Best OpenConf Alternatives in 2026
The top OpenConf alternatives are Microsoft CMT, EasyChair and Airballoon: 15 call for papers software our editors would look at instead of OpenConf, in our ranking order.
OpenConf: A broad conference workflow with a free self-hosted edition and paid expansion tiers. Where it falls short: paid editions start at $400 as a one-time annual license.
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Best forFree, full-featured academic conferences
A free, full-featured system for managing academic submissions, reviews, rebuttals, and schedules.
- Blind review
- Schedule builder
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Microsoft CMT -
Best forEstablished academic conferences on a budget
A broad academic conference workflow with a useful free tier and usage-based upgrades.
- Blind review
- Schedule builder
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit EasyChair -
Best forEnd-to-end conferences with attendee operations
A broad web-based conference system covering CFPs, review, event operations, and attendee engagement.
- Blind review
- Schedule builder
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Airballoon -
Best forSelf-hosted conferences needing modular pricing
A flexible WordPress-based choice for conferences that need self-hosting and add-on control.
- Blind review
- Schedule builder
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit SimplyConf -
Best forSmall events needing low-cost abstract management
A low-cost web tool covering submissions, review, scheduling, and abstract-book exports.
- Blind review
- Schedule builder
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit MeetingHand -
Best forTechnical conferences needing open-source review depth
A deep academic review workflow with flexible hosting and a free plan.
- Blind review
- Schedule builder
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit HotCRP -
Best forOpen, API-driven peer review
A free, open-source choice for configurable scholarly peer review and publishing workflows.
- Blind review
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit OpenReview -
Best forLarge abstract-led conferences
A flexible abstract and conference workflow with free access and paid event tiers.
- Blind review
- Schedule builder
7.3/10★★★★☆Try Oxford Abstracts -
Best forSmall events focused on abstract workflows
A focused call-for-papers platform with free entry and complete core review workflows.
- Blind review
6.6/10★★★☆☆Visit AbstractWiz -
Best forHybrid conferences with broad platform coverage
A broad conference platform covering review, scheduling, registration and hybrid events.
6.4/10★★★☆☆Visit ConfTool -
Best forOpen-source proposal programs with small limits
A capable open-source program workflow with a three-submission free limit.
- Blind review
- Schedule builder
6.3/10★★★☆☆Visit Fireside -
Best forIEEE-oriented conferences with paid processing
A broad conference workflow for organizers managing submissions, reviews, registration, and programs.
- Blind review
- Schedule builder
6.3/10★★★☆☆Visit EDAS -
Best forMultilingual paper-focused conferences
A focused, multilingual workflow for managing academic paper conferences.
- Blind review
- Schedule builder
6.1/10★★★☆☆Visit Lynk -
Best forSpeaker-led events needing strong scheduling
A strong fit for speaker-led events that need CFPs, evaluation, and multi-track scheduling.
6.0/10★★★☆☆Visit Sessionize -
Best forFull-service conferences with large budgets
A full-service conference platform for submissions, programs, registration, and hybrid events.
6.0/10★★★☆☆Visit Fourwaves
OpenConf Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to OpenConf?
Microsoft CMT: #1 in our Call for Papers Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.0 out of 10. A free, full-featured system for managing academic submissions, reviews, rebuttals, and schedules.
Is there a free alternative to OpenConf?
Yes. Microsoft CMT, EasyChair, Airballoon, SimplyConf and MeetingHand Abstract Management have a free plan or a free tier (14 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
What is the cheapest paid alternative to OpenConf?
Of the alternatives here that publish a price, SimplyConf starts lowest, at $29/yr.
OpenConf vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Blind review | Submission types | Review stages | Submission limit | Schedule builder | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | OpenConf | Yes | — | — | Mixed | — | — | Yes | 6.1 |
| 1 | Microsoft CMT | Yes | None | Yes | Mixed | Custom | — | Yes | 9.0 |
| 2 | EasyChair | Yes | — | Yes | Mixed | Custom | 20 submissions | Yes | 8.5 |
| 3 | Airballoon | Yes | — | Yes | Mixed | Custom | — | Yes | 8.2 |
| 4 | SimplyConf | Yes | $29/yr | Yes | Mixed | Custom | — | Yes | 7.9 |
| 5 | MeetingHand Abstract Management | Yes | — | Yes | Mixed | Custom | 25 submissions | Yes | 7.7 |
| 6 | HotCRP | Yes | — | Yes | Mixed | Multi_stage | — | Yes | 7.6 |
| 7 | OpenReview | Yes | None | Yes | Mixed | Multi_stage | — | — | 7.4 |
| 8 | Oxford Abstracts | Yes | — | Yes | Abstracts | Multi_stage | — | Yes | 7.3 |
| 9 | AbstractWiz | Yes | — | Yes | Mixed | Multi_stage | 20 submissions | — | 6.6 |
| 10 | ConfTool | Yes | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6.4 |
| 11 | Fireside | Yes | None | Yes | Mixed | Multi_stage | 3 submissions | Yes | 6.3 |
| 12 | EDAS | No | — | Yes | Mixed | Custom | — | Yes | 6.3 |
| 13 | Lynk | Yes | — | Yes | Papers | — | — | Yes | 6.1 |
| 15 | Sessionize | Yes | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6.0 |
| 16 | Fourwaves | Yes | $999/yr | — | — | — | — | — | 6.0 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026
Last updated · How we research and update