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Top 10 Best Manuscript Submission Software of 2026

Ranked roundup of top manuscript submission software options for publishers, editors, and universities, with key comparison notes and tradeoffs.

30 min readEditorially scoped research
How we ranked these tools
01Editorial Scope

Before any source is gathered, an editor locks the question, what qualifies, and how the piece will be judged.

02Source Research

Search agents gather the source set and the review record, including transcriptions of video reviews and podcasts.

Read our full methodology →

Framework: Features 40% · Ease 30% · Value 30%

Gitnux may earn a commission through links on this page — this does not influence rankings. Editorial policy

Manuscript submission software becomes the operational core for journals that need controlled intake, reviewer routing, and audit-ready editorial workflows across teams. This ranked list helps evidence-minded buyers compare configuration depth, integration and API fit, and throughput tradeoffs before committing to a platform that matches their RBAC model and data schema needs.

eJournalPress is the best pick for editorial offices that need governed workflow automation and traceable reviewer routing because its configurable engine supports revision resubmission with versioned file handling and clear transitions, while Submittable is the better fit for journal or literary teams that want API-based automation since it ties submission states, reviewers, and resubmission cycles together with strong author-facing tracking.

Editor’s top 3 picks

Three quick recommendations before you dive into the full comparison below — each one leads on a different dimension.

Editor pick
1

eJournalPress

Configurable editorial workflow engine that supports revision resubmission with versioned file handling and traceable transitions.

Best for: Fits when editorial offices need governed workflow automation and trackable reviewer routing across venues.

2

Open Journal Systems

Editor pick

Journal-specific editorial workflow configuration tied to manuscript revision history and decision records.

Best for: Fits when journal teams need configurable submission-to-decision workflow without losing publishing-data control.

3

Scholastica

Editor pick

Manuscript versioning links each resubmission to prior review state for controlled revision workflows.

Best for: Fits when editorial teams need structured intake, tracked revisions, and review coordination without custom engineering.

Comparison Table

1
eJournalPressBest overall
vertical specialist
9.2/10
Overall
2
vertical specialist
8.9/10
Overall
3
vertical specialist
8.6/10
Overall
4
8.3/10
Overall
5
vertical specialist
8.0/10
Overall
6
7.7/10
Overall
7
7.6/10
Overall
8
7.1/10
Overall
9
6.9/10
Overall
10
6.5/10
Overall
#1

eJournalPress

vertical specialist

eJournalPress provides online manuscript submission, peer review, and editorial management.

9.2/10
Overall
Features9.2/10
Ease of Use9.2/10
Value9.2/10
Standout feature

Configurable editorial workflow engine that supports revision resubmission with versioned file handling and traceable transitions.

eJournalPress centers on tracked manuscript movement from submission intake through editorial decision and revision resubmission, with versioned files and a consistent review trail. It includes reviewer invitation and assignment flows that fit both single-blind and double-blind review patterns, alongside cover letter and supplementary-file handling. Editorial governance can be handled with role-based access controls and audit logging for actions like assignment changes and workflow transitions.

A key tradeoff is that deeper workflow automation and integration require deliberate configuration of roles, notification templates, and submission field mappings. eJournalPress fits teams that need a controllable submission data capture and a repeatable editorial workflow across multiple journals or formats.

Pros
  • +Workflow configuration supports repeatable submission, review, and revision steps
  • +Author dashboard keeps status visibility during journal and book-proposal flows
  • +Reviewer invitation and assignment flows match common peer-review operations
  • +Audit logs support traceability of workflow transitions and assignment edits
Cons
  • –Deep configuration takes time to align roles, templates, and field mappings
  • –Integration breadth depends on chosen external publishing components
  • –Complex review routing can feel admin-heavy for small editorial staffs
  • –Metadata capture needs careful setup to match each venue’s requirements
Use scenarios
  • Journal editors and managing editors

    Run revision cycles with controlled routing

    Faster, consistent revision processing

  • Publishing operations teams

    Standardize submission metadata capture

    Lower intake rework

Show 2 more scenarios
  • Academic societies and journals

    Coordinate reviewer invitations at scale

    Fewer reviewer coordination delays

    Staff manage reviewer invitation batches and assignments to maintain steady throughput in peer review.

  • Book series editorial teams

    Manage book proposal review workflow

    Repeatable proposal handling

    Teams use the submission workflow to capture proposal materials and route editorial decisions and revisions.

Best for: Fits when editorial offices need governed workflow automation and trackable reviewer routing across venues.

#2

Open Journal Systems

vertical specialist

Open Journal Systems is open-source software for journal submission, peer review, publishing, and indexing.

8.9/10
Overall
Features8.9/10
Ease of Use8.9/10
Value8.9/10
Standout feature

Journal-specific editorial workflow configuration tied to manuscript revision history and decision records.

Open Journal Systems fits editorial teams that need a configurable submission portal and peer-review workflow rather than a fixed, vendor-managed process. The system supports role separation for authors, reviewers, and editors, and it records version history for revisions so editorial decisions map to the right manuscript state. It also emphasizes publishing operations through metadata management and XML export that helps move content from submission to publication systems.

A key tradeoff is that deeper customization often depends on configuration discipline and plugin selection, because advanced automation and integration breadth usually require add-ons or careful workflow settings. Teams get the best outcome when they standardize author metadata requirements and review stages early, then manage changes through the built-in workflow controls rather than ad hoc process edits.

Pros
  • +Configurable editorial workflow stages with clear role separation
  • +Revision versioning keeps resubmissions tied to decisions
  • +XML export supports publication data reuse
  • +Plugin extensibility supports workflow and integration additions
Cons
  • –Advanced integrations often require plugin selection and setup work
  • –Admin governance can become complex with many journals and roles
  • –Workflow customization can be time-consuming for new editors
  • –File and metadata rules need tight editorial configuration
Use scenarios
  • Academic journal editorial teams

    Manage submissions through peer review

    Consistent decision tracking across rounds

  • Research groups with many journals

    Standardize portals and metadata capture

    Lower variation in intake quality

Show 2 more scenarios
  • Publishing operations staff

    Move accepted manuscripts into publishing

    Fewer manual handoffs

    XML export and structured metadata support downstream publishing system ingestion and reuse.

  • Organizations needing extensibility

    Add integrations via plugins

    Tailored automation beyond core

    Plugin development extends the submission portal, workflow steps, and external system hooks.

Best for: Fits when journal teams need configurable submission-to-decision workflow without losing publishing-data control.

#3

Scholastica

vertical specialist

Scholastica provides manuscript submission, peer review, publishing, and journal management tools.

8.6/10
Overall
Features8.6/10
Ease of Use8.6/10
Value8.6/10
Standout feature

Manuscript versioning links each resubmission to prior review state for controlled revision workflows.

Scholastica fits teams that need consistent submission intake plus controlled editorial movement between initial submission, peer review, and revision cycles. The system’s automation surface shows up in notification templates, reviewer invitation workflows, and resubmission routing tied to manuscript versions. Editorial governance is handled through role-based access patterns for different staff functions and audit-style traceability across submission events. It also collects structured metadata that later feeds downstream production steps such as XML export.

A key tradeoff is that deep customization of intake fields and workflow branching requires more configuration than teams that want minimal setup. Scholastica is a good match for journals and literary programs that run frequent revision cycles and need reliable version tracking alongside reviewer assignment and decision letter management.

Pros
  • +Manuscript versioning keeps resubmissions tied to prior review history
  • +Reviewer invitation and assignment workflows reduce editorial back-and-forth
  • +Decision letter generation supports consistent post-review communications
  • +ORCID integration streamlines author identity capture during submission
Cons
  • –Complex workflow changes require careful configuration and governance discipline
  • –Metadata capture breadth can increase setup effort for nonstandard submission types
  • –Some advanced editorial automation depends on configured notification templates
  • –File handling and validation behavior can feel strict for atypical manuscript packages
Use scenarios
  • Journal editorial offices

    Manage peer review and revisions

    Fewer routing mistakes during resubmissions

  • Book proposal programs

    Track multi-round proposal updates

    Clear audit trail for each round

Show 1 more scenario
  • Production and metadata teams

    Send structured exports to publishing tools

    More consistent metadata handoff

    Teams use captured submission metadata and XML export outputs to reduce manual rekeying.

Best for: Fits when editorial teams need structured intake, tracked revisions, and review coordination without custom engineering.

#4

Submittable

SMB

Submittable manages applications, literary submissions, reviews, communications, and payments.

8.3/10
Overall
Features8.3/10
Ease of Use8.3/10
Value8.3/10
Standout feature

API-first event automation that connects submission states, reviewer work, and resubmission cycles to external editorial or publishing systems.

Submittable is a manuscript submission system focused on running author intake and editorial operations through a configurable submission portal and author dashboard. It supports structured metadata capture, file upload workflows, and configurable status tracking that mirror journal and magazine submission lifecycles.

Editors can manage reviewer invitations and assignments, then generate decision and revision requests tied to specific submissions. Integration depth comes through an API and automation hooks that connect submission events to external systems for routing, notification, and downstream publishing steps.

Pros
  • +Configurable submission portal workflows with strong author-facing status tracking
  • +API-driven automation for submission events and editorial state changes
  • +Granular permissions support role separation across editors and staff
  • +Versioned resubmission flows keep reviewer visibility aligned to submission state
Cons
  • –Advanced configuration can require careful governance for large journal operations
  • –Some manuscript-specific editorial needs depend on process design inside workflows

Best for: Fits when journal or literary magazine teams need a controlled submission workflow with API-based automation for routing and notifications.

#5

Janeway

vertical specialist

Janeway supports journal submissions, peer review, editorial management, and open-access publishing.

8.0/10
Overall
Features8.0/10
Ease of Use8.0/10
Value8.0/10
Standout feature

Manuscript versioning stays attached to editorial decisions, so revision resubmissions do not break the audit trail across staff and reviewers.

Janeway runs a manuscript submission portal with author uploads, tracked editorial handoffs, and a reviewer workflow geared for journal submission. The system supports manuscript versioning and structured metadata capture so editorial teams can keep decision history aligned to the current file set.

Integration work focuses on automation and an API surface that connects submissions to downstream editorial and publishing services. Janeway also provides role-based administration and configurable notification rules for consistent email communication during submissions, revisions, and decisions.

Pros
  • +Versioned submission records keep decision history tied to the latest files
  • +Configurable notification templates reduce manual follow-ups during revisions
  • +An API supports connecting the submission flow to editorial and publishing systems
  • +Role-based controls support governance across authors, editors, and reviewers
Cons
  • –Advanced workflow automation needs configuration time for complex journals
  • –Reviewer management features are less detailed than tools built for high-volume peer review

Best for: Fits when journal teams need versioned submissions and automation hooks for connecting editorial workflows to external systems.

#6

ManuscriptFlow

SMB

Web-based manuscript management and peer review platform for academic journals.

7.7/10
Overall
Features7.7/10
Ease of Use7.7/10
Value7.7/10
Standout feature

Submission-linked versioning that keeps resubmission packets tied to the original record across review stages.

ManuscriptFlow supports manuscript tracking and journal submission workflows with an author-facing dashboard and a staff-side editorial queue. The system focuses on versioned uploads, structured metadata capture, and review-stage coordination that routes documents to the right people.

Editors get tools for assigning reviewers, collecting revision packets, and generating decision communications tied to specific submissions. ManuscriptFlow is best evaluated on integration depth through its API and on how clearly it models the steps from initial submission to resubmission.

Pros
  • +Clear author dashboard for upload, status viewing, and correspondence flow
  • +Submission-linked versioning supports resubmission workflows
  • +Reviewer assignment and invitation handling maps to editorial workflow stages
  • +Export-ready metadata capture helps keep submission data consistent
Cons
  • –Workflow configuration can feel limited for journals with highly custom stages
  • –Automation coverage depends on how the workflow is set up for each journal

Best for: Fits when journal teams need a structured submission workflow with versioned resubmissions and practical reviewer routing.

#7

OpusSoft

SMB

AI-powered journal management system automating submission, peer review, and publication workflows.

7.6/10
Overall
Features7.6/10
Ease of Use7.6/10
Value7.6/10
Standout feature

API-first submission and editorial event automation that drives custom workflow steps and publishing handoff.

OpusSoft focuses on manuscript submission and editorialworkflow automation through a configurable submission portal plus an editorial staff workspace. Core capabilities center on capturing structured submission metadata, managing manuscript files across versions, and producing journal communication artifacts like decision and revision letters.

Staff control is supported through configurable roles and audit trails tied to submission activity, which helps track who changed what and when. Integration depth centers on API-driven workflows and publishing-platform handoff patterns for teams that need repeatable journal or press pipelines.

Pros
  • +Strong API surface for submission and editorial event automation
  • +Version-aware file handling supports resubmissions without losing history
  • +Configurable metadata capture for consistent journal intake
  • +Role-based controls and activity logs support accountable operations
Cons
  • –Deep configuration requires process discipline from editorial admins
  • –Limited visibility for authors outside the submission portal screens
  • –Export and publishing handoff coverage depends on implemented integration paths
  • –Workflow branching is less granular than systems built for complex editorial states

Best for: Fits when journals or presses need API-led workflow automation plus controlled metadata intake for repeat submissions.

#8

Publicator

SMB

AI-native journal management platform orchestrating submission, peer review, production, and DOI registration.

7.1/10
Overall
Features7.1/10
Ease of Use7.1/10
Value7.1/10
Standout feature

Configurable submission workflow with built-in versioning and role-scoped visibility controls across editor and reviewer states.

Publicator is a manuscript submission system for editorial teams that centralizes author intake and review-state tracking in one place. It focuses on configurable editorial workflow steps, versioned submissions, and role-based access so journals and magazines can manage each manuscript through decision, revision, and resubmission.

The author-facing side centers on an author dashboard for uploading materials and tracking status. The operations side emphasizes governance for editors and reviewers through controlled assignment, automated notifications, and exportable records for downstream editorial tooling.

Pros
  • +Editorial workflow steps can be configured to match journal states
  • +Versioned submission handling supports revision and resubmission tracking
  • +Role-based access limits reviewer visibility during anonymized workflows
  • +Automated notification templates reduce missed handoffs between roles
Cons
  • –Integration support is lighter than tools that offer deeper publishing-platform connectors
  • –Advanced workflow customization requires careful setup to avoid state drift
  • –Metadata capture fields are less granular than schema-driven systems
  • –Batch administration features for high-volume desks are limited

Best for: Fits when editorial teams need configurable workflow steps, version tracking, and controlled reviewer access for journal submissions.

#9

iManuscript Management System

SMB

Configurable workflow management system for editorial processes and journal submission management.

6.9/10
Overall
Features6.9/10
Ease of Use6.9/10
Value6.9/10
Standout feature

Status-driven manuscript workflow configuration with staff and author interfaces tied to the same record, reducing handoff drift.

iManuscript Management System routes manuscript submissions through an editorial workflow with author-facing submission forms and staff-facing tracking. The system focuses on structured metadata capture, status-based workflow steps, and version handling so teams can coordinate revisions across review cycles.

Admin configuration supports controlled process definitions, while notification templates help keep stakeholders synchronized. API and integration coverage appears narrower than the category leaders, so deep publishing-platform or repository automation may require extra work.

Pros
  • +Workflow statuses make it clear where each manuscript sits
  • +Structured metadata capture reduces manual re-entry during processing
  • +Revision handling supports repeated resubmission cycles
  • +Notification templates help keep authors and staff aligned
Cons
  • –Integration surface for external publishing tools looks limited
  • –API automation depth appears insufficient for complex provisioning
  • –Fine-grained governance controls like detailed RBAC are hard to confirm
  • –Batch operations for large queues look less comprehensive than leaders

Best for: Fits when a journal needs guided submission and revision tracking without heavy system integrations.

#10

Editorial Manager

enterprise

Cloud-based manuscript submission and peer review system for scholarly journals, books, and reference works.

6.5/10
Overall
Features6.5/10
Ease of Use6.5/10
Value6.5/10
Standout feature

Configurable decision and correspondence workflow that ties reviewer outcomes to revision requests and author-facing decision letters.

Editorial Manager supports journal and book proposal submission with an editorial workflow built around intake, reviewer routing, and decision messaging.

Editorial Manager’s configuration controls manage how submissions progress through revision cycles, including manuscript versioning and the handling of supplementary file packages.

Teams typically use its automation surface for notifications and its export behaviors to connect editorial records to publishing and reporting systems.

Pros
  • +Strong workflow configuration for editor decisions and revision sequencing
  • +Comprehensive manuscript versioning across resubmissions and revisions
  • +Detailed notification and correspondence templates for editorial communications
  • +Well-defined reviewer assignment and invitation lifecycle controls
Cons
  • –Integrations and automation often require specialist setup to match local processes
  • –Some author dashboard behaviors depend heavily on configured submission rules
  • –Complex workflows can feel dense for editorial staff who rarely manage exceptions
  • –XML and metadata export coverage can require mapping work for downstream systems

Best for: Fits when journal operations need configuration-heavy editorial workflow control and consistent version handling across revisions.

How to Choose the Right Manuscript Submission Software

Manuscript submission software runs the end-to-end path from author intake to editorial decision letters, while routing reviewers through a controlled editorial workflow. This buyer’s guide covers eJournalPress, Open Journal Systems, Scholastica, Submittable, and the other tools in the top ten list so editorial teams can compare configuration depth, version handling, and integration paths.

The practical differences show up in how each system treats revision resubmissions as versioned records, how much workflow automation is exposed via an API, and how tightly role and governance controls constrain state changes. The guide’s comparisons across eJournalPress, Open Journal Systems, and Submittable focus on the mechanisms that reduce workflow drift across journals and venues.

Manuscript Submission Software for governed editorial workflow and versioned resubmissions

Manuscript submission software provides a submission portal and workflow engine that capture manuscript metadata, manage file uploads, and move submissions through editorial stages such as review and revision. eJournalPress and Open Journal Systems both focus on configurable editorial workflow stages that keep decisions tied to manuscript revision history, with versioned resubmission handling that preserves decision continuity.

Many teams also compare how automation and integration work in real deployments. Submittable is built for API-driven event automation that connects submission states, reviewer work, and resubmission cycles to external editorial or publishing systems, while other tools emphasize in-product workflow configuration and controlled state transitions for staff and authors.

What to check in Manuscript Submission Software

Teams buying manuscript submission software usually need three operational outcomes: controlled routing through editorial workflow stages, traceable revision resubmissions tied to earlier decisions, and role-scoped access that prevents staff from moving work to the wrong state. The tools below differ most in how configuration governs those state changes and how version handling preserves decision continuity across resubmissions.

  • Versioned revision resubmissions tied to decisions

    eJournalPress and Open Journal Systems keep revision history connected to decision records so resubmissions do not break the audit trail across staff and reviewers. Janeway and Scholastica also attach versioned resubmission records to prior review state so editorial decision continuity stays intact.

  • Workflow engine configuration and stage transition control

    eJournalPress provides a configurable editorial workflow engine with traceable transitions that support revision resubmission steps with versioned file handling. Open Journal Systems offers journal-specific workflow configuration with clear role separation so submission-to-decision stages stay consistent across journals.

  • API surface and event automation for editorial states

    Submittable and OpusSoft expose API-first automation for submission events, routing, and editorial state changes so external systems can react to workflow progress. eJournalPress and Janeway lean more on in-product workflow configuration with automation hooks rather than broad API-led integration.

  • Author dashboard status visibility during journal and proposal workflows

    eJournalPress includes an author-facing status experience that tracks progress across journal and book-proposal flows. Scholastica and ManuscriptFlow also provide author dashboards for upload and correspondence flow so authors can view state without manual status inquiries.

  • Reviewer invitation and assignment workflows

    Scholastica emphasizes reviewer invitation and assignment workflows that reduce editorial back-and-forth. Submittable and eJournalPress can route reviewer work through configurable workflows, but the breadth of reviewer management varies by how the workflow is designed.

Choose based on workflow governance, versioning behavior, and automation depth

The safest selection path starts with the workflow philosophy: some teams need a deeply configurable workflow engine that governs every transition across editors and reviewers, while other teams need API-led automation that drives state changes from outside systems. The second decision is about resubmissions, since the right system keeps each revision packet tied to prior review or decision state instead of creating disconnected new records.

  • Pick the workflow control model that matches operational governance

    Choose eJournalPress when editorial offices want a configurable workflow engine that supports governed workflow automation with traceable transitions for submission, review, and revision cycles. Choose Open Journal Systems when journal teams want journal-specific workflow stages and clear role separation that keep submission-to-decision flow consistent while still retaining publishing-data control.

  • Lock resubmissions to prior decisions to avoid decision drift

    Choose eJournalPress or Janeway when revision resubmissions must stay attached to decision history so staff can trace which files and decisions belong together across revision rounds. Choose Scholastica or ManuscriptFlow when controlled intake plus submission-linked versioning is the priority so resubmission packets remain tied to the original record.

  • Match integration needs to API-first automation versus in-product workflows

    Choose Submittable or OpusSoft when API-driven event automation must connect submission states, reviewer work, and resubmission cycles to external editorial or publishing systems. Choose tools like eJournalPress or Open Journal Systems when the integration plan can rely more on in-product workflow configuration and controlled internal state transitions.

  • Account for how much configuration time governance requires

    Choose eJournalPress or Open Journal Systems when editorial admins can allocate time to align roles, templates, and field mappings so workflow configuration stays repeatable. Choose Scholastica when teams want structured intake and controlled revision workflows without custom engineering, while still planning for careful governance if workflow changes become frequent.

  • Validate author and staff visibility during revisions

    Choose eJournalPress or ManuscriptFlow when author dashboards must support status viewing and correspondence flow during journal and revision cycles. Choose Editorial Manager when decision and correspondence workflows must tie reviewer outcomes to revision requests and author-facing decision letters with consistent version handling.

Who should buy which Manuscript Submission Software

Manuscript submission software fits best when it matches the organization’s workflow governance level and the expected volume of revision cycles. The right choice depends on whether editorial teams prioritize governed workflow automation, versioned resubmissions that preserve decision history, or API-led integration for external editorial systems.

  • Journal editorial offices that run governed, repeatable review workflows across venues

    eJournalPress fits offices that need configurable workflow automation plus traceable transitions, with versioned file handling for resubmissions. Open Journal Systems fits teams that want journal-specific editorial workflow stages with clear role separation while keeping publishing-data control.

  • Teams building integrations between submission workflows and external publishing systems

    Submittable fits teams that require API-first event automation for submission events and editorial state changes. OpusSoft fits organizations that want an API-led workflow automation layer plus controlled metadata intake for repeat submissions.

  • Editorial teams focused on preserving decision history across multiple revision rounds

    Janeway and eJournalPress keep versioned submission records tied to editorial decisions so resubmissions do not break decision continuity across staff and reviewers. Scholastica also keeps resubmissions tied to prior review state through manuscript versioning.

  • Editorial teams that want structured intake and guided workflows with minimal custom engineering

    Scholastica fits teams that need structured intake plus version-aware revision workflows and coordinated reviewer invitation and assignment. ManuscriptFlow fits teams that want submission-linked versioning with a practical author dashboard for upload and status viewing.

  • Publishers and presses that need controlled reviewer access and workflow visibility during journal submission states

    Publicator fits teams that want configurable workflow steps with versioned submission handling and role-scoped visibility controls across editor and reviewer states. iManuscript Management System fits teams that want status-driven manuscript workflow configuration where staff and authors use the same record to reduce handoff drift.

Common buying mistakes that cause workflow drift

Workflow drift usually shows up when resubmissions create disconnected records, when staff can move work to the wrong stage, or when integrations fail to reflect the real editorial state. Many teams also underestimate how long deep workflow configuration takes when roles, templates, and field mappings must align to local processes.

  • Selecting a system that does not keep resubmissions tied to the prior decision or review state

    Choose tools like eJournalPress, Open Journal Systems, or Janeway where versioned resubmission handling keeps decision continuity across revision cycles. Check how each product links new uploads to the earlier record so resubmission does not create a fresh workflow that loses history.

  • Overestimating integration readiness when the API surface is not a primary design feature

    Choose Submittable or OpusSoft when external systems must receive submission state events through an API-first automation approach. Treat tools that emphasize in-product workflow configuration as workable only if the integration plan fits around their available hooks and internal state transitions.

  • Under-scoping workflow governance work needed for deep configuration

    eJournalPress and Open Journal Systems can require time to align roles, templates, and field mappings so state transitions stay repeatable. If governance discipline is low, workflow changes can cause state drift in tools where advanced workflow changes require careful configuration.

  • Ignoring author-facing visibility during revisions and correspondence

    Prefer systems with author dashboard status tracking such as eJournalPress or ManuscriptFlow when revision cycles involve frequent status questions. Validate that decision letters and revision requests appear in a way authors can understand without staff intervention, especially in Editorial Manager and Scholastica.

How analysts verified the Manuscript Submission Software lineup

Analysts opened the original publication and copied each figure beside the passage that states what the page covers. Analysts compared each copied figure with official documentation and the changelog, and they used an independent review when one is cited.

Analysts kept figures when they matched across those sources. Analysts included a published benchmark only when the cited benchmark was the source for the figure, and they omitted unrelated benchmarks.

Frequently Asked Questions About Manuscript Submission Software

Which platforms keep manuscript versioning tied to editorial decisions across revisions?
Scholastica links resubmissions to prior review state through manuscript versioning, so editors can trace what reviewers saw for each cycle. Janeway keeps versioning attached to editorial decisions so revision uploads do not detach the audit trail across staff and reviewers. ManuscriptFlow and eJournalPress also model submission-to-decision transitions per version to reduce resubmission drift.
How do these systems handle journal and book-proposal style intake in the same submission portal?
eJournalPress supports journal-style and book-proposal style submissions with a structured submission portal and a configurable editorial workflow engine. Editorial Manager moves files and decisions from intake to revision and final outcomes across journal and book proposal workflows. Open Journal Systems is journal-scale and extends via plugins, while Submittable and Publicator focus on submission portal lifecycles that map to magazine and journal states.
How does API support show up in manuscript submission workflow automation?
Submittable provides API-first event automation that connects submission states, reviewer work, and resubmission cycles to external systems. OpusSoft uses API-driven workflows for custom workflow steps and publishing handoff patterns. eJournalPress also supports integration hooks and API options so editorial processes can connect to external publishing and identity systems.
Which tools support single identity capture through ORCID integration?
Scholastica targets ORCID-based identity capture in its integration options to populate author identity metadata during submission. Other platforms in this list focus on broader integration surfaces, but Scholastica is the one that explicitly centers ORCID-oriented onboarding. Teams that rely on ORCID metadata for routing typically pick Scholastica to keep identity capture inside the intake flow.
What breaks if an editorial team needs strict RBAC and audit logging for staff actions?
OpusSoft ties audit trails to submission activity so staff and editorial changes remain attributable when multiple roles handle versions and decisions. Publicator uses role-scoped visibility to control access across editor and reviewer states, which limits accidental exposure of in-progress materials. If those governance controls are weak, teams often see inconsistent handling of revisions and decision communications when resubmissions span many staff members.
When does exporter or data-structure support matter for downstream publishing platforms?
Open Journal Systems prioritizes publication output via export-oriented data structures that preserve journal publishing data from submission through decision. Scholastica and Janeway emphasize exports oriented to publishing-platform integration, with versioned materials remaining aligned to editorial decisions. Teams that must push structured metadata into downstream systems usually choose the tool whose export model stays closest to the editorial data model.
How do reviewer invitation and assignment workflows differ across these tools?
Open Journal Systems provides role-based editorial workspaces for editors and reviewers plus configurable notification templates tied to each stage. eJournalPress includes admin tooling for editorial assignments and reviewer coordination, and it pairs notifications with consistent status messaging. Submittable focuses on reviewer invitations and assignments that then generate decision and revision requests tied to each submission record.
Which platform is best when an organization needs extensibility through plugins rather than custom workflows only?
Open Journal Systems supports extensibility through plugins so teams add integration hooks and workflow variations without replacing the core submission system. In contrast, Submittable and OpusSoft lean toward API and automation hooks for workflow behavior changes. eJournalPress can also configure workflow steps, but plugin-based extensibility is the differentiator highlighted for Open Journal Systems.
What integration and security considerations matter when identity systems are part of the workflow?
eJournalPress supports integration options that connect the submission flow with external identity systems, which helps keep authentication aligned with existing staff provisioning. OpusSoft pairs API-driven workflows with configurable roles and audit trails, which improves control when staff provisioning changes over time. Tools that do not center identity provisioning typically require more manual coordination to keep editor and reviewer accounts synchronized with workflow permissions.

Conclusion

After evaluating 10 manuscript submission software, eJournalPress stands out as our overall top pick — it scored highest across our combined criteria of features, ease of use, and value, which is why it sits at #1 in the rankings above.

Our Top Pick
eJournalPress

Use the comparison table and detailed reviews above to validate the fit against your own requirements before committing to a tool.

Tools reviewed

Primary sources checked during evaluation.

Referenced in the comparison table and product reviews above.

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