ProgramChair
ProgramChair: A full conference workflow for research events, from submissions through published programs. Ranked #24 of 34 in Event Scheduling Software by our editors (6.5/10); pricing: Pricing on request; best for research conferences needing review depth.
At a glance
- Editor score6.5 / 10
- PricingPricing on request
- Best forResearch conferences needing review depth
- Free planNo
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Configurable submissions, anonymised review, and reviewer matching
- Automated draft programs with room, slot, and conflict handling
- Phone-readable programs, proceedings archives, and complete backups
Where it doesn't
- Pricing requires a sales conversation and usage-based agreement
- No free plan is offered
- Web program rather than a dedicated attendee mobile app
Our verdict on ProgramChair
ProgramChair is conference-management software from UpScholar for academic societies and research conference organizers. It brings submissions, author accounts, co-author management, manuscript uploads, proposal editing, peer review, reviewer assignment, decision mailings, scheduling, publishing, proceedings, and backups into one system. Its strongest fit is a research conference where review depth and program coordination matter as much as basic event scheduling.
Pricing is usage-based, with rates set individually for each society and based on registrants. The two deployment options are Self-hosted and Hosted. Self-hosted runs on the customer’s site, uses the customer’s outgoing mail, and includes every feature and stage. Hosted is maintained by the vendor, handles mail on vendor infrastructure, and also includes every feature and stage. Both plans therefore cover the complete workflow, while the main choice is between customer-managed infrastructure and vendor-maintained hosting. Organizations that want a straightforward public price or a free starting tier should look elsewhere.
The product’s standout area is the connection between peer review and program construction. Topic-based reviewer matching, balanced allocation suggestions, anonymised reviews, scheduled reminders, delivery logs, and resend controls support a detailed evaluation process. After decisions, organizers can generate a draft program, schedule by drag and drop, assign rooms and time slots, detect author conflicts, publish a phone-readable web program, archive proceedings, and restore complete conference backups. That breadth suits academic events with complex submissions and scheduling constraints. It is less suitable for teams seeking a dedicated attendee mobile app or a lighter scheduling-only tool.
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ProgramChair pricing
All 2 ProgramChair plans and prices →
ProgramChair fact sheet
| Free plan | No |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Not verified |
| Attendee limit | Not verified |
| Session tracks | Not verified |
| Room scheduling | Yes |
| Speaker management | Not verified |
| Attendee mobile app | Not verified |
| Hybrid event support | Not verified |
| Deployment | Cloud, Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Web |
| Support | |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Pricing on request (source) |
| Website | programchair.io |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to ProgramChair
- Zoho BackstageA broad event platform covering registration, programming, engagement, and hybrid delivery.9.2
- FourwavesA strong fit for research conferences needing submissions, scheduling, and hybrid event tools.8.8
- SchedA feature-rich event platform for schedules, reservations, check-in, and mobile apps.8.7
See all ProgramChair alternatives →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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