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Head-to-head · Event Scheduling Software

Fourwaves vs Indico

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Fourwaves #2 in Event Scheduling Software 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Fourwaves
Indico #8 in Event Scheduling Software 8.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Indico

Fourwaves leads on 0 checks, Indico 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 scoreFourwaves · 8.8/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresFourwaves · 5 of 5

Fourwaves scores higher on our rubric for event scheduling software: 8.8 against 8.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #8.

Fourwaves is the better fit for research and hybrid conferences. Indico is the better fit for self-hosted institutional events.

  • Fourwaves fits best

    Research and hybrid conferences

  • Indico fits best

    Self-hosted institutional events

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Side by side

Feature Fourwaves 8.8/10 Visit ↗ Indico 8.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.8 8.2
Ranking #2 in Event Scheduling Software #8 in Event Scheduling Software
Best for Research and hybrid conferences Self-hosted institutional events
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price $899/yr Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Self-hosted, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, Android, iOS
Support Email, Live chat, Phone, Docs · 24/7 Email, Community, Docs
Integrations 8 integrations 1 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Fourwaves 5/5 · Indico 0/5
Session tracks ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Room scheduling ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Speaker management ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Attendee mobile app ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Hybrid event support ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Attendee limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Abstract submission, peer review, and conference program scheduling
  • Free Starter plan with unlimited registrations and events
  • Mobile apps, virtual posters, and hybrid-event support
  • Registration, forms, ticketing, badges, and QR codes in one system
  • Abstract submission, paper review, materials, and permanent event archives
  • Room booking, permissions, reminders, and an HTTP API for event operations
Cons
  • Academic focus may be narrower than general event platforms
  • Pro uses custom event and submission volumes
  • Some plans have duplicate annual USD price listings
  • Self-hosted deployment requires an organization to install and operate it
  • Its verified event focus is in-person rather than broader event formats
  • The listed integration coverage is limited to Zoom
Our verdict

Fourwaves is a cloud-based event management platform for academic and scientific conferences. It is designed for universities, research organizations, scientific societies, and other groups managing research events. Its scope covers…

Read the review →

Indico is a web application for organizations that manage structured events, from lectures and meetings to workshops and large conferences. Developed and maintained by CERN, it is aimed particularly at research institutions, universities,…

Read the review →
  1. FourwavesEvent Scheduling Software 8.8Free plan
  2. IndicoEvent Scheduling Software 8.2Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Fourwaves — where it wins

    • Abstract submission, peer review, and conference program scheduling
    • Free Starter plan with unlimited registrations and events
    • Mobile apps, virtual posters, and hybrid-event support

    Where it doesn't

    • Academic focus may be narrower than general event platforms
    • Pro uses custom event and submission volumes
    • Some plans have duplicate annual USD price listings

  • Indico — where it wins

    • Registration, forms, ticketing, badges, and QR codes in one system
    • Abstract submission, paper review, materials, and permanent event archives
    • Room booking, permissions, reminders, and an HTTP API for event operations

    Where it doesn't

    • Self-hosted deployment requires an organization to install and operate it
    • Its verified event focus is in-person rather than broader event formats
    • The listed integration coverage is limited to Zoom

More comparisons

All event scheduling software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update