AbstractWiz vs Brownbag

AbstractWiz is a web platform for academic conference, workshop and event organisers managing abstract submissions and review. Submissions may be plain text, rich text or files; accepted oral submissions can include uploaded papers. Organisers can add fields or criteria to submission and review forms, invite reviewers and assign work based on reviewers’ preferred expertise areas. Reviews can be hidden from authors. Automated email notices and customizable bulk messages to selected user groups support communication. A dashboard tracks submission and review progress, filtered lists can produce reports, and accepted submissions can be compiled into a customizable book for browser printing. Abstracts can be imported and the database exported to a spreadsheet, though the Free plan excludes import. That plan allows up to 20 submissions at free. Standard costs 270.00 USD once per event, with unlimited submissions and all features. A trial event can be created without card details. The maker says AbstractWiz emerged from Stellenbosch University in 2003; an event license runs from creation of the submission instance through the event’s end.

Brownbag is web-based conference-management software for academic research. It combines public conference pages, calls for papers, submissions, peer review, program planning, email, and analytics. Organizers can build pages with headings, images, tabs, and submission blocks. Submission forms can require fields, define file types and deadlines, and collect co-authors; authors can reuse uploaded details across conferences. Review workflows support internal and external reviewers, custom labels, score tracking, and CSV export. Accepted papers can be arranged into sessions, rooms, and time slots, then published for viewing on any device. Organizers can email authors, reviewers, or attendees and schedule messages. Analytics show views, referrers, and devices without a third-party tag. Brownbag describes a ChatGPT connection for organizer and reviewer tasks while carrying its permissions across. Stripe handles Premium upgrades from the dashboard. A help center provides guides for organizers, reviewers, authors, and attendees. Attendee registration is marked “Coming soon.” The Free plan costs nothing, billed per conference, with organizer views capped at 100 submissions. Premium costs $1,000, paid once and provides unlimited submissions in organizer views.