Best Call for Papers Software in 2026
Updated
In short: Fourwaves is ranked #1 of 24 as of 3 October 2026, ahead of ConfTool and HotCRP. The best-ranked option with a free plan is ConfTool. The lowest first paid tier on this page is SimplyConf at $2.42/mo.
When you’re organizing a call for papers, submissions, peer review, and event scheduling all need to fit together. Compare blind-review support, reviewer limits, review stages, and submission types, as well as submission limits and schedule-building tools. Free-plan availability and paid-from details offer additional context for your event’s requirements. Microsoft CMT and EasyChair lead the entries, followed by SimplyConf and MeetingHand Abstract Management; ConfTool and Airballoon are also near the top. Consider the review workflow and submission constraints you need to manage, then use the ranking and listed features to compare the options.
24 call for papers software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
#1 Fourwaves Top pick · 7.1 Free plan · $83.25/mo
#2 ConfTool Runner-up · 7.0 Free plan · Free
#3 HotCRP Also great · 7.0 Free plan · Free- Free plan AndroidapiiOSWeb
- Free plan
- Yes
- Paid from
- 999 /yr
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms$83.25/mofirst paid tier About FourwavesVisit site - Free plan AndroidiOSself-hostedWeb
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan apiLinuxself-hostedWeb
- Free plan
- Yes
- Blind review
- Yes
- Submission types
- mixed
- Review stages
- multi_stage
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free planFree trial Web
- Free plan
- Yes
- Blind review
- Yes
- Submission types
- mixed
- Review stages
- custom
- Submission limit
- 25 submissions
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms$4.90/mofirst paid tier About MeetingHand Abstract ManagementVisit site - Free planFree trial AndroidiOSWeb
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan self-hostedWeb
- Free plan
- Yes
- Paid from
- 29 /yr
- Blind review
- Yes
- Submission types
- mixed
- Review stages
- custom
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms$2.42/mofirst paid tier About SimplyConfVisit site - Free plan apiWeb
- Free plan
- Yes
- Blind review
- Yes
- Submission types
- mixed
- Review stages
- custom
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan Web
- Free plan
- Yes
- Blind review
- Yes
- Submission types
- mixed
- Review stages
- custom
- Submission limit
- 20 submissions
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan apiself-hostedWeb
- Free plan
- Yes
- Blind review
- Yes
- Submission types
- mixed
- Review stages
- multi_stage
- Submission limit
- 3 submissions
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan Web
- Free plan
- Yes
- Blind review
- Yes
- Submission types
- mixed
- Review stages
- custom
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan Web
- Free plan
- Yes
- Blind review
- Yes
- Submission types
- abstracts
- Review stages
- multi_stage
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - AndroidiOSWebRecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms
- Web
- Free plan
- Yes
- Submission types
- mixed
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Web
- Free plan
- Yes
- Blind review
- Yes
- Submission types
- mixed
- Review stages
- multi_stage
- Submission limit
- 20 submissions
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Web
- Free plan
- Yes
- Blind review
- Yes
- Submission types
- papers
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Web
- Free plan
- Yes
- Blind review
- Yes
- Submission types
- mixed
- Review stages
- multi_stage
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Web
- Submission types
- mixed
- Review stages
- multi_stage
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Web
- Free plan
- No
- Blind review
- Yes
- Submission types
- mixed
- Review stages
- custom
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - WebRecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms
- Web
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Web
- Free plan
- No
- Blind review
- No
- Submission types
- abstracts
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Web
- Free plan
- No
- Submission types
- abstracts
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Web
- Free plan
- No
- Submission limit
- 100 submissions
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Web
- Free plan
- No
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which call for papers software is ranked first on Everything Xiaomi?
Fourwaves is ranked #1 of 24 with a score of 7.1. ConfTool is second and HotCRP third.
How many of these have a free plan?
11 of the 24 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, SimplyConf has the lowest first paid tier we found: $2.42/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked on what each maker publishes: documentation depth, a free tier and the platforms it runs on. Paid placements never change a rank.