Best Call for Papers Software in 2026
Updated
In short: MeetingHand Abstract Management is ranked #1 of 24 as of 3 October 2026, ahead of Sessionize and Fourwaves. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Sessionize. The lowest first paid tier on this page is SimplyConf at $2.42/mo.
For conferences collecting proposals, call for papers software can support submission, review, and program scheduling workflows. Compare submission types and limits with reviewer limits, blind review, and review stages. A schedule builder can also matter as submissions move through the process; free-plan availability and the “Paid from” detail help you assess cost. MeetingHand Abstract Management, Microsoft CMT, and EasyChair open the ranking, with SimplyConf and Sessionize among the next entries. Weigh the listed workflow features against your event’s submission and review requirements.
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 MeetingHand Abstract Management Top pick · 7.7 Free plan · $4.90/mo
#2 Sessionize Runner-up · 7.7 Free plan · Free
#3 Fourwaves Also great · 7.2 Free plan · $83.25/mo
- Free planFree trial Web
- Free plan
- Yes
- Blind review
- Yes
- Submission types
- mixed
- Review stages
- custom
- Submission limit
- 25 submissions
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms$4.90/mofirst paid tier About MeetingHand Abstract ManagementVisit site - Free planFree trial AndroidiOSWeb
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free plan AndroidapiiOSWeb
- Free plan
- Yes
- Paid from
- 999 /yr
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms$83.25/mofirst paid tier About FourwavesVisit site - Free plan apiLinuxself-hostedWeb
- Free plan
- Yes
- Blind review
- Yes
- Submission types
- mixed
- Review stages
- multi_stage
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free plan self-hostedWeb
- Free plan
- Yes
- Paid from
- 29 /yr
- Blind review
- Yes
- Submission types
- mixed
- Review stages
- custom
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms$2.42/mofirst paid tier About SimplyConfVisit site - Free plan apiWeb
- Free plan
- Yes
- Blind review
- Yes
- Submission types
- mixed
- Review stages
- custom
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free plan AndroidiOSself-hostedWeb
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free plan Web
- Free plan
- Yes
- Blind review
- Yes
- Submission types
- mixed
- Review stages
- custom
- Submission limit
- 20 submissions
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free plan apiself-hostedWeb
- Free plan
- Yes
- Blind review
- Yes
- Submission types
- mixed
- Review stages
- multi_stage
- Submission limit
- 3 submissions
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free plan Web
- Free plan
- Yes
- Blind review
- Yes
- Submission types
- abstracts
- Review stages
- multi_stage
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free plan Web
- Free plan
- Yes
- Blind review
- Yes
- Submission types
- mixed
- Review stages
- custom
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - AndroidiOSWebRecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms
- Web
- Free plan
- Yes
- Submission types
- mixed
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Web
- Free plan
- Yes
- Blind review
- Yes
- Submission types
- mixed
- Review stages
- multi_stage
- Submission limit
- 20 submissions
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Web
- Free plan
- Yes
- Blind review
- Yes
- Submission types
- papers
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Web
- Free plan
- Yes
- Blind review
- Yes
- Submission types
- mixed
- Review stages
- multi_stage
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Web
- Submission types
- mixed
- Review stages
- multi_stage
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - WebRecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms
- Web
- Free plan
- No
- Blind review
- Yes
- Submission types
- mixed
- Review stages
- custom
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Web
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Web
- Free plan
- No
- Blind review
- No
- Submission types
- abstracts
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Web
- Free plan
- No
- Submission types
- abstracts
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Web
- Free plan
- No
- Submission limit
- 100 submissions
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Web
- Free plan
- No
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms
Is your platform 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 The Geeks Club?
MeetingHand Abstract Management is ranked #1 of 24 with a score of 7.7. Sessionize is second and Fourwaves 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 how quickly a newcomer can get going: documentation depth, a free tier or trial, and the platforms it runs on. Paid placements never change a rank.