Best OpenWater Alternatives in 2026
The top OpenWater alternatives are Submittable, Reviewr and CommunityForce: 15 application management software our editors would look at instead of OpenWater, in our ranking order.
OpenWater: A broad platform for managing complex applications, reviews, workflows, funding, and reporting. Where it falls short: pricing requires contacting sales.
Switching from OpenWater? For most application management software buyers the best OpenWater alternative is Submittable, built for organizations managing varied submission programs.
Why People Look for an OpenWater Alternative
- Pricing requires contacting sales
- Broad configuration may be more than a single-program team needs
- AI features are available without further detail on their specific functions
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallSubmittable9.2
Organizations managing varied submission programs
Visit Submittable
All 15 OpenWater Alternatives, Ranked
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
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Best forOrganizations managing varied submission programs
A broad platform for managing applications, reviews, payments, and program funds.
- Payment collection
- Reviewer collaboration
- Applicant portal
9.2/10★★★★★Visit Submittable -
Best forGrantmakers needing rigorous review controls
A strong fit for grantmakers that need controlled reviews, scoring and post-award tracking.
- Payment collection
- Reviewer collaboration
- Applicant portal
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Reviewr -
Best forGrant and scholarship administrators
A broad awards platform for organizations managing applications through renewals and reporting.
- Payment collection
- Reviewer collaboration
- Applicant portal
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit CommunityForce -
Best forGrant programs needing end-to-end workflows
End-to-end grant workflows with portals, reviews, payments, monitoring and audit trails.
- Payment collection
- Reviewer collaboration
- Applicant portal
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Flexi-Grant -
Best forBudget-conscious grant programs
A broad grant-management platform with a published Starter price of $2,500 per year.
- Payment collection
- Reviewer collaboration
- Applicant portal
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit RQ Platform -
Best forGrant teams wanting transparent pricing
A capable grant platform with transparent annual pricing and broad workflow coverage.
- Reviewer collaboration
- Applicant portal
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Good Grants -
Best forFoundations tracking grants through outcomes
A full grant lifecycle system for foundations tracking applications through outcomes.
- Reviewer collaboration
- Applicant portal
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Foundant -
Best forEnterprise grant operations
A broad grant-management platform for complex, multi-stage enterprise programs.
- Payment collection
- Reviewer collaboration
- Applicant portal
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit SmartSimple -
Best forLarge submission programs needing automation
A structured platform for automating complex application and review programs.
- Payment collection
- Reviewer collaboration
- Applicant portal
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Submit.com -
Best forGrant teams needing low published entry pricing
A broad grant management platform with low published entry pricing and limited integrations.
- Payment collection
- Reviewer collaboration
- Applicant portal
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Optimy -
Best forGrantmakers needing CRM-style relationships
A grantmaking system spanning applications, reviews, workflows, payments, and relationships.
- Payment collection
- Reviewer collaboration
- Applicant portal
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit GivingData -
Best forScholarship programs with reusable applications
A focused scholarship platform with reusable applications, structured review, and outcome reporting.
- Reviewer collaboration
- Applicant portal
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Foundant -
Best forEstablished grantmaking organizations
A full grant lifecycle platform for established funding organizations.
- Reviewer collaboration
- Applicant portal
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Blackbaud -
Best forScholarship programs with disbursement needs
A full scholarship workflow from application intake through disbursement and outcomes tracking.
- Payment collection
- Reviewer collaboration
- Applicant portal
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Kaleidoscope -
Best forScholarship offices using student systems
A focused platform for managing scholarship applications, reviews, awards, and compliance.
- Reviewer collaboration
- Applicant portal
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit AwardSpring
OpenWater Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to OpenWater?
Submittable: #2 in our Application Management Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.2 out of 10. A broad platform for managing applications, reviews, payments, and program funds.
Why do people look for OpenWater alternatives?
Pricing requires contacting sales; Broad configuration may be more than a single-program team needs; AI features are available without further detail on their specific functions.
How do I switch from OpenWater?
Export your data from OpenWater (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel OpenWater.
How to Switch from OpenWater
- Export your data from OpenWater (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel OpenWater.
OpenWater vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Scoring and rubrics | Reviewer collaboration | Applicant portal | Workflow automation | Reporting and analytics | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | OpenWater | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.3 | ||
| 1 | Submittable | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.2 | |
| 2 | Reviewr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.0 | ||
| 3 | CommunityForce | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.9 | ||
| 4 | Flexi-Grant | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.8 | |
| 5 | RQ Platform | No | $2,500/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.7 |
| 6 | Good Grants | No | $3,950/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.6 |
| 7 | Foundant Grant Lifecycle Manager | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.5 | ||
| 8 | SmartSimple Cloud for Grants Management | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.4 | |
| 9 | Submit.com | No | €5,995/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.3 |
| 10 | Optimy | No | €1,000/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.2 |
| 11 | GivingData | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.1 | |
| 12 | Foundant Scholarship Lifecycle Manager | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.0 | ||
| 13 | Blackbaud Grantmaking | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.9 | ||
| 14 | Kaleidoscope | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.8 | ||
| 15 | AwardSpring | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.7 |
Head-to-Head
- OpenWater vs Submittable
- OpenWater vs Reviewr
- OpenWater vs CommunityForce
- OpenWater vs Flexi-Grant
- OpenWater vs RQ Platform
- OpenWater vs Good Grants
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update