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SPECIFICTION
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OpenConf

openconf.com

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Spec score 8.0 #8 of 24 in Call for Papers Software

What it is

OpenConf is a system for managing peer review, conferences and abstracts. Organizers can build submission forms from built-in fields or add their own, then assign reviews manually or match submissions and reviewers by topic or bids. Its 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 using OIDC and SAML. Privacy tools include policy links, cookie banners, consent checkboxes, personal-information review 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. Support is included for hosting account and license contacts; Community Edition users receive no support. Community Edition has no listed price and is limited to three or fewer events and journals per calendar year.

Spec sheet

Purpose
OpenConf is a peer-review, conference, and abstract management software system.Read 4 Oct 2026 · openconf.com
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.Read 4 Oct 2026 · openconf.com
Free plan
YesRead 21 Sep 2026 · openconf.com
Integrations
Professional Edition lists IEEE eCopyright, ACM copyright export, and ORCID reviewer credit features.Read 4 Oct 2026 · openconf.com
Privacy
Privacy features include a policy link, cookie banner, consent checkboxes, personal information review, and admin-managed data deletion.Read 4 Oct 2026 · openconf.com
Support
Technical support is included for hosting account contacts and for license contacts; Community Edition users are not provided support.Read 4 Oct 2026 · openconf.com
Company
The site identifies Zakon Group LLC as the owner of the OpenConf registered trademark.Read 4 Oct 2026 · openconf.com
Authentication
The feature list includes passkeys, magic links, and single sign-on using OIDC and SAML.Read 4 Oct 2026 · openconf.com
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.Read 4 Oct 2026 · openconf.com
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.Read 4 Oct 2026 · openconf.com
Proceedings and program
OpenConf supports online proceedings and scheduling accepted submissions into a web program or print booklet.Read 4 Oct 2026 · openconf.com
Review assignment
Reviews can be assigned manually or matched automatically to reviewers and submissions by topic or bids.Read 4 Oct 2026 · openconf.com
Review workflow
The software supports review scoring, acceptance decisions, notifications, and committee discussion.Read 4 Oct 2026 · openconf.com
Submission forms
Users can select from dozens of built-in fields or customize submission forms with their own fields.Read 4 Oct 2026 · openconf.com
Technical requirements
OpenConf 8 requires an HTTP server with TLS/SSL, PHP 7.3 or later, and MySQL 8.0.4 or later.Read 4 Oct 2026 · openconf.com

Plans and prices

Plus Edition $400 a month Standard license; includes 1 year of support and submissions Unlimited submissions · 1 installation Read 21 Sep 2026 · openconf.com
Professional Edition $900 a month Standard license; includes 1 year of support and submissions Unlimited submissions · 1 installation Read 21 Sep 2026 · openconf.com
OpenConf Hosting Service $600 a year Base Price: US$600, includes 1 year of service and support 100 submissions · 10GB storage · Professional Edition · secure (TLS/SSL) connection Read 4 Oct 2026 · openconf.com
Community Edition Free Version 7 available at no cost subject to the OpenConf License 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 $400, paid once Standard License: US$400; includes 1 year of support and submissions One installation · unlimited submissions · one year of support and submissions Read 4 Oct 2026 · openconf.com
Professional Edition Standard License $900, paid once Standard License: US$900; includes 1 year of support and submissions One installation · unlimited submissions · one year of support and submissions Read 4 Oct 2026 · openconf.com

Every OpenConf plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Supports manual and automatic review assignment.
  • Can publish online proceedings and programs.
  • Available self-hosted or through maker-administered hosting.
  • Offers passkeys, magic links, OIDC and SAML.

Limits

  • Community Edition users do not receive support.
  • Community Edition is limited to three or fewer events and journals yearly.
  • OpenConf 8 requires PHP 7.3 or later and MySQL 8.0.4 or later.
  • Hosted data storage is limited to 10GB on the listed plan.

Who it suits

It suits conference and journal organizers who need submission, review and program workflows. Community Edition is described for users able to install and maintain the software themselves.

Verdict

OpenConf covers submission through review and program publication, with self-hosted and hosted options. Check the edition, annual event limit and server requirements against your workflow.

Where Specifiction places it

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