apps
Research read 23 Sept 2026
How the order is worked out

1

HotCRP

Free plan Open source APILinuxMac+2

HotCRP covers submission, review, and committee meeting workflows, with hosted and self-hosted routes.

9.0 Free plan · paid from $7.50 Visit site
2

ConfTool

Free plan AndroidiPhoneSelf-hosted+1

ConfTool covers core conference workflows from submission and scheduling through registration and invoicing.

7.6 Free plan Visit site
3

Airballoon

Free plan APIWeb

AirBalloon covers a broad academic-conference workflow, from submission and review to attendee networking. Organizers should check module-specific charges, since some services have listed fees.

7.4 Free plan Visit site
4

Fourwaves

Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+2

Fourwaves combines submission, review, registration and event tools for academic conferences. The free Starter plan has a 25-submission annual cap, and each listed plan carries a 3% service fee.

7.4 Free plan · paid from $999/yr Visit site
5

AbstractWiz

Free plan Web

AbstractWiz brings submission, review, communications, and abstract-book preparation into an event workflow.

7.3 Free plan · paid from $270 Visit site
6

Fireside

Free plan APISelf-hostedWeb

Fireside combines proposal intake, review workflows, speaker management, and agenda planning in one conference tool.

7.3 Free plan Visit site
7

EasyChair

Free plan Web

EasyChair covers conference submissions, peer review, and publishing in a web service. Choose a license based on submission volume and support needs; installation on your own server is not available.

7.1 Free plan · paid from $4 Visit site
8

Lynk

Free plan Web

Lynk connects paper handling, peer review, decisions, revisions, and session scheduling in a conference workflow.

6.9 Free plan Visit site
9

MeetingHand Abstract Management
by MeetingHand Abstract Management
Free plan Web

MeetingHand brings submission collection, review, scheduling, and proceedings export into a web-based workflow for academic events.

6.9 Free plan · paid from $4.90 Visit site
10

OpenConf

Free plan Self-hostedWeb

OpenConf covers submission collection through review decisions, proceedings, and program scheduling.

6.9 Free plan · paid from $400 Visit site
11

OpenReview

Free plan APIWeb

Choose OpenReview if your venue needs configurable peer review, reviewer matching, and paper discussion within a free platform.

6.9 Free plan Visit site
12

OpenRostrum

Free plan Self-hostedWeb

Choose OpenRostrum if you need an all-in-one workflow for speaker management, proposal review, and publishing a conference agenda.

6.9 Free plan Visit site
13

Sessionize

Free plan AndroidiPhoneWeb

Sessionize covers speaker submissions, evaluation, session management, and schedule publishing, with an offline-capable attendee app.

6.9 Free plan · paid from $499 Visit site
14

Microsoft CMT

Free plan Web

CMT covers configurable peer-review workflows, collaboration, and conference scheduling at no listed cost.

6.8 Free plan Visit site
15

Oxford Abstracts

Free plan Web

Oxford Abstracts combines submission and review workflows with tools for running conference programs and event activities.

6.7 Free plan · paid from $890 Visit site
16

SimplyConf

Free plan Self-hostedWeb

SimplyConf covers core conference workflows for free, with separate add-ons and bundles for review, payments, email, schedules, and exports.

6.7 Free plan · paid from $29/yr Visit site
17

Ex Ordo
by Ex Ordo
Paid AndroidiPhoneWeb

Choose Ex Ordo if you organize scholarly conferences and want abstract handling, peer review, registration, and event delivery in one platform.

5.7 Pricing on request Visit site
18

CATALYST

Paid Web

CATALYST brings application intake, review, and program management into one web platform. Organizations should request a quote to learn the price for their program.

5.6 Pricing on request Visit site
19

EDAS

Paid Web

EDAS covers a broad conference and journal workflow, including submission, review, registration, and event tools. Costs depend on the services used, and paper processing has a 60 USD minimum.

5.5 From $60 Visit site
20

Paperpod

Paid Web

Paperpod covers the submission-to-agenda workflow and includes registration and exhibitor tools. Its per-event prices and registrant caps make event size an important consideration.

5.1 From $1,000 Visit site
21

Sessionboard

Paid APIWeb

Sessionboard brings program, awards, and content-marketing workflows together, with integrations and a public API.

5.1 Pricing on request Visit site
22

Propozify

Paid Web

Propozify covers proposal intake, review, communications, and conference scheduling in a branded web platform. Organizations should compare plan limits and request a quote based on their needs.

5.0 Pricing on request Visit site
23

Symposia

Paid Web

Symposia brings core academic-conference administration into one service, with attendee notifications and data export.

4.9 From €900 Visit site
24

Smart Abstract

Paid Web

Smart Abstract covers submission, review, scheduling and attendee-facing conference information.

4.6 Pricing on request Visit site

#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price

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