Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience real numbers from our own analytics — open to see them
–Visitors
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · counted by iTechGuides's own first-party analytics, bots removed, every figure rounded down · how we count

Head-to-head · Call for Papers Software

OpenReview vs ConfTool

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score OpenReview #7 in Call for Papers Software 7.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 2 features Visit OpenReview
ConfTool #10 in Call for Papers Software 6.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 2 features Visit ConfTool

OpenReview leads on 1 check, ConfTool 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 scoreOpenReview · 7.4/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresOpenReview · 1 of 2

OpenReview scores higher on our rubric for call for papers software: 7.4 against 6.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #7 and #10.

OpenReview offers blind review; ConfTool doesn't publish it.

OpenReview is the better fit for open, API-driven peer review. ConfTool is the better fit for hybrid conferences with broad platform coverage.

  • OpenReview fits best

    Open, API-driven peer review

  • ConfTool fits best

    Hybrid conferences with broad platform coverage

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 OpenReview 7.4/10 Visit ↗ ConfTool 6.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 7.4 6.4
Ranking #7 in Call for Papers Software #10 in Call for Papers Software
Best for Open, API-driven peer review Hybrid conferences with broad platform coverage
Pricing model Free Free plan + paid
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud Cloud, Self-hosted, Mobile
Platforms Web Web, iOS, Android
Support Email, Docs Email, Phone, Docs
Integrations 1 integrations 7 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features OpenReview 1/2 · ConfTool 0/2
Blind review ✓ (best) Not published
Schedule builder Not published Not published
Specs
Submission types Mixed Not published
Review stages Multi_stage Not published
Submission limit Not published Not published
Reviewer limit Not published Not published
Our review
Pros
  • Supports conferences, workshops, journals, and symposiums
  • Configurable forms, review stages, visibility, and conflict management
  • REST API supports workflow automation, assignments, and permissions
  • Online submission and peer-review workflows
  • Tracks, rooms, speakers and agendas in one system
  • Hybrid resources and attendee mobile-app integrations
Cons
  • 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
  • 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

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 →

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. OpenReviewCall for Papers Software 7.4Free plan
  2. ConfToolCall for Papers Software 6.4Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • 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
  • 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

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026

Last updated · How we research and update