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Head-to-head · Event Abstract Management Software

Microsoft CMT vs Indico

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score Microsoft CMT #3 in Event Abstract Management Software 7.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 5 features Visit Microsoft CMT
Indico #7 in Event Abstract Management Software 6.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Indico

Microsoft CMT leads on 1 check, Indico on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 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 · 7.7/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresMicrosoft CMT · 1 of 5

Microsoft CMT scores higher on our rubric for event abstract management software: 7.7 against 6.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #7.

Microsoft CMT offers blind review; Indico doesn't publish it.

Microsoft CMT is the better fit for academic conferences wanting a free platform. Indico is the better fit for organizations wanting open-source event infrastructure.

  • Microsoft CMT fits best

    Academic conferences wanting a free platform

  • Indico fits best

    Organizations wanting open-source event infrastructure

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Microsoft CMT 7.7/10 Visit ↗ Indico 6.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 7.7 6.8
Ranking #3 in Event Abstract Management Software #7 in Event Abstract Management Software
Best for Academic conferences wanting a free platform Organizations wanting open-source event infrastructure
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud Self-hosted, Mobile
Platforms Web Web, Android, iOS
Support Tickets, Docs Email, Community, Docs
Integrations 1 integrations 1 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Microsoft CMT 1/5 · Indico 0/5
Scoring tools Not published Not published
Blind review ✓ (best) Not published
Author revisions Not published Not published
Poster handling Not published Not published
Publishing tools Not published Not published
Specs
Submission types Not published Not published
Review workflow Not published Not published
Our review
Pros
  • Supports multi-track conferences and mixed submission types
  • Includes blind review, bidding, rebuttals, and meta-review workflows
  • Plans sessions, rooms, schedules, and camera-ready collection
  • Abstract and paper submission with configurable review workflows
  • Covers registration, paid tickets, QR check-in, and room booking
  • Web, mobile, API, Zoom, and self-hosted deployment options
Cons
  • Available through a web interface only
  • Focused on academic and scientific conference workflows
  • Reviewer capacity is configured per conference rather than product-wide
  • Its integration list is centered on Zoom
  • Self-hosted installation requires organizational deployment ownership
  • Its broad feature set may exceed simple event needs
Our verdict

Microsoft CMT is a free, web-based conference management system for academic and scientific peer review. It is designed for conference chairs, reviewers, authors, and proceedings editors, with workflows covering abstracts, full papers,…

Read the review →

Indico is open-source event management software for lectures, meetings, workshops, and conferences. It supports in-person, hybrid, and virtual formats, with workflows spanning abstract and paper submission, attendee registration, paid…

Read the review →
  1. Microsoft CMTEvent Abstract Management Software 7.7Free plan
  2. IndicoEvent Abstract Management Software 6.8Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Microsoft CMT — where it wins

    • Supports multi-track conferences and mixed submission types
    • Includes blind review, bidding, rebuttals, and meta-review workflows
    • Plans sessions, rooms, schedules, and camera-ready collection

    Where it doesn't

    • Available through a web interface only
    • Focused on academic and scientific conference workflows
    • Reviewer capacity is configured per conference rather than product-wide

  • Indico — where it wins

    • Abstract and paper submission with configurable review workflows
    • Covers registration, paid tickets, QR check-in, and room booking
    • Web, mobile, API, Zoom, and self-hosted deployment options

    Where it doesn't

    • Its integration list is centered on Zoom
    • Self-hosted installation requires organizational deployment ownership
    • Its broad feature set may exceed simple event needs
  • Microsoft CMT7.7/10 · Free plan

    A free academic conference system with unusually deep submission, review, and scheduling workflows.

    Visit Microsoft CMTFull verdict →
  • Indico6.8/10 · Free plan

    A free, open-source event platform covering abstracts, registration, ticketing, and check-in.

    Visit IndicoFull verdict →

More comparisons

All event abstract management software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026

Last updated · How we research and update