HotCRP vs OpenReview

HotCRP7.6Visit OpenReview7.4Visit

Higher score HotCRP #6 in Call for Papers Software 7.6/10 Free plan · paid from $7.50 Free plan✓ 2 of 2 features Visit HotCRP

vs

OpenReview #7 in Call for Papers Software 7.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 2 features Visit OpenReview

• HotCRP fits best

  Technical conferences needing open-source review depth

• OpenReview fits best

  Open, API-driven peer review

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Side by side

Feature	HotCRP 7.6/10 Visit ↗	OpenReview 7.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	7.6	7.4
Ranking	#6 in Call for Papers Software	#7 in Call for Papers Software
Best for	Technical conferences needing open-source review depth	Open, API-driven peer review
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free
Starting price	Not published	Not published
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Self-hosted	Cloud
Platforms	Web	Web
Support	Email, Docs	Email, Docs
Integrations	2 integrations	1 integrations
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features HotCRP 2/2 · OpenReview 1/2
Blind review	✓	✓
Schedule builder	✓ (best)	Not published
Specs
Submission types	Mixed	Mixed
Review stages	Multi_stage	Multi_stage
Submission limit	Not published	Not published
Reviewer limit	Not published	Not published
Our review
Pros	Multiple review rounds, anonymous review, rebuttals, and discussions Conflict controls, track permissions, and flexible reviewer assignment Hosted or self-hosted deployment with a REST API	Supports conferences, workshops, journals, and symposiums Configurable forms, review stages, visibility, and conflict management REST API supports workflow automation, assignments, and permissions
Cons	Independent plan support is limited to bug fixes Classroom plan provides no support Per-submission pricing may be less predictable for large events	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	HotCRP manages submission, peer-review, and publication workflows for academic conferences, workshops, and journals. It is designed for chairs and program committees that need detailed control over paper registration, submissions,… 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 →

Strengths and trade-offs

• HotCRP — where it wins

  • Multiple review rounds, anonymous review, rebuttals, and discussions
  • Conflict controls, track permissions, and flexible reviewer assignment
  • Hosted or self-hosted deployment with a REST API

  Where it doesn't

  • Independent plan support is limited to bug fixes
  • Classroom plan provides no support
  • Per-submission pricing may be less predictable for large events

• 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

• HotCRP7.6/10 · Free plan · paid from $7.50

  A deep academic review workflow with flexible hosting and a free plan.

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

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

  Visit OpenReviewFull verdict →