Side by side
GetSpot vs ProgramChair
Both stand on event scheduling software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan AndroidiPhone
GetSpot brings group membership, event scheduling, waitlists, and wallet-based fee handling into one mobile app. Its offline payment approach and commitment-deadline cancellation rules are important to consider.
Visit GetSpot Free plan Self-hostedWeb
ProgramChair covers the main academic conference workflow, including reviews, scheduling, communications, and backups. Societies can choose provider hosting or run it on their own site and domain.
Visit ProgramChairThe facts
| GetSpot | ProgramChair | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Android, iPhone | Self-hosted, Web |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 1 | 2 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | getspot.org | programchair.io |
| On event scheduling software | #8 of 34 | #12 of 34 |
GetSpot: what it does well
- Free, with no subscription or per-transaction fee.
- Waitlists promote the next registrant automatically.
- Players receive event and reminder notifications.
- Organizers can manage groups and member wallets.
What to know first
- Payments are collected offline.
- Sign-in uses Google or Apple.
ProgramChair: what it does well
- Configurable submission and review forms
- Topic-based reviewer matching and allocation
- Program scheduling flags author conflicts
- Audited mailings with resend support
- Readable single-file conference backups
What to know first
- Pricing is set separately with each society
- The software is described as new
- Only a small number of 2027 societies invited
Alternatives to GetSpot Alternatives to ProgramChair The whole list