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Head-to-head · Call for Papers Software

Microsoft CMT vs ConfTool

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score Microsoft CMT #1 in Call for Papers Software 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 2 features Visit Microsoft CMT
ConfTool #8 in Call for Papers Software 8.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 2 features Visit ConfTool

Microsoft CMT leads on 0 checks, ConfTool on 0, and 3 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 scoreMicrosoft CMT · 9.4/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresMicrosoft CMT · 2 of 2

Microsoft CMT scores higher on our rubric for call for papers software: 9.4 against 8.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #8.

Microsoft CMT is the better fit for free, full-featured academic conferences. ConfTool is the better fit for hybrid conferences with broad platform coverage.

  • Microsoft CMT fits best

    Free, full-featured academic conferences

  • ConfTool fits best

    Hybrid conferences with broad platform coverage

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 Microsoft CMT 9.4/10 Visit ↗ ConfTool 8.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 8.3
Ranking #1 in Call for Papers Software #8 in Call for Papers Software
Best for Free, full-featured academic conferences Hybrid conferences with broad platform coverage
Pricing model Free Free plan + paid
Starting price Free plan —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud Cloud, Self-hosted, Mobile
Platforms Web Web, iOS, Android
Support Tickets, Docs Email, Phone, Docs
Integrations 1 integrations 7 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Microsoft CMT 2/2 · ConfTool 0/2
Blind review ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Schedule builder ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Submission types Mixed Not checked yet
Review stages Custom Not checked yet
Submission limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Reviewer limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Supports submissions, revisions, camera-ready papers, and presentations
  • Deep review controls include blind review, conflicts, quotas, and bidding
  • Covers multi-track planning, copyright collection, and session scheduling
  • Online submission and peer-review workflows
  • Tracks, rooms, speakers and agendas in one system
  • Hybrid resources and attendee mobile-app integrations
Cons
  • Web-based delivery limits the platform choice to browser access
  • Reviewer capacity is configured by conference chairs, not fixed product-wide
  • Its focus on academic peer review may not suit general event management
  • ConfTool Standard supports up to 150 participants
  • Standard is intended for smaller non-commercial events
  • Pro pricing depends on event requirements and size
Our verdict

Microsoft CMT is a free, cloud-hosted conference management system for academic and scientific peer review. It is designed for conference chairs, reviewers, authors, and proceedings editors managing submissions from abstracts through full…

Read the review →

ConfTool is a web-based event management system for academic conferences, workshops, congresses and seminars. It combines online submission and peer review with program scheduling, room assignments, participant registration, invoicing and…

Read the review →
  1. Microsoft CMTCall for Papers Software 9.4Free plan
  2. ConfToolCall for Papers Software 8.3Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Microsoft CMT — where it wins

    • Supports submissions, revisions, camera-ready papers, and presentations
    • Deep review controls include blind review, conflicts, quotas, and bidding
    • Covers multi-track planning, copyright collection, and session scheduling

    Where it doesn't

    • Web-based delivery limits the platform choice to browser access
    • Reviewer capacity is configured by conference chairs, not fixed product-wide
    • Its focus on academic peer review may not suit general event management

  • ConfTool — where it wins

    • Online submission and peer-review workflows
    • Tracks, rooms, speakers and agendas in one system
    • Hybrid resources and attendee mobile-app integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • ConfTool Standard supports up to 150 participants
    • Standard is intended for smaller non-commercial events
    • Pro pricing depends on event requirements and size

More comparisons

All call for papers software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update