Quick Overview
- 1#1: Submittable - Comprehensive platform for managing submissions in publishing, grants, awards, and contests with workflow automation and review tools.
- 2#2: EasyChair - Robust conference management system handling paper submissions, reviews, and scheduling for academic events.
- 3#3: Award Force - Awards and grants management software streamlining applications, judging, and winner announcements.
- 4#4: Fluxible - End-to-end grants management platform for accepting, reviewing, and awarding submissions efficiently.
- 5#5: SlideRoom - Portfolio-based submission platform tailored for creative applications in arts, design, and education.
- 6#6: Microsoft CMT - Conference management toolkit for paper submissions, reviewer assignments, and program generation.
- 7#7: ScholarOne Manuscripts - Manuscript submission and peer-review system used by journals for scholarly publishing workflows.
- 8#8: Editorial Manager - Online system for manuscript submission, tracking, and editorial peer review in academic publishing.
- 9#9: ConfTool - Flexible conference software for managing registrations, submissions, and proceedings.
- 10#10: OpenReview - Open platform for collecting paper submissions and hosting public discussions and reviews.
Tools were selected based on robust functionality, consistent user experience, and clear value, ensuring a balanced guide that prioritizes quality and practicality for professionals.
Comparison Table
Discover a detailed comparison of leading submissions software, featuring Submittable, EasyChair, Award Force, Fluxible, SlideRoom, and additional tools. This table outlines key functionalities, use cases, and practical benefits to help identify the ideal fit for tasks like grant management, academic submissions, or competitions.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Submittable Comprehensive platform for managing submissions in publishing, grants, awards, and contests with workflow automation and review tools. | enterprise | 9.5/10 | 9.7/10 | 8.9/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 2 | EasyChair Robust conference management system handling paper submissions, reviews, and scheduling for academic events. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 6.8/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 3 | Award Force Awards and grants management software streamlining applications, judging, and winner announcements. | enterprise | 9.2/10 | 9.7/10 | 8.1/10 | 8.6/10 |
| 4 | Fluxible End-to-end grants management platform for accepting, reviewing, and awarding submissions efficiently. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 5 | SlideRoom Portfolio-based submission platform tailored for creative applications in arts, design, and education. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.6/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 6 | Microsoft CMT Conference management toolkit for paper submissions, reviewer assignments, and program generation. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.0/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 7 | ScholarOne Manuscripts Manuscript submission and peer-review system used by journals for scholarly publishing workflows. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 6.4/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 8 | Editorial Manager Online system for manuscript submission, tracking, and editorial peer review in academic publishing. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 9.2/10 | 6.8/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 9 | ConfTool Flexible conference software for managing registrations, submissions, and proceedings. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.4/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 10 | OpenReview Open platform for collecting paper submissions and hosting public discussions and reviews. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 6.5/10 | 9.5/10 |
Comprehensive platform for managing submissions in publishing, grants, awards, and contests with workflow automation and review tools.
Robust conference management system handling paper submissions, reviews, and scheduling for academic events.
Awards and grants management software streamlining applications, judging, and winner announcements.
End-to-end grants management platform for accepting, reviewing, and awarding submissions efficiently.
Portfolio-based submission platform tailored for creative applications in arts, design, and education.
Conference management toolkit for paper submissions, reviewer assignments, and program generation.
Manuscript submission and peer-review system used by journals for scholarly publishing workflows.
Online system for manuscript submission, tracking, and editorial peer review in academic publishing.
Flexible conference software for managing registrations, submissions, and proceedings.
Open platform for collecting paper submissions and hosting public discussions and reviews.
Submittable
enterpriseComprehensive platform for managing submissions in publishing, grants, awards, and contests with workflow automation and review tools.
Advanced blind review and anonymization tools that promote unbiased, equitable evaluations by automatically stripping identifying information from submissions.
Submittable is a leading submissions management platform that enables organizations to collect, review, and manage applications for grants, awards, literary publications, and creative contests efficiently. It provides customizable forms, collaborative review workflows, automated notifications, and advanced reporting tools to handle high-volume submissions seamlessly. Trusted by thousands of publishers, nonprofits, and brands, it supports equitable evaluation processes with features like blind reviewing and bias reduction tools.
Pros
- Highly customizable forms and workflows tailored to specific submission needs
- Powerful collaboration tools including blind review and multi-stage evaluations
- Robust analytics, reporting, and integrations with tools like Zapier and Google Workspace
Cons
- Pricing can be expensive for very small organizations or low-volume users
- Initial setup and customization may require a learning curve
- Limited options for highly technical custom integrations without developer support
Best For
Mid-to-large organizations, publications, nonprofits, and award programs handling high volumes of creative or grant submissions that require collaborative, equitable review processes.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing starts at around $99/month for Starter plans, with Pro ($299+/month) and Enterprise tiers for advanced needs; free trial available.
EasyChair
enterpriseRobust conference management system handling paper submissions, reviews, and scheduling for academic events.
Sophisticated reviewer bidding, assignment, and conflict management system with integrated PC discussion forums
EasyChair is a robust web-based platform primarily used for managing academic conference submissions, peer reviews, and program committee decisions. It streamlines the entire process from paper submission and author management to reviewer bidding, assignment, conflict detection, and virtual meetings with discussion tools. Widely adopted in computer science and related fields, it supports complex workflows including multiple tracks, senior reviewers, and various export formats for proceedings.
Pros
- Highly comprehensive workflow for peer review, bidding, and PC discussions
- Scalable for conferences with thousands of submissions
- Completely free with no limits on usage or submissions
Cons
- Dated and clunky user interface
- Steep learning curve for first-time organizers
- Limited customization and third-party integrations
Best For
Academic conference organizers managing large-scale peer-reviewed paper submissions and reviews.
Pricing
Free for all users, including organizers, authors, and reviewers—no subscriptions or per-submission fees.
Award Force
enterpriseAwards and grants management software streamlining applications, judging, and winner announcements.
Visual drag-and-drop program builder for creating intricate, multi-stage submission and judging workflows
Award Force is a comprehensive awards management platform that streamlines the entire process from submission collection to winner announcements. It offers customizable entry forms, automated workflows for judging and scoring, audience voting, and detailed reporting. Ideal for complex awards programs, it supports multilingual entries, integrations with CRM and payment systems, and scalable deployment for global events.
Pros
- Highly customizable forms and workflows for complex submission processes
- Robust judging tools with multi-stage scoring and blind review options
- Strong analytics, reporting, and integration capabilities
Cons
- Steep learning curve for non-technical users
- Custom pricing can be expensive for small-scale programs
- Limited self-service options for quick setups
Best For
Large organizations and agencies managing prestigious, multi-category awards programs with high submission volumes.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing starting around $5,000/year for basic plans, scaling to enterprise levels with add-ons.
Fluxible
enterpriseEnd-to-end grants management platform for accepting, reviewing, and awarding submissions efficiently.
AI-powered 'Content Cards' system that intelligently matches and suggests reusable content snippets from a centralized library
Fluxible is an AI-powered RFP and proposal management platform that streamlines the creation, collaboration, and submission of responses to RFPs, RFIs, and other sales documents. It centralizes content libraries with intelligent search capabilities, enables real-time team collaboration, and automates workflows to reduce response times significantly. Designed for enterprise sales teams, Fluxible helps transform scattered knowledge into reusable assets for faster, higher-quality submissions.
Pros
- Powerful AI-driven content search and auto-suggest for rapid response building
- Robust real-time collaboration tools with version control
- Comprehensive analytics and insights on submission performance
Cons
- Steep learning curve for advanced customization features
- Pricing is enterprise-oriented and not ideal for small teams
- Limited integrations with some legacy CRM systems
Best For
Mid-to-large enterprise sales teams managing high volumes of complex RFPs and proposals.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing; typically starts at $10,000+ annually based on team size and features.
SlideRoom
specializedPortfolio-based submission platform tailored for creative applications in arts, design, and education.
Superior embedded media playback and portfolio presentation directly within the review interface
SlideRoom is a cloud-based platform specialized in collecting, managing, and reviewing creative submissions like portfolios, artwork, videos, and media files for organizations such as universities and arts programs. It offers customizable application forms, secure file uploads with embedding capabilities, and robust tools for collaborative judging, scoring rubrics, and workflow automation. Primarily used for admissions, scholarships, and competitions in visual arts, design, and performing arts.
Pros
- Exceptional multimedia support for images, videos, audio, and 3D files with seamless embedding
- Advanced review tools including customizable rubrics, blind judging, and team collaboration
- Flexible form builders and workflow automation tailored to high-volume submission processes
Cons
- Steep learning curve for setup and advanced features
- Pricing can be prohibitive for small organizations or low-volume users
- Interface feels dated compared to modern SaaS tools
Best For
Universities, arts organizations, and competition hosts managing large-scale creative portfolio submissions.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing based on submission volume and features; typically starts at $5,000+ annually with per-submission fees.
Microsoft CMT
enterpriseConference management toolkit for paper submissions, reviewer assignments, and program generation.
Robust reviewer bidding and automatic conflict-of-interest detection tailored for high-volume academic conferences
Microsoft CMT (Conference Management Toolkit) is a free, web-based platform primarily used for managing academic conference paper submissions, peer reviews, and program committee workflows. It enables organizers to create venues, collect submissions, facilitate reviewer bidding and assignment, detect conflicts of interest, and compile final proceedings. Widely adopted in computer science and AI conferences like NeurIPS and ICML, it handles high submission volumes reliably but with a somewhat legacy interface.
Pros
- Completely free with no limits on submissions or users
- Scales reliably for massive conferences with thousands of papers
- Strong core workflow including bidding, TPMS integration, and conflict detection
Cons
- Outdated, clunky user interface that feels legacy
- Limited customization and modern features like real-time collaboration
- Minimal support, relying on community forums and sporadic updates
Best For
Academic conference organizers in computer science handling large-scale submissions who prioritize cost-free reliability over modern UX.
Pricing
Entirely free for all features and scale.
ScholarOne Manuscripts
enterpriseManuscript submission and peer-review system used by journals for scholarly publishing workflows.
Highly configurable workflow engine that supports diverse publishing models and automated manuscript routing
ScholarOne Manuscripts is a comprehensive web-based platform for managing scholarly journal submissions, peer review, and editorial workflows. It supports the full lifecycle from author submission through revision, review, and decision-making, with tools for editors, reviewers, and production teams. Widely used by thousands of journals worldwide, it offers high customization and integrations with tools like ORCID and Crossref.
Pros
- Extensive customization for complex workflows
- Robust integrations and reporting analytics
- Scalable for high-volume publishers with proven reliability
Cons
- Steep learning curve and dated interface
- Expensive for small journals or societies
- Occasional bugs and slow customer support response
Best For
Large academic publishers and high-impact journals handling thousands of submissions annually that need deep customization.
Pricing
Custom pricing based on journal volume and features; typically starts at several thousand dollars per year per journal, with enterprise plans for publishers.
Editorial Manager
enterpriseOnline system for manuscript submission, tracking, and editorial peer review in academic publishing.
Advanced configurable workflow engine that automates peer review cascades, revisions, and multi-stage decisions
Editorial Manager is a robust, web-based platform from Aries Systems specializing in manuscript submission, tracking, and peer-review management for scholarly journals and publishers. It supports the full editorial workflow, from author submissions and metadata capture to reviewer assignments, decision tracking, and production handoff. Widely adopted by over 1,500 journals, it emphasizes scalability, compliance, and integration with tools like CrossRef and iThenticate for plagiarism detection.
Pros
- Highly scalable for high-volume journals with customizable workflows
- Strong integrations for plagiarism checks and production systems
- Proven reliability used by major publishers like Elsevier and Springer
Cons
- Outdated interface with a steep learning curve for new users
- Complex setup and customization requires vendor support
- Pricing is opaque and can be expensive for smaller journals
Best For
Large academic publishers and journal networks managing thousands of submissions annually who prioritize workflow robustness over modern UI.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing per journal or portfolio, typically starting at $10,000+ annually based on volume; requires sales quote.
ConfTool
specializedFlexible conference software for managing registrations, submissions, and proceedings.
Reviewer bidding system allowing experts to self-select relevant papers for fair and efficient assignments
ConfTool is a web-based conference management system tailored for academic and scientific events, handling submissions, reviews, and scheduling. It supports full-paper and abstract management, double-blind reviewing, and customizable workflows including reviewer bidding. Used by thousands of conferences worldwide, it emphasizes reliability and flexibility for organizers.
Pros
- Highly customizable workflows for submissions and reviews
- Reviewer bidding system for efficient assignments
- Proven reliability with strong data security and uptime
Cons
- Dated user interface lacking modern polish
- Per-conference pricing model can add up for frequent users
- Limited integrations with other tools like Zoom or ORCID
Best For
Academic conference chairs organizing mid-sized events who need robust, flexible submission handling without subscription commitments.
Pricing
Starts at €390 for up to 100 submissions; scales to €2,500+ for larger events with premium features.
OpenReview
specializedOpen platform for collecting paper submissions and hosting public discussions and reviews.
Public discussion forums allowing ongoing community feedback on published papers
OpenReview.net is an open-source platform designed for managing academic conference submissions, peer reviews, and discussions, particularly popular in AI and machine learning communities. It supports double-blind reviewing, automated reviewer matching via bidding, and post-publication forums for paper discussions. Organizers can customize workflows for paper collection, assignment, and evaluation, making it a robust tool for scholarly events.
Pros
- Completely free and open-source with no usage limits
- Advanced features like reviewer bidding and public discussion forums
- Proven scalability for large conferences like NeurIPS and ICLR
Cons
- Steep learning curve for setup and customization
- Clunky user interface compared to commercial alternatives
- Limited integrations and support primarily community-driven
Best For
Academic conference organizers in computer science and AI needing a cost-free platform for open peer review.
Pricing
Free and open-source; no paid tiers.
Conclusion
When assessing submission software, the top tools demonstrate distinct strengths, with Submittable leading as the overall choice for its versatile workflow automation and broad use across publishing, grants, contests, and more. EasyChair remains a strong option for academic conference management, and Award Force excels in streamlining applications and judging. Together, these tools cover diverse needs, ensuring users find the right fit.
Elevate your submission process today by trying Submittable—its comprehensive features make it the go-to platform for efficient, multi-sector management.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
Referenced in the comparison table and product reviews above.
