Best Call for Papers Software in 2026
Updated
In short: ConfTool is ranked #1 of 24 as of 5 October 2026, ahead of Fourwaves and HotCRP. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Fourwaves. The lowest first paid tier on this page is SimplyConf at $2.42/mo.
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 call for papers software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
14 of the 24 here have a free tier you can use, 0 have open-source code on record, and 0 have full bars: free, open, on most of your devices and documented.
| # | App | Signal | Free tier | Open code | Devices | From | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ConfToolWeb · Android · iPhone · Self-hosted | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 2 | FourwavesWeb · Android · iPhone · API | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | $83.25/mo | 6.5 | |
| 3 | HotCRPWeb · Linux · Self-hosted · API | Two bars | — | 2 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 4 | SessionizeWeb · Android · iPhone | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 5 | AirballoonWeb · API | Two bars | — | 1 of 6 | Free | 6.4 | |
| 6 | EasyChairWeb | Two bars | — | 1 of 6 | Free | 6.4 | |
| 7 | FiresideWeb · Self-hosted · API | Two bars | — | 1 of 6 | Free | 6.4 | |
| 8 | MeetingHand Abstract ManagementWeb | Two bars | — | 1 of 6 | $4.90/mo | 6.4 | |
| 9 | Microsoft CMTWeb | Two bars | — | 1 of 6 | Free | 6.4 | |
| 10 | OpenConfWeb · Self-hosted | Two bars | — | 1 of 6 | Free | 6.4 | |
| 11 | Oxford AbstractsWeb | Two bars | — | 1 of 6 | Free | 6.4 | |
| 12 | SimplyConfWeb · Self-hosted | Two bars | — | 1 of 6 | $2.42/mo | 6.4 | |
| 13 | LynkWeb | Two bars | — | 1 of 6 | Free | 6.3 | |
| 14 | Ex OrdoWeb · Android · iPhone | Two bars | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.5 |
| 15 | CATALYSTWeb | One bar | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 16 | AbstractWizWeb | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 17 | OpenReviewWeb · API | One bar | — | 1 of 6 | Free | 5.1 | |
| 18 | OpenRostrumWeb | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 19 | Smart AbstractWeb | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 20 | EDASWeb | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 4.8 |
| 21 | PaperpodWeb | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 4.7 |
| 22 | PropozifyWeb | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 4.7 |
| 23 | SymposiaWeb | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 4.7 |
| 24 | SessionboardWeb | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 4.6 |
Compare all 24 in a table
| # | App | Score | Free plan | From | Free plan | Paid from | Blind review | Submission types |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ConfTool | 6.5 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | — | — |
| 2 | Fourwaves | 6.5 | Free plan | $83.25/mo | Yes | 999 /yr | — | — |
| 3 | HotCRP | 6.5 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | Yes | mixed |
| 4 | Sessionize | 6.5 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | — | — |
| 5 | Airballoon | 6.4 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | Yes | mixed |
| 6 | EasyChair | 6.4 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | Yes | mixed |
| 7 | Fireside | 6.4 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | Yes | mixed |
| 8 | MeetingHand Abstract Management | 6.4 | Free plan | $4.90/mo | Yes | — | Yes | mixed |
| 9 | Microsoft CMT | 6.4 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | Yes | mixed |
| 10 | OpenConf | 6.4 | Free plan | — | Yes | — | — | mixed |
| 11 | Oxford Abstracts | 6.4 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | Yes | abstracts |
| 12 | SimplyConf | 6.4 | Free plan | $2.42/mo | Yes | 29 /yr | Yes | mixed |
| 13 | Lynk | 6.3 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | Yes | papers |
| 14 | Ex Ordo | 5.5 | No | — | — | — | — | — |
| 15 | CATALYST | 5.3 | No | — | — | — | — | — |
| 16 | AbstractWiz | 5.2 | No | — | Yes | — | Yes | mixed |
| 17 | OpenReview | 5.1 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | Yes | mixed |
| 18 | OpenRostrum | 5.1 | No | — | Yes | — | — | — |
| 19 | Smart Abstract | 5.1 | No | — | — | — | — | mixed |
| 20 | EDAS | 4.8 | No | — | No | — | Yes | mixed |
| 21 | Paperpod | 4.7 | No | — | No | — | — | abstracts |
| 22 | Propozify | 4.7 | No | — | No | — | — | — |
| 23 | Symposia | 4.7 | No | — | No | — | No | abstracts |
| 24 | Sessionboard | 4.6 | No | — | No | — | — | — |
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored, and a sponsored row is labelled as paid.
Questions about this list
Which call for papers software is ranked first on Freedom251?
ConfTool is ranked #1 of 24 with a score of 6.5. Fourwaves is second and HotCRP third.
How many of these have a free plan?
14 of the 24 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, SimplyConf has the lowest first paid tier we found: $2.42/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked free-and-open first: a usable free tier and open-source code, then the platforms it runs on and its documentation.