OpenWater vs Submittable

OpenWater9.3Visit Submittable9.2Visit

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

vs

Submittable #2 in Application Management Software 9.2/10 Pricing on request ✓ 6 of 6 features Visit Submittable

• OpenWater fits best

  Organizations running complex multi-program applications

• Submittable fits best

  Organizations managing varied submission programs

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Side by side

Feature	OpenWater 9.3/10 Visit ↗	Submittable 9.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.3	9.2
Ranking	#1 in Application Management Software	#2 in Application Management Software
Best for	Organizations running complex multi-program applications	Organizations managing varied submission programs
Pricing model	Paid	Paid
Starting price	Pricing on request	—
Free plan	Not checked yet	—
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud	Cloud
Platforms	Web	Web
Support	Email, Live chat, Docs, Tickets	Email, Docs
Compliance	SSO/SAML	SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, SSO/SAML
Integrations	65+ integrations	5 integrations
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features OpenWater 6/6 · Submittable 6/6
Scoring and rubrics	✓	✓
Reviewer collaboration	✓	✓
Applicant portal	✓	✓
Workflow automation	✓	✓
Reporting and analytics	✓	✓
Payment collection	✓	✓
Specs
Supported programs	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
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	Supports grants, scholarships, awards, and fellowships Combines multi-stage reviews, automation, payments, and reporting Offers branded portals, permissions, API access, and custom 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	Public pricing is not provided; plans use a contact-sales model Enterprise capabilities such as custom integrations require the Enterprise plan PCI payment processing is handled by Stripe rather than Submittable
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 →	Submittable is a cloud-based application management platform for organizations collecting, reviewing, managing, and reporting on submissions. It is designed for governments, foundations, nonprofits, universities, corporations, and other… 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

• Submittable — where it wins

  • Supports grants, scholarships, awards, and fellowships
  • Combines multi-stage reviews, automation, payments, and reporting
  • Offers branded portals, permissions, API access, and custom integrations

  Where it doesn't

  • Public pricing is not provided; plans use a contact-sales model
  • Enterprise capabilities such as custom integrations require the Enterprise plan
  • PCI payment processing is handled by Stripe rather than Submittable

• OpenWater9.3/10 · Pricing on request

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

  Visit OpenWaterFull verdict →
• Submittable9.2/10 · Pricing on request

  A broad platform for managing applications, reviews, payments, and program funds.

  Visit SubmittableFull verdict →