Best Scholastica Alternatives in 2026
The top Scholastica alternatives are EasyChair, Microsoft CMT and OpenReview: 15 manuscript submission software our editors would look at instead of Scholastica, in our ranking order.
Scholastica: A journal-focused peer-review system with configurable workflows and annual plus per-submission fees. Where it falls short: peer review system pricing combines an annual fee with a per-submission charge.
Switching from Scholastica? For most manuscript submission software buyers the best Scholastica alternative is EasyChair, built for established conferences managing the full submission cycle.
Why People Look for a Scholastica Alternative
- Peer Review System pricing combines an annual fee with a per-submission charge
- Production Service pricing varies by word count, figures, tables, and equations
- The service is cloud-based and web-only
- No free plan — 13 of the alternatives below have it
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallEasyChair9.3
Established conferences managing the full submission cycle
Visit EasyChair - Best free optionEasyChair9.3
Has a free plan (Scholastica has none)
Visit EasyChair
All 15 Scholastica 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 forEstablished conferences managing the full submission cycle
- Better than Scholastica:
- Free plan
- Editor score 9.3 vs 8.7
A web-based conference system spanning submissions, review, scheduling, and proceedings.
9.3/10★★★★★Visit EasyChair -
Best forConferences needing a free, full-featured workflow
- Better than Scholastica:
- Free plan
- Editor score 9.1 vs 8.7
A free conference workflow spanning submissions, peer review, and presentation planning.
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Microsoft CMT -
Best forVenues needing configurable, open peer review
- Better than Scholastica:
- Free plan
- Editor score 9.0 vs 8.7
A free, configurable review workflow for conferences, journals, workshops, and symposia.
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit OpenReview -
Best forJournals wanting free, end-to-end publishing workflows
- Better than Scholastica:
- Free plan
- Editor score 8.9 vs 8.7
A free, open-source system for managing journal submissions through publication.
- ORCID integration
- Conference submissions
- Multi-journal management
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forResearch events needing free multi-stage review
- Better than Scholastica:
- Free plan
- Editor score 8.8 vs 8.7
A free web platform for scientific events with configurable submissions and multi-stage review.
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Sciencesconf -
Best forConferences needing deployment and event management
- Better than Scholastica:
- Free plan
Submission and peer review connect with scheduling, registration and event tools.
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit ConfTool -
Best forIEEE-oriented conferences processing papers
A conference workflow system with configurable peer review and IEEE proceedings support.
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit EDAS -
Best forLarge or hybrid conferences with varied submissions
A connected submission, review, scheduling and delivery system for scholarly conferences.
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Ex Ordo -
Best forConferences wanting submissions plus attendee tools
- Better than Scholastica:
- Free plan
Fourwaves combines manuscript workflows with registration, scheduling, and attendee tools.
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Fourwaves -
Best forAbstract-led events needing multi-stage review
- Better than Scholastica:
- Free plan
A free-to-start platform for abstract review, decisions, and conference scheduling.
8.2/10★★★★☆Try Oxford Abstracts -
Best forSmall conferences needing free submission and review
- Better than Scholastica:
- Free plan
Free web-based conference software for submission, blind review and proceedings workflows.
- Conference submissions
- Automated email notices
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit PaperDesk -
Best forInstitutions self-hosting events and submissions
- Better than Scholastica:
- Free plan
A self-hosted event system with abstract and paper review workflows.
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Indico -
Best forTeams wanting self-hosting and basic conference review
- Better than Scholastica:
- Free plan
Self-hosted conference workflows, with a free edition and paid options for added capabilities.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit OpenConf -
Best forSmall events testing abstract review at no cost
- Better than Scholastica:
- Free plan
A free starting point for small events managing abstract and paper reviews.
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit AbstractWiz -
Best forEvents needing a configurable review process
- Better than Scholastica:
- Free plan
A configurable submission-to-event workflow, with a free plan and paid capacity tiers.
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Congressio
Scholastica Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Scholastica?
EasyChair: #1 in our Manuscript Submission Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.3 out of 10. A web-based conference system spanning submissions, review, scheduling, and proceedings.
Is there a free alternative to Scholastica?
Yes. EasyChair, Microsoft CMT, OpenReview, Open Journal Systems and Sciencesconf have a free plan or a free tier (13 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for Scholastica alternatives?
Peer Review System pricing combines an annual fee with a per-submission charge; Production Service pricing varies by word count, figures, tables, and equations; The service is cloud-based and web-only.
How do I switch from Scholastica?
Export your data from Scholastica (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 Scholastica.
How to Switch from Scholastica
- Export your data from Scholastica (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 Scholastica.
Scholastica vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Scholastica | No | $500/unit/yr | 8.7 |
| 1 | EasyChair | Yes | $4/unit usage-based | 9.3 |
| 2 | Microsoft CMT | Yes | Free | 9.1 |
| 3 | OpenReview | Yes | Free | 9.0 |
| 4 | Open Journal Systems | Yes | Free | 8.9 |
| 5 | Sciencesconf | Yes | Free | 8.8 |
| 6 | ConfTool | Yes | 8.6 | |
| 7 | EDAS | No | $6/unit usage-based | 8.5 |
| 8 | Ex Ordo | 8.4 | ||
| 9 | Fourwaves | Yes | $899/yr | 8.3 |
| 10 | Oxford Abstracts | Yes | 8.2 | |
| 11 | PaperDesk | Yes | Free | 8.1 |
| 12 | Indico | Yes | Free | 8.0 |
| 13 | OpenConf | Yes | $600/yr | 7.9 |
| 14 | AbstractWiz | Yes | $270/unit one-time | 7.8 |
| 15 | Congressio | Yes | $490/yr | 7.7 |
Head-to-Head
- Scholastica vs EasyChair
- Scholastica vs Microsoft CMT
- Scholastica vs OpenReview
- Scholastica vs Open Journal Systems
- Scholastica vs Sciencesconf
- Scholastica vs ConfTool
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update