OpenConf
What it is
OpenConf is a peer-review, conference, and abstract management system for collecting submissions and running review workflows. Organizers can build forms using dozens of built-in fields or add their own, then assign reviews manually or match reviewers and submissions by topic or bids. The workflow includes scoring, acceptance decisions, notifications, and committee discussion. Accepted submissions can be scheduled into a web program or print booklet, and proceedings can be published online. OpenConf can be installed on a customer's server or used through a hosting service administered by the maker. Authentication options include passkeys, magic links, and single sign-on with OIDC or SAML; privacy features include consent checkboxes and administrator-managed data deletion. Professional Edition lists IEEE eCopyright, ACM copyright export, and ORCID reviewer credit features. OpenConf 8 requires an HTTP server with TLS/SSL, PHP 7.3 or later, and MySQL 8.0.4 or later. Community Edition is limited to three or fewer events and journals per calendar year, and its users do not receive support. Paid options include standard licenses from $400, paid once and hosting from $600 a year.
For and against
For
- Supports manual and topic- or bid-based review matching.
- Includes scoring, decisions, notifications, and committee discussion.
- Offers self-hosted and maker-administered hosting options.
- Supports passkeys, magic links, OIDC, and SAML.
Against
- Community Edition is limited to three or fewer events and journals yearly.
- Community Edition users do not receive support.
- OpenConf 8 requires PHP 7.3 or later and MySQL 8.0.4 or later.
The verdict
OpenConf covers submission, review, and program workflows, with both self-hosting and administered hosting available. Check the Community Edition event limit, support terms, and technical requirements when choosing an option.
Who it suits
OpenConf may suit conference and journal organizers who need submission forms, reviewer assignment, and program scheduling. Community Edition is described for users who can install and maintain the software themselves and need basic workflows.
Plans and prices
Plus Edition
Unlimited submissions · 1 installation
Read 21 Sep 2026 · openconf.com
Professional Edition
Unlimited submissions · 1 installation
Read 21 Sep 2026 · openconf.com
OpenConf Hosting Service
100 submissions · 10GB storage · Professional Edition · secure (TLS/SSL) connection
Read 4 Oct 2026 · openconf.com
Community Edition
Up to 3 events and journals per calendar year · no support · self-installed · restrictions on paid related services
Read 4 Oct 2026 · openconf.com
Plus Edition Standard License
One installation · unlimited submissions · one year of support and submissions
Read 4 Oct 2026 · openconf.com
Professional Edition Standard License
One installation · unlimited submissions · one year of support and submissions
Read 4 Oct 2026 · openconf.com
On the record
- Authentication
- The feature list includes passkeys, magic links, and single sign-on using OIDC and SAML.openconf.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Company
- The site identifies Zakon Group LLC as the owner of the OpenConf registered trademark.openconf.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Hosting and self-hosting
- OpenConf can be licensed for installation on the customer's server or used through its hosting service, where the maker administers the software.openconf.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Hosting security
- The hosting price includes a secure TLS/SSL connection; the maker says hosted customer data is backed up hourly on- and off-site.openconf.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Professional Edition lists IEEE eCopyright, ACM copyright export, and ORCID reviewer credit features.openconf.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The maker describes the Community Edition as an option for users who need basic submission, review, acceptance, and notification and can install and maintain it themselves.openconf.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- Privacy features include a policy link, cookie banner, consent checkboxes, personal information review, and admin-managed data deletion.openconf.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Proceedings and program
- OpenConf supports online proceedings and scheduling accepted submissions into a web program or print booklet.openconf.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- OpenConf is a peer-review, conference, and abstract management software system.openconf.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Review assignment
- Reviews can be assigned manually or matched automatically to reviewers and submissions by topic or bids.openconf.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Review workflow
- The software supports review scoring, acceptance decisions, notifications, and committee discussion.openconf.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Submission forms
- Users can select from dozens of built-in fields or customize submission forms with their own fields.openconf.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- Technical support is included for hosting account contacts and for license contacts; Community Edition users are not provided support.openconf.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Technical requirements
- OpenConf 8 requires an HTTP server with TLS/SSL, PHP 7.3 or later, and MySQL 8.0.4 or later.openconf.com · read 4 Oct 2026
