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Head-to-head · Manuscript Submission Software

OpenReview vs Open Journal Systems

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score OpenReview #3 in Manuscript Submission Software 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Visit OpenReview
Open Journal Systems #4 in Manuscript Submission Software 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit site

OpenReview leads on 0 checks, Open Journal Systems 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 scoreOpenReview · 9.0/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresOpen Journal Systems · 5 of 5

OpenReview scores higher on our rubric for manuscript submission software: 9.0 against 8.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #4.

OpenReview is the better fit for venues needing configurable, open peer review. Open Journal Systems is the better fit for journals wanting free, end-to-end publishing workflows.

  • OpenReview fits best

    Venues needing configurable, open peer review

  • Open Journal Systems fits best

    Journals wanting free, end-to-end publishing workflows

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 OpenReview 9.0/10 Visit ↗ Open Journal Systems 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.9
Ranking #3 in Manuscript Submission Software #4 in Manuscript Submission Software
Best for Venues needing configurable, open peer review Journals wanting free, end-to-end publishing workflows
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Web Web
Support Email, Docs Community, Docs
Integrations 1 integrations 11 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features OpenReview 0/5 · Open Journal Systems 5/5
Conference submissions Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Multi-journal management Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Configurable intake forms Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Automated email notices Not checked yet ✓ (best)
ORCID integration Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Our review
Pros
  • Configurable review policies, visibility settings, and multi-stage workflows
  • Reviewer-paper matching and conflict-of-interest management
  • REST API supports records, assignments, permissions, and automation
  • 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
Cons
  • No documented schedule-building capability
  • Focuses on review workflows, with less evidence for broader publishing operations
  • Venue setup requires organizers to configure roles, forms, visibility, and deadlines
  • Conference registration and scheduling may require separate tools
  • Self-hosting requires an infrastructure choice and installation
  • Support channels are community and documentation
Our verdict

OpenReview supports paper and abstract submissions, reviewer coordination, discussion, decisions, and publication for conferences, workshops, journals, symposia, and other reviewing entities. It is aimed at organizers who need to shape…

Read the review →

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 →
  1. OpenReviewManuscript Submission Software 9.0Free plan
  2. Open Journal SystemsManuscript Submission Software 8.9Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • OpenReview — where it wins

    • Configurable review policies, visibility settings, and multi-stage workflows
    • Reviewer-paper matching and conflict-of-interest management
    • REST API supports records, assignments, permissions, and automation

    Where it doesn't

    • No documented schedule-building capability
    • Focuses on review workflows, with less evidence for broader publishing operations
    • Venue setup requires organizers to configure roles, forms, visibility, and deadlines

  • 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
  • OpenReview9.0/10 · Free plan

    A free, configurable review workflow for conferences, journals, workshops, and symposia.

    Visit OpenReviewFull verdict →
  • Open Journal Systems8.9/10 · Free plan

    A free, open-source system for managing journal submissions through publication.

    Visit siteFull verdict →

More comparisons

All manuscript submission software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update