Academic publishing has evolved rapidly — and managing conference submissions manually is now a thing of the past. From handling abstracts and peer reviews to final paper uploads, conference paper submission software has become essential for organizers, researchers, and reviewers alike.

In this guide, we’ll explore the 10 best conference paper submission software, comparing their key features, usability, and pricing — so you can choose the right one for your academic conference or research project.

Top 10 Conference Paper Submission Software

1. EasyChair

Best for: Large conferences and academic societies
Overview:
EasyChair is one of the most trusted platforms in academia, offering a full-featured system for submission, review, and scheduling. It supports a wide range of academic events, from small workshops to large international conferences. With powerful tools for managing reviewers, automated notifications, and flexible access controls, EasyChair helps organizers streamline complex submission workflows while maintaining fairness and transparency throughout the review process.

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2. Ex Ordo

Best for: Professional conference organizers
Overview:
Ex Ordo provides a beautifully designed, end-to-end solution for abstract management, peer review, and event scheduling. Its intuitive interface allows organizers to manage submissions, reviews, and conference programs all from one dashboard. With built-in communication tools, analytics, and integrations for hybrid or virtual events, Ex Ordo streamlines every step of the conference workflow — from call for papers to the final published program.

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3. OpenConf

Best for: Affordable, flexible conference management
Overview:
OpenConf offers a powerful submission and review system used by thousands of academic events worldwide. It provides a customizable workflow that supports blind reviews, automated notifications, and flexible submission forms tailored to any conference format. Known for its reliability and affordability, OpenConf can be hosted on your own server, giving organizers full control over data and branding.

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4. ConfTool

Best for: Universities and non-profit academic events
Overview:
ConfTool is a well-established system offering submission, reviewing, and participant registration in one platform. It’s designed to handle everything from abstract submission to final scheduling, making it ideal for academic and professional conferences. With robust administrative tools, flexible configuration options, and a multilingual interface, ConfTool ensures smooth coordination for organizers, reviewers, and participants alike.

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5. Microsoft CMT (Conference Management Toolkit)

Best for: Research-intensive conferences
Overview:
Developed by Microsoft Research, CMT is a free, cloud-based tool designed for large-scale conferences. It offers a robust and secure platform that supports complex submission and review workflows, making it ideal for research-heavy academic events. With advanced reviewer assignment algorithms, real-time status tracking, and support for double-blind reviews, CMT ensures smooth coordination between authors, reviewers, and chairs — even in conferences handling thousands of papers.

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6. Morressier

Best for: Virtual and hybrid research events
Overview:
Morressier focuses on early-stage research, offering a platform for submissions, posters, and online presentations. It bridges the gap between conference content and scholarly publishing, helping researchers showcase their work before journal publication. With tools for abstract management, peer review, and digital poster sessions, Morressier provides a modern and engaging experience for both in-person and virtual academic events.

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7. Editorial Manager

Best for: Journal and conference publishers
Overview:
Widely used in academic publishing, Editorial Manager supports submissions, peer review, and production workflows. It offers an end-to-end system that helps editors, reviewers, and authors collaborate efficiently throughout the publishing cycle. With powerful automation tools, configurable workflows, and seamless integration with scholarly databases, it’s a preferred choice for journals and conferences aiming for professional-grade editorial management.

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8. Oxford Abstracts

Best for: Large academic events with complex abstract workflows
Overview:
Oxford Abstracts simplifies abstract collection and review with a flexible, easy-to-use dashboard. It allows organizers to build custom submission forms, manage multiple review stages, and communicate seamlessly with authors and reviewers. The platform also provides real-time tracking of submissions and analytics to ensure a smooth and transparent conference workflow.

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9. Indico

Best for: Open-source, tech-savvy organizers
Overview:
Indico, originally developed at CERN, is an open-source event management tool supporting submissions, reviews, and scheduling. It offers a modular system that lets organizers manage conferences, meetings, and workshops all in one place. With features like automated timetables, participant registration, and integration with video conferencing tools, Indico is perfect for academic institutions and research organizations.

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10. HotCRP

Best for: Computer science and engineering conferences
Overview:
HotCRP is a lightweight, fast, and free system used by major CS and AI conferences. It’s known for its clean interface and efficient workflow that helps reviewers and organizers manage hundreds of submissions effortlessly. The platform supports blind reviews, reviewer discussions, and flexible deadlines, making it ideal for highly technical academic events.

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How to Choose the Right Paper Submission Software

Choosing the right conference paper submission software can save weeks of administrative effort, reduce human error, and improve the author–reviewer experience. Whether you’re running a small workshop or an international academic event, the tools listed above will help you streamline the entire process — from submission to publication.

When selecting a conference paper submission software, consider: