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SPECIFICTION
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OpenCFP

github.com

Free plan WebLinuxSelf-hosted
Visit github.com
Spec score 8.2 #11 of 28 in Speaker Management Software

What it is

OpenCFP is a free, PHP-based system for collecting conference talk proposals and managing their review. Speakers register with contact information, submit proposals, and manage profiles through a dashboard. Reviewers can view and rate talks, while administrators can review speaker information, favorite proposals, and make selections. Command-line utilities support administration of users and reviewer or administrator groups.

The application sends notifications through configured SMTP settings, and its configuration includes options for OpenCFP Central single sign-on. A Docker Compose file is provided for building and running it in containers. The README lists PHP 7.4 and recommends Apache 2 or later with mod_rewrite and AllowOverride enabled. OpenCFP is listed for Linux, self-hosted, and web use, and costs nothing. The project is in maintenance mode and accepts security fixes only. Setup guidance recommends enabling secure_ssl when possible; it requires a valid SSL certificate. The project also advises protecting collected personal information and deleting database data within 15 months of accepting submissions.

Spec sheet

Purpose
OpenCFP is a PHP-based conference talk submission system.Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
Deployment
The project documents installation on a web server and provides Docker and docker-compose setup instructions.Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
Support
The project README points users to its GitHub wiki for screenshots and to its contributing guide for contribution information.Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
Administration
Command-line utilities support system administration, including managing users and roles.Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
Data retention
The README recommends deleting database data within 15 months of accepting submissions.Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
Download
The README recommends downloading the latest marked release from the project’s GitHub releases page.Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
Email configuration
The application can send system notifications using configured SMTP settings; the README gives Mailgun as an example provider.Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
Email integration
The application sends event notifications through configured SMTP, and the setup guide gives Mailgun as an example provider.Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
Maintenance
The project is in maintenance mode and accepts only security fixes.Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
Privacy guidance
Installers are asked not to share users’ personal information with third parties without explicit permission, and the project recommends deleting instance data within 15 months of accepting submissions.Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
Requirements
The documented minimum requirements include PHP 7.4 and recommend Apache 2+ with mod_rewrite enabled.Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
Review dashboard
Administrators can review submitted talks and make selections through an administrative dashboard.Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
Review roles
Reviewers can view talks and rate them, while administrators can review speaker information, favorite talks, and make selections.Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
Review workflow
An administrative dashboard lets administrators review submitted talks and make selections.Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
Security configuration
The setup guide says to enable secure_ssl if possible and notes that it requires a valid SSL certificate.Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
Single sign-on
The configuration includes settings for OpenCFP Central single sign-on.Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
Speaker registration
It provides speaker registration that gathers contact information.Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
Speaker submissions
Speakers can submit talk proposals and manage their profiles through a dashboard.Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
Talk proposals
Speakers can submit talk proposals and manage their profiles through a dashboard.Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
User administration
Command-line utilities support system administration, including managing users and reviewer or administrator groups.Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com

Plans and prices

OpenCFP Free PHP-based conference talk submission system; self-hosted Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com

Every OpenCFP plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Speaker dashboard supports proposals and profile management.
  • Reviewers can view and rate submitted talks.
  • Notifications use configured SMTP settings.
  • Docker Compose is provided for container deployment.
  • Free plan costs nothing.

Limits

  • Maintenance mode accepts security fixes only.
  • README lists PHP 7.4 and recommends Apache 2 or later.
  • secure_ssl requires a valid SSL certificate.
  • Database data should be deleted within 15 months.

Who it suits

OpenCFP suits conference organizers who want speakers to submit talks and reviewers or administrators to assess them. It is for teams prepared to self-host and work within the project's stated PHP and Apache requirements.

Verdict

OpenCFP covers speaker submissions, review roles, and notifications in a free, self-hosted package. Its maintenance-only status and deployment requirements matter for organizers choosing a system to run.

Where Specifiction places it

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