OpenReview
OpenReview: A free, open-source choice for configurable scholarly peer review and publishing workflows. Ranked #7 of 24 in Call for Papers Software by our editors (7.4/10); pricing: Free plan; best for open, API-driven peer review.
At a glance
- Editor score7.4 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forOpen, API-driven peer review
- Free planYes
- Paid fromNone
- Blind reviewYes
- Facts checked21 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Supports conferences, workshops, journals, and symposiums
- Configurable forms, review stages, visibility, and conflict management
- REST API supports workflow automation, assignments, and permissions
Where it doesn't
- Its focus is scholarly review rather than general event operations
- REST API is the only listed integration
- Web and API access are the listed platform options
Our verdict on OpenReview
OpenReview is a cloud-based platform for conferences, workshops, journals, symposiums, and other reviewing entities. It covers paper and abstract submission, reviewer invitations, paper groups, deadlines, customizable forms, review policies, discussion, decisions, and publication. Organizers can configure venue instances, committee roles, submission visibility, and staged review processes. Its free and open-source model makes it a strong fit for research communities that want control over peer-review workflows without a commercial plan structure.
The main strength is workflow depth. OpenReview supports blind review, mixed submission types, and multi-stage review processes, while allowing organizers to define visibility settings and customize submission and review forms. Reviewer-paper matching and conflict-of-interest management address important committee tasks, and post-review discussion can continue through decisions and publication. This breadth suits venues with distinct policies or multiple review phases better than tools centered only on collecting submissions.
Its REST API extends the platform beyond the web interface, with support for records, groups, documents, invitations, assignments, conflicts, permissions, and workflow automation. That makes OpenReview particularly suitable for technically capable organizing teams that need an open, programmable system. The trade-off is a narrower ecosystem: REST API is the only listed integration, and web and API are the listed platform options. Teams seeking general event scheduling or a simpler submission-only workflow should consider a more focused alternative; teams choosing configurable scholarly review, open-source access, and API control should find OpenReview the closer fit.
OpenReview pricing
OpenReview fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | None |
| Blind review | Yes |
| Submission types | Mixed |
| Review stages | Multi_stage |
| Submission limit | Not verified |
| Reviewer limit | Not verified |
| Schedule builder | Not verified |
| Deployment | Cloud |
| Platforms | Web |
| Support | Email, Docs |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 1 integrations: REST API |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | openreview.net |
| Facts checked | 21 Sep 2026 |
OpenReview integrations
OpenReview lists 1 integrations on its own site.
- REST API
Alternatives to OpenReview
- 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 OpenReview alternatives →
OpenReview vs the competition
- OpenReview vs Microsoft CMT
- OpenReview vs EasyChair
- OpenReview vs Airballoon
- OpenReview vs SimplyConf
- OpenReview vs MeetingHand Abstract Management
- OpenReview vs HotCRP
Compare OpenReview with any tool side by side →
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Featured on iTechGuides
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026
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