Best Event Abstract Management Software in 2026
Updated
In short: Indico is ranked #1 of 29 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of Fourwaves and ConfTool. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Fourwaves. The lowest first paid tier on this page is SimplyConf at $2.42/mo.
For an event accepting abstracts, the work can span submissions, review, and what follows a decision. Compare the entries on review workflow, blind review, scoring tools, and author revisions; submission types and poster handling can help you assess fit for the material you accept. Publishing tools, free-plan availability, and paid-from pricing offer additional points to weigh. Indico and ConfTool appear among the first entries, alongside Ex Ordo and Congressio, with Fourwaves also near the top. The ranking provides an order for exploring the options, while the listed criteria let you focus on the parts of the process that matter most for your event.
29 event abstract management software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
Recognised 40% · Phone app 26% · Documented 20% · Free plan 14% of the score
- 1 Indico iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.9Free
- 2 Fourwaves iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.8$83.25/mo
- 3 ConfTool iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.7Free
- 4 Ex Ordo iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.2
- 5 Linklings iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.2 Submission types: multipleReview workflow: customScoring tools: Yes
- 6 OpenWater Grant Management Android only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.1
- 7 Congressio No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.4$40.83/mo Submission types: multipleReview workflow: customScoring tools: Yes
- 8 SimplyConf No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.4$2.42/mo
- 9 EasyChair No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.3Free
- 10 HotCRP No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.3Free
- 11 Oxford Abstracts No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.3Free Submission types: abstracts
- 12 Sciencesconf No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.3Free Submission types: multipleReview workflow: multi_stageScoring tools: Yes
- 13 Microsoft CMT No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.2Free
- 14 Eventact No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.6$210/mo
- 15 PeerSubmit No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.6 Submission types: multipleReview workflow: customScoring tools: Yes
- 16 AMS (Article Management System) No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.5$18.67/mo Submission types: papersScoring tools: Yes
- 17 OpenConf No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.5Free
- 18 START Conference Manager No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.5 Submission types: multipleReview workflow: customScoring tools: Yes
- 19 joyn No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3
- 20 Brownbag No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.2 Submission types: papersScoring tools: Yes
- 21 AbstractWiz No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.1
- 22 CATALYST No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.1
- 23 Congirus No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.1 Submission types: multiple
- 24 Lynk No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.1 Submission types: papers
- 25 OpenReview No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.1
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 event abstract management software is ranked first on Samsung Mobile US Press?
Indico is ranked #1 of 29 with a score of 7.9. Fourwaves is second and ConfTool third.
How many of these have a free plan?
11 of the 25 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 mobile-first: a phone app alongside the web or desktop product, a free tier and the depth of its documentation. Paid placements never change a rank.