HotCRP
HotCRP: A deep academic review workflow with flexible hosting and a free plan. Ranked #6 of 24 in Call for Papers Software by our editors (7.6/10); pricing: Free plan · paid from $7.50; best for technical conferences needing open-source review depth.
At a glance
- Editor score7.6 / 10
- PricingFree plan · paid from $7.50
- Best forTechnical conferences needing open-source review depth
- Free planYes
- Blind reviewYes
- Facts checked21 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Multiple review rounds, anonymous review, rebuttals, and discussions
- Conflict controls, track permissions, and flexible reviewer assignment
- Hosted or self-hosted deployment with a REST API
Where it doesn't
- Independent plan support is limited to bug fixes
- Classroom plan provides no support
- Per-submission pricing may be less predictable for large events
Our verdict on HotCRP
HotCRP manages submission, peer-review, and publication workflows for academic conferences, workshops, and journals. It is designed for chairs and program committees that need detailed control over paper registration, submissions, conflicts, reviewer assignments, review forms, decisions, discussions, and final-version collection. The software is open source, with hosted sites available through HotCRP.com and self-hosted deployment supported alongside web and API access.
The Independent plan costs $7.50 per submission and includes a hosted conference, journal, or workshop site, with support limited to bug fixes. A free plan is available, and a Classroom option is intended for teachers at educational institutions, with approval requiring evidence of classroom use and no support. ACM, USENIX, and IEEE options address eligible events associated with those organizations; the ACM option includes publication-services integration. This structure gives organizers several paths, but the paid Independent tier is priced by submission rather than as an annual subscription.
HotCRP’s main strength is review depth. Submission forms can collect abstracts, attachments, and topics while checking PDF format. Chairs can collect conflicts, control tracks and permissions, assign reviewers manually, in bulk, or automatically, and configure multiple review rounds with anonymous review options and review tokens. Rebuttals, comments, decisions, discussion tracking, search, tagging, formulas, and bulk downloads support committee work. ACM publication workflows and proceedings construction extend the process toward final publication, while the REST API supports submissions and reviews. Choose HotCRP when review governance and academic workflow detail matter more than a lightweight intake form. Teams wanting built-in support on the Independent plan or a simpler event workflow may prefer another option.
HotCRP pricing
All 5 HotCRP plans and prices →
HotCRP fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Not verified |
| Blind review | Yes |
| Submission types | Mixed |
| Review stages | Multi_stage |
| Submission limit | Not verified |
| Reviewer limit | Not verified |
| Schedule builder | Yes |
| Deployment | Cloud, Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Web |
| Support | Email, Docs |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 2 integrations: ACM publication services, USENIX |
| Pricing | Free plan · paid from $7.50 (source) |
| Website | hotcrp.com |
| Facts checked | 21 Sep 2026 |
HotCRP integrations
HotCRP lists 2 integrations on its own site.
- ACM publication services
- USENIX
Alternatives to HotCRP
- Microsoft CMTA free, full-featured system for managing academic submissions, reviews, rebuttals, and schedules.9.0
- EasyChairA broad academic conference workflow with a useful free tier and usage-based upgrades.8.5
- AirballoonA broad web-based conference system covering CFPs, review, event operations, and attendee engagement.8.2
HotCRP vs the competition
- HotCRP vs Microsoft CMT
- HotCRP vs EasyChair
- HotCRP vs Airballoon
- HotCRP vs SimplyConf
- HotCRP vs MeetingHand Abstract Management
- HotCRP vs OpenReview
Compare HotCRP with any tool side by side →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026
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