HotCRP vs Oxford Abstracts

HotCRP manages conference paper submissions and reviews, either as open-source software for self-hosting or through the hosted HotCRP.com service. Submission tools include customizable forms, optional registration, program-committee conflict collection, and configurable PDF checks. Papers can be assigned by hand, in batches, or automatically, including through globally optimal assignments. Search, sorting, bulk downloads, formulas, and tags help organize submissions. Review workflows support custom forms, LaTeX math, multiple rounds, offline reviewing, delegation, and external reviewers. Program committee meeting tools include rebuttals, votes, rankings, a live tracker, decision types, and mailing users. The REST API uses bearer tokens that can be scoped, including for read-only access or selected papers. HotCRP.com connects with ACM publication services for copyright forms, final versions, PDF checks, proceedings, and Digital Library export. Self-hosting requires a web server and software including Nginx, PHP 7.3 or higher, MariaDB, and PHP packages. Listed free plans serve certain sponsored events and classroom use; independent conferences pay $7.50 per submission after the deadline.

Oxford Abstracts is web software for managing academic conference submissions, reviews, decisions, and events. Organisers can build customized submission forms, assign reviewers by category or group, and track reviewer progress while reviewers’ changes save automatically. Scheduled emails can be tailored for reviewers and submitters. The free Basic plan includes unlimited submissions, review and decisions, event ticketing, reviewer tracking, customizable forms, and emails. The Abstract Management plan costs $890/event and adds custom emails, fully customizable forms, detailed reports, instant abstract books, and optional add-ons. The Conference plan costs $2,290/event and adds a live conference platform, program builder, attendee networking, on-demand and live content, and an interactive poster gallery. Ticketing integrates with Stripe and PayPal. Online programs are accessible from any device. Oxford Abstracts lists onboarding support, free video calls, tutorials, and a knowledge base. It is headquartered in Acharacle, United Kingdom, and hosts data on UK-based Amazon Web Services servers.