Head-to-head · Manuscript Submission Software
Open Journal Systems vs ConfTool
Open Journal Systems leads on 0 checks, ConfTool 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 scoreOpen Journal Systems · 8.9/10
- Free planboth
- Most featuresOpen Journal Systems · 5 of 5
Open Journal Systems scores higher on our rubric for manuscript submission software: 8.9 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #7.
Open Journal Systems is the better fit for journals wanting free, end-to-end publishing workflows. ConfTool is the better fit for conferences needing deployment and event management.
- Open Journal Systems fits best
Journals wanting free, end-to-end publishing workflows
- ConfTool fits best
Conferences needing deployment and event management
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Side by side
| Feature | Open Journal Systems 8.9/10 Visit ↗ | ConfTool 8.6/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 8.9 | 8.6 |
| Ranking | #4 in Manuscript Submission Software | #7 in Manuscript Submission Software |
| Best for | Journals wanting free, end-to-end publishing workflows | Conferences needing deployment and event management |
| Pricing model | Free | Free plan + paid |
| Starting price | Free plan | — |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Cloud, Self-hosted | Cloud, Self-hosted, Mobile |
| Platforms | Web | Web, iOS, Android |
| Support | Community, Docs | Email, Phone, Docs |
| Integrations | 11 integrations | 7 integrations |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features Open Journal Systems 5/5 · ConfTool 0/5 | ||
| Conference submissions | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Multi-journal management | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Configurable intake forms | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Automated email notices | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| ORCID integration | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | Open Journal Systems (OJS) is an open-source web platform for scholarly journals, intended for universities, scholarly societies, libraries, and publishing organizations. It covers the path from author submission through peer review and… Read the review → |
Academic conferences, workshops, congresses and seminars can use ConfTool to manage submissions, peer review and event operations in one system. It links the review process to program planning, participant registration and communication,… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Open Journal Systems — where it wins
- Connects submission, peer review, editorial work, and production in one workflow
- Runs one or many journals from a single installation
- Supports indexing, researcher identifiers, and preservation integrations
Where it doesn't
- Conference registration and scheduling may require separate tools
- Self-hosting requires an infrastructure choice and installation
- Support channels are community and documentation
ConfTool — where it wins
- Combines online submissions and peer review with multi-track scheduling
- Supports room, session, presenter and attendee agenda management
- Offers hosted and self-hosted options with mobile-app integrations
Where it doesn't
- ConfTool Standard's free license is limited to eligible events
- Pro pricing varies by event requirements and size
- Event management scope may exceed a submission-only workflow
- Open Journal Systems8.9/10 · Free plan
A free, open-source system for managing journal submissions through publication.
Visit siteFull verdict → - ConfTool8.6/10 · Free plan
Submission and peer review connect with scheduling, registration and event tools.
Visit ConfToolFull verdict →
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All manuscript submission software comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update