Best SmarterSelect Alternatives in 2026
15 application management software our editors would look at instead of SmarterSelect, in our ranking order.
SmarterSelect: A structured application platform with published annual plans for scholarship teams. Where it falls short: there is no free plan..
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. Scores and reviews are set by our editors and never change for payment; paid placements are marked Featured. How we rank.
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OpenWater not yet scored
Best forOrganizations running complex multi-program applications
A broad platform for managing complex applications, reviews, workflows, funding, and reporting.
- Payment collection
- Reviewer collaboration
- Applicant portal
—not yet scoredVisit OpenWater -
Best forOrganizations managing varied submission programs
A broad platform for managing applications, reviews, payments, and program funds.
- Payment collection
- Reviewer collaboration
- Applicant portal
7.0/10★★★★☆Visit Submittable -
Reviewr not yet scored
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
—not yet scoredVisit Reviewr -
CommunityForce not yet scored
Best forGrant and scholarship administrators
A broad awards platform for organizations managing applications through renewals and reporting.
- Payment collection
- Reviewer collaboration
- Applicant portal
—not yet scoredVisit 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
8.0/10★★★★☆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
8.0/10★★★★☆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
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Good Grants -
Foundant Grant Lifecycle Manager not yet scored
Best forFoundations tracking grants through outcomes
A full grant lifecycle system for foundations tracking applications through outcomes.
- Reviewer collaboration
- Applicant portal
—not yet scoredVisit Foundant -
SmartSimple Cloud for Grants Management not yet scored
Best forEnterprise grant operations
A broad grant-management platform for complex, multi-stage enterprise programs.
- Payment collection
- Reviewer collaboration
- Applicant portal
—not yet scoredVisit SmartSimple -
Best forLarge submission programs needing automation
A structured platform for automating complex application and review programs.
- Payment collection
- Reviewer collaboration
- Applicant portal
8.0/10★★★★☆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
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Optimy -
Best forGrantmakers needing CRM-style relationships
A grantmaking system spanning applications, reviews, workflows, payments, and relationships.
- Payment collection
- Reviewer collaboration
- Applicant portal
7.0/10★★★★☆Visit GivingData -
Foundant Scholarship Lifecycle Manager not yet scored
Best forScholarship programs with reusable applications
A focused scholarship platform with reusable applications, structured review, and outcome reporting.
- Reviewer collaboration
- Applicant portal
—not yet scoredVisit Foundant -
Blackbaud Grantmaking not yet scored
Best forEstablished grantmaking organizations
A full grant lifecycle platform for established funding organizations.
- Reviewer collaboration
- Applicant portal
—not yet scoredVisit 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
7.0/10★★★★☆Visit Kaleidoscope
SmarterSelect Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to SmarterSelect?
Submittable: #2 in our Application Management Software ranking, with an editor score of 7.0 out of 10. A broad platform for managing applications, reviews, payments, and program funds.
SmarterSelect vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Scoring and rubrics | Reviewer collaboration | Applicant portal | Workflow automation | Reporting and analytics | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | SmarterSelect | No | — | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.0 |
| not scored | OpenWater | — | — | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | — |
| 2 | Submittable | No | — | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.0 |
| not scored | Reviewr | — | — | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | — |
| not scored | CommunityForce | — | — | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | — |
| 5 | Flexi-Grant | No | — | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.0 |
| 6 | RQ Platform | No | — | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.0 |
| 7 | Good Grants | No | — | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.3 |
| not scored | Foundant Grant Lifecycle Manager | — | — | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | — |
| not scored | SmartSimple Cloud for Grants Management | No | — | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | — |
| 10 | Submit.com | No | — | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.0 |
| 11 | Optimy | No | — | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.0 |
| 12 | GivingData | No | — | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.0 |
| not scored | Foundant Scholarship Lifecycle Manager | — | — | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | — |
| not scored | Blackbaud Grantmaking | — | — | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | — |
| 15 | Kaleidoscope | — | — | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.0 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026