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Head-to-head · Call for Papers Software

Microsoft CMT vs OpenReview

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score Microsoft CMT #1 in Call for Papers Software 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 2 features Visit Microsoft CMT
OpenReview #7 in Call for Papers Software 7.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 2 features Visit OpenReview

Microsoft CMT 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 scoreMicrosoft CMT · 9.0/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresMicrosoft CMT · 2 of 2

Microsoft CMT scores higher on our rubric for call for papers software: 9.0 against 7.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #7.

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

Microsoft CMT is the better fit for free, full-featured academic conferences. OpenReview is the better fit for open, API-driven peer review.

  • Microsoft CMT fits best

    Free, full-featured academic conferences

  • 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 Microsoft CMT 9.0/10 Visit ↗ OpenReview 7.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 7.4
Ranking #1 in Call for Papers Software #7 in Call for Papers Software
Best for Free, full-featured academic conferences Open, API-driven peer review
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud Cloud
Platforms Web Web
Support Tickets, Docs Email, Docs
Integrations 1 integrations 1 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Microsoft CMT 2/2 · OpenReview 1/2
Blind review ✓ ✓
Schedule builder ✓ (best) Not published
Specs
Submission types Mixed Mixed
Review stages Custom Multi_stage
Submission limit Not published Not published
Reviewer limit Not published Not published
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
  • Supports conferences, workshops, journals, and symposiums
  • Configurable forms, review stages, visibility, and conflict management
  • REST API supports workflow automation, assignments, and permissions
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
  • 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

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 →

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. Microsoft CMTCall for Papers Software 9.0Free plan
  2. OpenReviewCall for Papers Software 7.4Free 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

  • 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

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