SimplyConf vs Indico

SimplyConf7.1Visit Indico6.8Visit

Higher score SimplyConf #6 in Event Abstract Management Software 7.1/10 Free plan · paid from $29/yr Free plan✓ 1 of 5 features Visit SimplyConf

vs

Indico #7 in Event Abstract Management Software 6.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Indico

• SimplyConf fits best

  Budget-conscious teams wanting self-hosting

• Indico fits best

  Organizations wanting open-source event infrastructure

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Side by side

Feature	SimplyConf 7.1/10 Visit ↗	Indico 6.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	7.1	6.8
Ranking	#6 in Event Abstract Management Software	#7 in Event Abstract Management Software
Best for	Budget-conscious teams wanting self-hosting	Organizations wanting open-source event infrastructure
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free
Starting price	$29/yr	Not published
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Self-hosted	Self-hosted, Mobile
Platforms	Web	Web, Android, iOS
Support	Email, Docs	Email, Community, Docs
Integrations	2 integrations	1 integrations
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features SimplyConf 1/5 · Indico 0/5
Scoring tools	Not published	Not published
Blind review	✓ (best)	Not published
Author revisions	Not published	Not published
Poster handling	Not published	Not published
Publishing tools	Not published	Not published
Specs
Submission types	Not published	Not published
Review workflow	Not published	Not published
Our review
Pros	Free core covers submissions, users, events, and access roles Supports single- and double-blind review with reviewer tracking Self-hosted add-ons cover payments, scheduling, emails, and exports	Abstract and paper submission with configurable review workflows Covers registration, paid tickets, QR check-in, and room booking Web, mobile, API, Zoom, and self-hosted deployment options
Cons	Full workflows require separate paid add-ons or bundles WordPress is central to its platform and ecosystem fit Stripe is the listed payment integration	Its integration list is centered on Zoom Self-hosted installation requires organizational deployment ownership Its broad feature set may exceed simple event needs
Our verdict	SimplyConf is a WordPress-based conference management product for academic events, universities, program committees, and organizations running one or multiple conferences. Its free core includes events, abstract submissions, users,… Read the review →	Indico is open-source event management software for lectures, meetings, workshops, and conferences. It supports in-person, hybrid, and virtual formats, with workflows spanning abstract and paper submission, attendee registration, paid… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• SimplyConf — where it wins

  • Free core covers submissions, users, events, and access roles
  • Supports single- and double-blind review with reviewer tracking
  • Self-hosted add-ons cover payments, scheduling, emails, and exports

  Where it doesn't

  • Full workflows require separate paid add-ons or bundles
  • WordPress is central to its platform and ecosystem fit
  • Stripe is the listed payment integration

• Indico — where it wins

  • Abstract and paper submission with configurable review workflows
  • Covers registration, paid tickets, QR check-in, and room booking
  • Web, mobile, API, Zoom, and self-hosted deployment options

  Where it doesn't

  • Its integration list is centered on Zoom
  • Self-hosted installation requires organizational deployment ownership
  • Its broad feature set may exceed simple event needs

• SimplyConf7.1/10 · Free plan · paid from $29/yr

  A low-cost WordPress option for submissions, review workflows, scheduling, and payments.

  Visit SimplyConfFull verdict →
• Indico6.8/10 · Free plan

  A free, open-source event platform covering abstracts, registration, ticketing, and check-in.

  Visit IndicoFull verdict →