OpenWater vs Flexi-Grant

OpenWater9.3Visit FGFlexi-Grant8.8Visit

Higher score OpenWater #1 in Application Management Software 9.3/10 Pricing on request ✓ 6 of 6 features Visit OpenWater

vs

FG Flexi-Grant #5 in Application Management Software 8.8/10 Pricing on request · 14-day trial Free trial✓ 6 of 6 features Visit Flexi-Grant

• OpenWater fits best

  Organizations running complex multi-program applications

• Flexi-Grant fits best

  Grant programs needing end-to-end workflows

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Side by side

Feature	OpenWater 9.3/10 Visit ↗	FGFlexi-Grant 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.3	8.8
Ranking	#1 in Application Management Software	#5 in Application Management Software
Best for	Organizations running complex multi-program applications	Grant programs needing end-to-end workflows
Pricing model	Paid	Paid
Starting price	Pricing on request	—
Free plan	Not checked yet	—
Free trial	—	14 days
Deployment	Cloud	Cloud
Platforms	Web	Web
Support	Email, Live chat, Docs, Tickets	Email, Phone, Community
Compliance	SSO/SAML	ISO 27001, GDPR, SSO/SAML
Integrations	65+ integrations	4 integrations
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features OpenWater 6/6 · Flexi-Grant 6/6
Scoring and rubrics	✓	✓
Reviewer collaboration	✓	✓
Applicant portal	✓	✓
Workflow automation	✓	✓
Reporting and analytics	✓	✓
Payment collection	✓	✓
Specs
Supported programs	Not checked yet	Grants
Our review
Pros	Supports grants, scholarships, awards, fellowships, and abstract management Combines multi-round reviews, scoring, workflows, reporting, and fund tracking Offers REST API access plus CRM, AMS, payment, and directory integrations	Covers applications, eligibility, reviews, approvals, payments and monitoring Applicant and reviewer portals support structured collaboration Role-based access, audit trails and finance, CRM, SSO and ORCID integrations
Cons	Pricing requires contacting sales Broad configuration may be more than a single-program team needs AI features are available without further detail on their specific functions	Paid plans require a tailored sales quote Implementation is quoted separately Cancellation fees may apply
Our verdict	OpenWater is a web-based application and review management platform for associations, foundations, higher education institutions, and other organizations managing structured programs. It brings application forms, applicant portals,… Read the review →	Flexi-Grant is cloud-based application management software for organisations that award funding. It is designed for charities, research funders, councils, government departments, community foundations and philanthropic organisations. The… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• OpenWater — where it wins

  • Supports grants, scholarships, awards, fellowships, and abstract management
  • Combines multi-round reviews, scoring, workflows, reporting, and fund tracking
  • Offers REST API access plus CRM, AMS, payment, and directory integrations

  Where it doesn't

  • Pricing requires contacting sales
  • Broad configuration may be more than a single-program team needs
  • AI features are available without further detail on their specific functions

• Flexi-Grant — where it wins

  • Covers applications, eligibility, reviews, approvals, payments and monitoring
  • Applicant and reviewer portals support structured collaboration
  • Role-based access, audit trails and finance, CRM, SSO and ORCID integrations

  Where it doesn't

  • Paid plans require a tailored sales quote
  • Implementation is quoted separately
  • Cancellation fees may apply

• OpenWater9.3/10 · Pricing on request

  A broad platform for managing complex applications, reviews, workflows, funding, and reporting.

  Visit OpenWaterFull verdict →
• FGFlexi-Grant8.8/10 · Pricing on request · 14-day trial

  End-to-end grant workflows with portals, reviews, payments, monitoring and audit trails.

  Visit Flexi-GrantFull verdict →