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Head-to-head · Manuscript Submission Software

EasyChair vs Open Journal Systems

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score EasyChair #1 in Manuscript Submission Software 9.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Visit EasyChair
Open Journal Systems #4 in Manuscript Submission Software 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit site

EasyChair leads on 0 checks, Open Journal Systems on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreEasyChair · 9.3/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresOpen Journal Systems · 5 of 5

EasyChair scores higher on our rubric for manuscript submission software: 9.3 against 8.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #4.

EasyChair is the better fit for established conferences managing the full submission cycle. Open Journal Systems is the better fit for journals wanting free, end-to-end publishing workflows.

  • EasyChair fits best

    Established conferences managing the full submission cycle

  • Open Journal Systems fits best

    Journals wanting free, end-to-end publishing workflows

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature EasyChair 9.3/10 Visit ↗ Open Journal Systems 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 8.9
Ranking #1 in Manuscript Submission Software #4 in Manuscript Submission Software
Best for Established conferences managing the full submission cycle Journals wanting free, end-to-end publishing workflows
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price $4/unit usage-based Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Web Web
Support Docs Community, Docs
Integrations 4 integrations 11 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features EasyChair 0/5 · Open Journal Systems 5/5
Conference submissions Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Multi-journal management Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Configurable intake forms Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Automated email notices Not checked yet ✓ (best)
ORCID integration Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Our review
Pros
  • Supports double- and triple-blind review, reviewer bidding, and rebuttals
  • Professional adds multi-track programs, generation, and publishing
  • Executive includes proceedings, analytics, and external-service integrations
  • Connects submission, peer review, editorial work, and production in one workflow
  • Runs one or many journals from a single installation
  • Supports indexing, researcher identifiers, and preservation integrations
Cons
  • Professional and Executive charges are per submission, so costs vary with volume
  • The Free plan does not list program, proceedings, or rebuttal modules
  • VIP pricing is not displayed
  • Conference registration and scheduling may require separate tools
  • Self-hosting requires an infrastructure choice and installation
  • Support channels are community and documentation
Our verdict

EasyChair is a web-based conference management system for chairs, program committees, reviewers, authors, and organizers. It brings abstract and paper submission together with reviewer management, peer review, online discussion, rebuttals,…

Read the review →

Open Journal Systems (OJS) is an open-source web platform for scholarly journals, intended for universities, scholarly societies, libraries, and publishing organizations. It covers the path from author submission through peer review and…

Read the review →
  1. EasyChairManuscript Submission Software 9.3Free plan
  2. Open Journal SystemsManuscript Submission Software 8.9Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • EasyChair — where it wins

    • Supports double- and triple-blind review, reviewer bidding, and rebuttals
    • Professional adds multi-track programs, generation, and publishing
    • Executive includes proceedings, analytics, and external-service integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • Professional and Executive charges are per submission, so costs vary with volume
    • The Free plan does not list program, proceedings, or rebuttal modules
    • VIP pricing is not displayed

  • Open Journal Systems — where it wins

    • Connects submission, peer review, editorial work, and production in one workflow
    • Runs one or many journals from a single installation
    • Supports indexing, researcher identifiers, and preservation integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • Conference registration and scheduling may require separate tools
    • Self-hosting requires an infrastructure choice and installation
    • Support channels are community and documentation
  • EasyChair9.3/10 · Free plan

    A web-based conference system spanning submissions, review, scheduling, and proceedings.

    Visit EasyChairFull verdict →
  • Open Journal Systems8.9/10 · Free plan

    A free, open-source system for managing journal submissions through publication.

    Visit siteFull verdict →

More comparisons

All manuscript submission software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update