Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience real numbers from our own analytics — open to see them
–Visitors
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · counted by iTechGuides's own first-party analytics, bots removed, every figure rounded down · how we count

Head-to-head · Call for Papers Software

EasyChair vs OpenReview

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score EasyChair #2 in Call for Papers Software 8.5/10 Free plan · paid from $4 Free plan✓ 2 of 2 features Visit EasyChair
OpenReview #7 in Call for Papers Software 7.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 2 features Visit OpenReview

EasyChair 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 scoreEasyChair · 8.5/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresEasyChair · 2 of 2

EasyChair scores higher on our rubric for call for papers software: 8.5 against 7.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #7.

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

EasyChair is the better fit for established academic conferences on a budget. OpenReview is the better fit for open, API-driven peer review.

  • EasyChair fits best

    Established academic conferences on a budget

  • 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 EasyChair 8.5/10 Visit ↗ OpenReview 7.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.5 7.4
Ranking #2 in Call for Papers Software #7 in Call for Papers Software
Best for Established academic conferences on a budget Open, API-driven peer review
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud Cloud
Platforms Web Web
Support Docs Email, Docs
Integrations 4 integrations 1 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features EasyChair 2/2 · OpenReview 1/2
Blind review ✓ ✓
Schedule builder ✓ (best) Not published
Specs
Submission types Mixed Mixed
Review stages Custom Multi_stage
Submission limit 20 submissions Not published
Reviewer limit 200 reviewers Not published
Our review
Pros
  • Free tier covers submissions, reviewing, blind review, hosting, and backups
  • Supports rebuttals, scheduling, proceedings, registration, and Smart CFP
  • Professional and Executive add program, analytics, export, and integration features
  • Supports conferences, workshops, journals, and symposiums
  • Configurable forms, review stages, visibility, and conflict management
  • REST API supports workflow automation, assignments, and permissions
Cons
  • Free is sized for up to 20 submissions and 200 reviewers
  • Paid tiers charge per submission rather than through annual pricing
  • Access is web-based, with advanced needs split across multiple tiers
  • 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

EasyChair is a web-based conference management system for chairs, program committees, reviewers, authors, and organizers. It covers the academic event workflow from call-for-papers publishing and abstract or paper submission 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. EasyChairCall for Papers Software 8.5Free plan · paid from $4
  2. OpenReviewCall for Papers Software 7.4Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • EasyChair — where it wins

    • Free tier covers submissions, reviewing, blind review, hosting, and backups
    • Supports rebuttals, scheduling, proceedings, registration, and Smart CFP
    • Professional and Executive add program, analytics, export, and integration features

    Where it doesn't

    • Free is sized for up to 20 submissions and 200 reviewers
    • Paid tiers charge per submission rather than through annual pricing
    • Access is web-based, with advanced needs split across multiple tiers

  • 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
  • EasyChair8.5/10 · Free plan · paid from $4

    A broad academic conference workflow with a useful free tier and usage-based upgrades.

    Visit EasyChairFull verdict →
  • OpenReview7.4/10 · Free plan

    A free, open-source choice for configurable scholarly peer review and publishing workflows.

    Visit OpenReviewFull verdict →

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