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Head-to-head · Call for Papers Software

Airballoon vs OpenReview

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score Airballoon #3 in Call for Papers Software 8.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 2 features Visit Airballoon
OpenReview #7 in Call for Papers Software 7.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 2 features Visit OpenReview

Airballoon leads on 1 check, OpenReview on 0, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreAirballoon · 8.2/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresAirballoon · 2 of 2

Airballoon scores higher on our rubric for call for papers software: 8.2 against 7.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #7.

On review stages, Airballoon gives you Custom where OpenReview offers Multi_stage. Airballoon offers schedule builder; OpenReview doesn't publish it.

Airballoon is the better fit for end-to-end conferences with attendee operations. OpenReview is the better fit for open, API-driven peer review.

  • Airballoon fits best

    End-to-end conferences with attendee operations

  • OpenReview fits best

    Open, API-driven peer review

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. It never changes our verdict. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Airballoon 8.2/10 Visit ↗ OpenReview 7.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.2 7.4
Ranking #3 in Call for Papers Software #7 in Call for Papers Software
Best for End-to-end conferences with attendee operations Open, API-driven peer review
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud
Platforms Web Web
Support Email, Docs Email, Docs
Integrations 9 integrations 1 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Airballoon 2/2 · OpenReview 1/2
Blind review ✓ ✓
Schedule builder ✓ (best) Not published
Specs
Submission types Mixed Mixed
Review stages Custom Multi_stage
Submission limit Not published Not published
Reviewer limit Not published Not published
Our review
Pros
  • Supports paper, abstract, poster, and proposal submissions
  • Combines blind review, committee management, and custom review stages
  • Extends into websites, schedules, registration, networking, and payments
  • Supports conferences, workshops, journals, and symposiums
  • Configurable forms, review stages, visibility, and conflict management
  • REST API supports workflow automation, assignments, and permissions
Cons
  • Registration can incur transaction fees
  • Presentation storage can incur storage fees
  • Its broad event scope may exceed the needs of CFP-only teams
  • Its focus is scholarly review rather than general event operations
  • REST API is the only listed integration
  • Web and API access are the listed platform options
Our verdict

Airballoon is a web-based conference-management platform from Lumvex Labs LLC for academic conferences and workshops. It covers the conference lifecycle from CFP publication and paper, abstract, poster, and proposal submissions through…

Read the review →

OpenReview is a cloud-based platform for conferences, workshops, journals, symposiums, and other reviewing entities. It covers paper and abstract submission, reviewer invitations, paper groups, deadlines, customizable forms, review…

Read the review →
  1. AirballoonCall for Papers Software 8.2Free plan
  2. OpenReviewCall for Papers Software 7.4Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Airballoon — where it wins

    • Supports paper, abstract, poster, and proposal submissions
    • Combines blind review, committee management, and custom review stages
    • Extends into websites, schedules, registration, networking, and payments

    Where it doesn't

    • Registration can incur transaction fees
    • Presentation storage can incur storage fees
    • Its broad event scope may exceed the needs of CFP-only teams

  • OpenReview — where it wins

    • Supports conferences, workshops, journals, and symposiums
    • Configurable forms, review stages, visibility, and conflict management
    • REST API supports workflow automation, assignments, and permissions

    Where it doesn't

    • Its focus is scholarly review rather than general event operations
    • REST API is the only listed integration
    • Web and API access are the listed platform options

More comparisons

All call for papers software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026

Last updated · How we research and update