OpenWater vs RQ Platform

OpenWater9.3Visit RQ Platform8.7Visit

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

vs

RQ Platform #6 in Application Management Software 8.7/10 Paid ✓ 6 of 6 features Visit RQ Platform

• OpenWater fits best

  Organizations running complex multi-program applications

• RQ Platform fits best

  Budget-conscious grant programs

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Side by side

Feature	OpenWater 9.3/10 Visit ↗	RQ Platform 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.3	8.7
Ranking	#1 in Application Management Software	#6 in Application Management Software
Best for	Organizations running complex multi-program applications	Budget-conscious grant programs
Pricing model	Paid	Paid
Starting price	Pricing on request	$2,500/yr
Free plan	Not checked yet	—
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud	Cloud
Platforms	Web	Web
Support	Email, Live chat, Docs, Tickets	Email, Phone, Tickets
Compliance	SSO/SAML	SOC 2, GDPR, PCI DSS
Integrations	65+ integrations	6 integrations
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features OpenWater 6/6 · RQ Platform 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	Starter includes forms, references, review phases, rubrics, and unlimited reviewers. Automates deadlines, reminders, notifications, approvals, and multi-stage workflows. Includes reporting, payments, audit logs, APIs, MFA, and permissions.
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	No free plan is available. Professional pricing requires contacting sales. Advanced capabilities depend on the selected plan and program setup.
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 →	RQ Platform is a configurable application and review management platform from RhythmQ, Inc. It is designed for associations, foundations, nonprofits, corporations, higher-education institutions, and government organizations managing… 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

• RQ Platform — where it wins

  • Starter includes forms, references, review phases, rubrics, and unlimited reviewers.
  • Automates deadlines, reminders, notifications, approvals, and multi-stage workflows.
  • Includes reporting, payments, audit logs, APIs, MFA, and permissions.

  Where it doesn't

  • No free plan is available.
  • Professional pricing requires contacting sales.
  • Advanced capabilities depend on the selected plan and program setup.

• OpenWater9.3/10 · Pricing on request

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

  Visit OpenWaterFull verdict →
• RQ Platform8.7/10 · Paid

  A broad grant-management platform with a published Starter price of $2,500 per year.

  Visit RQ PlatformFull verdict →