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Fourwaves

fourwaves.com

From $83.25/mo Free plan WebmacOSiOSAndroidAPI
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Spec score 9.2 #1 of 34 in Event Scheduling Software

What it is

Fourwaves is a conference management service for academic and scientific events, covering abstract submissions, peer review, registration, event websites, programs and attendee apps. Submission forms can support calls for papers and abstracts, and organizers can export abstract books with author indexes. Review workflows offer single- or double-blind processes, reviewer conflict detection and custom scoring grids. Its iOS and Android app includes the event program, personal agenda, participant list and presentation materials, and works offline. An API with organization-specific keys provides endpoints for event, registration, form, submission and session data. The free Starter plan costs nothing and caps yearly submissions at 25. Essential costs $999 a year with a 100-submission limit; Advanced costs $2,599 a year with a 300-submission limit. Each lists a 3% service fee. When a yearly cap is reached, new submissions pause until an upgrade, though existing submissions, registrations and event websites remain accessible. The company describes its audience as research communities, universities, scientific societies and research networks.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Fourwaves manages academic conferences, including abstracts, peer review, registration, event websites, programs and conference apps.Read 30 Sep 2026 · fourwaves.com
Product
Fourwaves is a cloud conference-management platform for academic and scientific events covering submissions, peer review, registration, websites, programs and an attendee app.Read 15 Oct 2026 · fourwaves.com
Audience
The company describes its users as academic and scientific research communities, including universities, scientific societies and research networks.Read 30 Sep 2026 · fourwaves.com
Integrations
The product publicly documents payment integrations including Stripe, PayPal, Moneris, TouchNet, Global Payments, Authorize.net and Worldline/Bambora.Read 15 Oct 2026 · fourwaves.com
Security
The privacy policy states that personal data is encrypted at rest and protected by security measures proportionate to the data's sensitivity.Read 30 Sep 2026 · fourwaves.com
Support
The pricing page lists AI, chat and email support on Starter and an onboarding call on Advanced.Read 30 Sep 2026 · fourwaves.com
Headquarters
Québec, Québec, CanadaRead 28 Sep 2026 · fourwaves.com
Founded
2012Read 28 Sep 2026 · fourwaves.com
Abstract management
Organizers can collect abstracts and other presentation proposals through configurable submission forms.Read 15 Oct 2026 · fourwaves.com
Abstracts
Submission forms support conference formats including calls for papers and abstracts, and abstract books can be exported with an author index.Read 30 Sep 2026 · fourwaves.com
API administration
Only organization administrators can create API keys, and Fourwaves recommends separate keys for each connected service.Read 15 Oct 2026 · help.fourwaves.com
API authentication
The public REST API uses organization API keys supplied in an x-api-key header.Read 15 Oct 2026 · api.fourwaves.com
API client libraries
The API reference offers generated examples or clients for shell, Ruby, Node.js, PHP and Python.Read 15 Oct 2026 · api.fourwaves.com
API rate limit
API usage is limited to 100 requests per minute for each organization.Read 15 Oct 2026 · api.fourwaves.com
App system requirement
The Apple listing requires iOS 16.6 or later and lists macOS 13.5 or later on an Apple M1-or-newer Mac.Read 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Company facts
LinkedIn lists Fourwaves as founded in 2012, headquartered in Montréal, Québec, and employing 11–50 people.Read 15 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com
Company history
Fourwaves says four PhD students in bioinformatics created the service in Canada in 2012 to simplify symposium logistics.Read 30 Sep 2026 · fourwaves.com
Company legal entity
The privacy policy identifies the operator as Les Technologies Informatiques Fourwaves Inc.Read 15 Oct 2026 · fourwaves.com
Conference app
The native app for iOS and Android provides schedules, personal agendas, abstracts, presentation files and participant directories, with offline access.Read 15 Oct 2026 · fourwaves.com
Data protection
Fourwaves' data processing agreement identifies GDPR, UK GDPR, PIPEDA and CCPA among applicable data protection laws and describes safeguards for personal data processing.Read 30 Sep 2026 · fourwaves.com
Data retention
Unless the customer directs otherwise, event data is retained for 12 months after the event and may be deleted after six months of account inactivity.Read 15 Oct 2026 · fourwaves.com
Event website
Users can build branded event websites without coding and connect a domain they own on the Pro plan.Read 15 Oct 2026 · fourwaves.com
Fees and caps
Starter, Essential and Advanced cap yearly abstract submissions at 25, 100 and 300 respectively; the pricing page lists a 3% service fee for those plans.Read 30 Sep 2026 · fourwaves.com
Google Play listing
The Android app listing shows at least 100 downloads and declares no data shared with third parties and no data collected.Read 15 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
Limit: customization
A G2 reviewer wanted more flexibility for form and website customization, while another wanted multiple judging tracks or prizes.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Limit: pricing escalation
A G2 reviewer reports steep cost increases when moving to more advanced capabilities.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Limit: search and exports
Software Advice feedback says search across submissions, reviews and reviewers can be weak enough to require exporting and merging spreadsheets.Read 15 Oct 2026 · softwareadvice.com
Limit: setup complexity
G2 feedback says aligning dates and times on the event website takes effort and that organizing abstracts by type or review status can be confusing.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Notable news: October 14, 2026
The changelog records dashboard additions for submissions and registrations, event unpublishing, alphabetical tracks and a direct-messaging avatar fix.Read 15 Oct 2026 · fourwaves.com
Notable news: September 17, 2026
Fourwaves launched yearly submission-limit plans with unlimited events, replacing its previous per-event limits and add-ons.Read 15 Oct 2026 · fourwaves.com
Payment gateways
The help center lists Stripe, PayPal, Global Payments, TouchNet, Moneris, Worldline (Bambora) and Authorize.net as payment gateway providers.Read 30 Sep 2026 · help.fourwaves.com
Peer review
The peer-review module supports reviewer workflows connected to submissions and conference-program decisions.Read 15 Oct 2026 · fourwaves.com
Plan cap behavior
When the yearly submission cap is reached, Fourwaves pauses new submissions until the organization upgrades, while existing submissions, registrations and event websites remain accessible.Read 30 Sep 2026 · fourwaves.com
Praise: academic workflow fit
Independent reviewers praise the combination of abstract management, peer review, registration and scheduling for scientific meetings.Read 15 Oct 2026 · getapp.com
Praise: usability and support
G2 reviewers repeatedly describe the interface as intuitive and customer support as fast, responsive and helpful.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Privacy compliance
The data-processing agreement references GDPR, UK GDPR, PIPEDA and California privacy law obligations.Read 15 Oct 2026 · fourwaves.com
Program builder
The program tools organize sessions, rooms, presentations, tracks and speaker information for public schedules.Read 15 Oct 2026 · fourwaves.com
Rating on Apple App Store
4.2 out of 5 from 5 ratingsRead 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Rating on Capterra
5.0 out of 5 from 25 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · capterra.com
Rating on G2
4.8 out of 5 from 60 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Rating on GetApp
5.0 out of 5 from 25 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · getapp.com
Rating on Trustpilot
4.2 out of 5 from 6 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · trustpilot.com
Registration and payments
Registration forms support priced options, multiple currencies and payment gateways such as Stripe, PayPal, Moneris, TouchNet and Global Payments.Read 15 Oct 2026 · fourwaves.com
Security measures
Its terms commit to commercially reasonable technical and organizational safeguards against unauthorized disclosure, alteration or destruction of customer data.Read 15 Oct 2026 · fourwaves.com
Support and documentation
Fourwaves provides a searchable Help Center with setup articles, configuration guides and API-key instructions.Read 15 Oct 2026 · help.fourwaves.com
Virtual poster sessions
Virtual poster halls combine uploaded posters with live video conversations and asynchronous questions.Read 15 Oct 2026 · fourwaves.com

Plans and prices

Starter Free $0 USD / year 25 abstract submissions / year · Unlimited registrations · Unlimited events · 3% service fee Read 30 Sep 2026 · fourwaves.com
Starter Free $0 USD / year unlimited registrations · unlimited events · 25 abstract submissions / year · branded event website · conference app · event program · AI, chat and email support Read 15 Oct 2026 · fourwaves.com
Essential $999 a year $999 USD / year unlimited registrations · unlimited events · 100 abstract submissions / year · badge generator · email communications · confirmation emails · website content blocks Read 15 Oct 2026 · fourwaves.com
Advanced $2,599 a year $2,599 USD / year unlimited registrations · unlimited events · 300 abstract submissions / year · peer review · unlimited website pages · certificates generator · onboarding call Read 15 Oct 2026 · fourwaves.com
Pro Priced on request Custom pricing unlimited registrations · custom event count · custom submission volume · tracks management · event-specific admins · white label · custom domain · dedicated account manager Read 15 Oct 2026 · fourwaves.com

Every Fourwaves plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Supports single- and double-blind review.
  • Reviewers' conflicts can be detected.
  • Mobile conference app works offline.
  • Unlimited registrations and events on listed plans.
  • API covers event and submission data.

Limits

  • Starter caps yearly submissions at 25.
  • Essential and Advanced list a 3% service fee.
  • New submissions pause at the plan cap.

Who it suits

Fourwaves suits academic and scientific research communities organizing conferences, including universities, scientific societies and research networks. It is particularly relevant to organizers managing submissions and peer review as well as registration and attendee materials.

Fourwaves in depth

Read the full write-up

Fourwaves is conference-management software for academic and scientific events, particularly those that need formal abstract review alongside attendee services. Its strength is the span from submissions to the conference program; organizers should weigh the yearly submission ceilings and 3% service fee against that breadth.

Overview

Built for universities, scientific societies and research networks, Fourwaves brings submissions, peer review, registration, event websites and programs into one service. It also supports session tracks, room scheduling, speaker management and hybrid events. The company says four PhD students in bioinformatics founded it in Canada in 2012 to simplify symposium logistics.

This joined-up scope suits research conferences that want submission and event operations under one roof. The plan structure is less accommodating for a growing submission pipeline: reaching a yearly cap pauses new submissions until the organization upgrades, though existing submissions, registrations and event websites remain accessible.

Key features

Abstracts and peer review

Submission forms support calls for papers and abstracts, and organizers can export abstract books with an author index. Single- and double-blind review, reviewer conflict detection and custom scoring grids make the review workflow useful for events with structured evaluation and conflict-management needs.

Program and attendee app

The iOS and Android app gives attendees an event program, personal agenda, participant list and presentation materials, with offline operation. That is a meaningful practical advantage at venues where connectivity may be unreliable. Room scheduling, session tracks and speaker management help organizers coordinate the program as well.

Integrations, payments and data protection

The API uses organization-specific keys and has endpoints for event, registration, form, submission and session data. Payment gateways include Stripe, PayPal, Global Payments, TouchNet, Moneris, Worldline (Bambora) and Authorize.net, giving organizers several payment-provider options.

Fourwaves says personal data is encrypted at rest and protected by safeguards proportionate to its sensitivity. Its data processing agreement identifies GDPR, UK GDPR, PIPEDA and CCPA among applicable laws and describes safeguards for processing personal data.

Pricing

Fourwaves is freemium. Starter costs nothing (billed $0 USD / year) and includes 25 abstract submissions per year, unlimited registrations and events, and a 3% service fee. It is a sensible entry point for a small conference, but the 25-submission ceiling can interrupt intake if demand exceeds the allowance.

Essential costs $999 a year (billed $999 USD / year), raises the allowance to 100 submissions per year, and retains unlimited registrations and events and the 3% service fee. It fits organizers with a moderate submission volume who can budget for annual billing.

Advanced costs $2,599 a year (billed $2,599 USD / year), allowing 300 submissions per year with unlimited registrations and events and the same 3% service fee. Its onboarding call and AI, chat and email support on Starter are relevant support provisions; the higher cap is the practical reason to choose Advanced for a larger review workload.

Pro has custom pricing, with a custom number of events, submission volume and service fee. It is the tier to consider when fixed caps or the standard fee do not fit an organization’s requirements. For Starter, Essential and Advanced, the 3% fee and cap-triggered pause on new submissions are important operating costs and constraints, not incidental details.

Platforms

Fourwaves is available on web and through an API, with attendee apps for Android and iOS. The app’s offline support is useful for conference attendees, while the API supports organizations connecting event and submission data to their workflows.

Who it's for

Fourwaves is best suited to academic and scientific event organizers who need a formal review process as well as registration and attendee-facing conference tools. Its unlimited event and registration allowances on the named annual plans are helpful for organizations managing multiple events, but each of those plans still has a yearly submission cap. A conference with a high or unpredictable volume should account for the pause on new submissions or seek custom terms.

Pros and cons

Pros: Abstract collection, blinded review options, conflict detection and scoring grids support a complete research-submission workflow.

Pros: Unlimited registrations and events on Starter, Essential and Advanced let organizers run events without those counts consuming the plan allowance.

Pros: Offline-capable iOS and Android apps provide the program, agenda, participant list and presentation materials.

Cons: Starter, Essential and Advanced stop accepting new submissions at 25, 100 and 300 submissions per year respectively until the organization upgrades.

Cons: Those three plans carry a 3% service fee, which organizers should include in event budgeting.

Alternatives

For organizers comparing the broader Event Abstract Management Software category, Fourwaves is one option for combining submission and conference operations. The Speaker Management Software, Call for Papers Software and Event Scheduling Software lists are useful starting points when one of those tasks is the main priority.

Eventact is a paid alternative with a free trial and Android, iOS, API and web platforms; consider it if those platform options or trial access matter to your evaluation.

Congressio offers a free plan with one active event, 100 submissions and three team seats, plus forms, review, decisions, program and email; it may suit a smaller event needing a no-cost starting point.

AbstractWiz has a free per-event plan capped at 20 submissions and a 270.00 USD per-event Standard plan with unlimited submissions and all features; choose it when per-event pricing and submission volume are central considerations.

Indico is free, open-source and self-hosted, making it an option for organizations seeking self-hosted software.

ConfTool offers a free license on request for smaller non-commercial events up to 150 participants, with local installation and no support; it may fit that narrower event profile.

HotCRP is another alternative.

SimplyConf has a free Core plan with unlimited events, submissions and users, and may appeal to organizers prioritizing those uncapped quantities.

OpenConf is another alternative.

Verdict

Choose Fourwaves if your academic or scientific conference needs structured abstract review, registration and attendee tools in a single service. The offline mobile app and broad workflow are compelling; look elsewhere or seek custom terms if a 3% fee or submission caps could disrupt your intake.

Verdict

Fourwaves brings submission workflows and attendee-facing conference tools together, with a free plan and clearly tiered yearly submission caps. Organizers should account for the 3% listed service fee and the pause on new submissions when a cap is reached.

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to FourwavesAll alternatives →