OpenConf
OpenConf: A broad conference workflow with a free self-hosted edition and paid expansion tiers. Ranked #14 of 24 in Call for Papers Software by our editors (6.1/10); pricing: Free plan · paid from $400; best for self-hosted conferences needing classic workflows.
At a glance
- Editor score6.1 / 10
- PricingFree plan · paid from $400
- Best forSelf-hosted conferences needing classic workflows
- Free planYes
- Facts checked21 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Covers submissions, reviews, decisions, proceedings, and scheduling
- Offers free Community Edition for self-hosted deployments
- Supports IEEE, ACM, ORCID, OIDC, and SAML workflows
Where it doesn't
- Paid editions start at $400 as a one-time annual license
- Recurring usage and multiple installations require separate licenses
- Single sign-on is available only as a Professional add-on
Our verdict on OpenConf
OpenConf manages submissions and review workflows for conferences, workshops, symposia, journals, grants, and competitions. Its core process includes online submission forms, file uploads, manual or automatic reviewer assignment, reviewer bidding, customizable review forms, scoring, acceptance and rejection decisions, and email notifications. It also supports online proceedings, schedules, and web program creation. Organizations can install it on their own server or choose the vendor-managed hosting service, making it suitable for teams that want a traditional call-for-papers workflow with control over deployment.
Pricing is structured around a free Community Edition and three paid options. Community Edition is self-hosted, uses version 7, and covers submission, review, acceptance, and notification basics under stated license restrictions. Plus Edition costs $400 as a one-time annual license and adds technical support, reviewer bidding, online proceedings, and author rebuttals. Professional Edition costs $900 as a one-time annual license and adds priority technical support, customizable forms, and program creation; single sign-on is an add-on. OpenConf Hosting Service costs $600 per year, includes Professional Edition, and adds vendor-managed hosting, hourly on- and off-site backups, and technical support.
OpenConf’s main strength is breadth across the conference lifecycle, from submission intake through review decisions and program publishing. Its ecosystem connections include IEEE eCopyright, ACM Copyright Export, ORCID Reviewer Credit, OIDC, and SAML. The product is a good fit for organizations needing self-hosted software or a managed deployment with classic submission and peer-review functions. Choose it when proceedings, scheduling, reviewer assignment, and conference administration belong in one workflow. Teams needing recurring use across multiple installations should account for separate licenses, while organizations requiring single sign-on should budget for the Professional add-on.
OpenConf pricing
All 4 OpenConf plans and prices →
OpenConf fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Not verified |
| Blind review | Not verified |
| Submission types | Mixed |
| Review stages | Not verified |
| Submission limit | Not verified |
| Reviewer limit | Not verified |
| Schedule builder | Yes |
| Deployment | Cloud, Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Web |
| Support | Docs |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 5 integrations: IEEE eCopyright, ACM Copyright Export, ORCID Reviewer Credit, OIDC, SAML |
| Pricing | Free plan · paid from $400 (source) |
| Website | openconf.com |
| Facts checked | 21 Sep 2026 |
OpenConf integrations
OpenConf lists 5 integrations on its own site.
- IEEE eCopyright
- ACM Copyright Export
- ORCID Reviewer Credit
- OIDC
- SAML
Alternatives to OpenConf
- 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
See all OpenConf alternatives →
Also listed in
- Event Management Software
- Speaker Management Software
- Event Abstract Management Software
- Conference Software
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The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used OpenConf for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026
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