Best Abstract Management Software for High-Volume Submissions

Managing abstract submissions has turned into a real operational workload for academic conferences, research summits, and corporate events, especially as submission volume rises and the review timeline shrinks. Abstract management systems exist for exactly this reason.

Abstract management software in 2026 now includes features such as AI-powered scoring, live collaboration, and built-in plagiarism checks. Features that used to feel premium are becoming a baseline for those who require both quality and speed.

Finding the top abstract management software still takes time and effort. There are many available tools, and they all appear similar until you take a closer look at the workflows. So the research is already done here. Below is a curated list of the top 10 abstract management software for handling calls for proposals, speakers, and abstracts.

What to Look for in Abstract Management Software?

When choosing abstract management software, there are a number of things to take into account. It is useful to understand what features are important at scale before making comparisons.

Here are some things to consider.

Customized Submission Forms

Organizers should be able to use a drag-and-drop form builder to set up submission forms (such as abstracts, symposia, posters, and grants) with varying fields and file types, and conditional logic.

Blind Peer Review Options

All academic and medical conferences need support for blind peer reviews. A good platform will support single-blind, double-blind and triple-blind review processes. In addition, ensure the platform can handle conflicts of interest as well.

Automated and Manual Reviewer Assignment

Manual assignment is a huge bottleneck at high volume. The ideal platforms automatically match reviewers to submissions using keywords or expertise, but also give the option to manually override in edge cases. Look for workload-balancing tools that let you cap the number of abstracts each reviewer receives.

Self-Service Dashboards for Authors and Reviewers

Authors should be able to upload their papers and monitor the status of their submissions without contacting the organizing team. Similarly, reviewers should be able to view the abstracts assigned to them, evaluate them, add comments on those evaluations, and declare potential conflicts of interest involving submitting authors.

Automated Notifications

There are several automatic notification features built into every abstract submission software. Some examples include: confirmation of receipt of submitted abstracts, reminders regarding upcoming deadlines, email notifications regarding acceptance/rejection of abstracts and email notifications regarding required revisions prior to publication. Avoid using manual notifications, as this creates unnecessary complexity and increases the risk of missed notifications.

Abstract to Schedule Conversion

Once an abstract has been accepted, it should flow directly into your scheduling tool rather than being entered manually into yet another tool. This is one of the largest time-saving elements throughout your overall event process.

AI Features

High-end tools commonly leverage AI-powered scoring systems, automated plagiarism detection, and reviewer matching. While not as essential at low volume conferences, these features are critical at very high volumes of submissions.

Analytics and Reporting

Your platform needs to track submission counts by category, reviewer progress, average scores, and decision timelines. It should also measure post-event engagement within your final abstract repository.

Integration with Event Management

The Platform should integrate seamlessly with registration and ticketing tools, scheduling tools, badge printing tools, and the mobile app, so your data flows seamlessly without exporting or importing.

Scalability

Always confirm that the platform has successfully handled events at your expected submission volume. Reviewing real case studies and customer references is much more reliable than trusting claims about features.

How We Selected These Tools?

We chose these specific platforms by looking closely at how well they handle large volumes of research papers.

Our team picked these tools based on the following standards:

• Submission Depth: We evaluated platforms that handle high-volume submissions, not just small local events.
• Real User Reviews: We carefully studied customer feedback and scores on sites like G2 and Capterra.
• Workflow Focus: We separated basic event apps from tools built specifically for grading and review workflows.
• System Value: We assessed the pricing models, system scalability, and third-party data integration features.

Quick Comparison Table

Use this table to compare the top abstract management software platforms at a glance before exploring the detailed reviews below.

The 10 Best Abstract Management Software for High-Volume Submissions

Here is a detailed look at each platform, including who it works best for, what it does well, and where it has limitations.

1. Dryfta

Best For: All-in-one event organizers who want a sophisticated platform that handles abstract submissions, reviews, ticket sales, and program scheduling without skipping a beat.

Overview:

Dryfta is hands down the best abstract submission software on the market, offering an incredibly seamless workspace for event planners. From abstract submissions and peer reviews to registrations and live event coordination, everything is organized.

Key Features:

• Custom Submission Workflows: Create separate forms for different submission types. Set deadlines and submission rules easily.
• Flexible Review Options: Run single-blind, double-blind, or triple-blind reviews based on conference requirements.
• Automated Reviewer Assignments: Match abstracts with reviewers automatically using topics or random assignment rules.
• Submission Controls: Limit co-authors and manage intake for each submission category.
• Author Notifications: Send automatic acceptance and rejection emails to notify authors and co-authors.
• Export Tools: Download abstracts in CSV or PDF format for reporting and documentation.
• Reviewer Discussions: Allow reviewers to discuss submissions before completing final evaluations.
• Multi-File Uploads: Accept PDFs, presentations, videos, and supporting documents.

What’s New in 2026: Recent updates include multi-currency ticket setup, digital signature fields, submission tag filters in acceptance letters, and minimum submission limits for panel submissions.

Limitations:

• Because it gives you so many excellent tools right out of the box, the software provides the most value for teams running a complete conference rather than a basic one.
• The extensive customization settings may feel complex for some organizers.

Pricing: The platform offers flexible pricing plans for organizations of different sizes. The Small plan starts at $1499 per year and includes 100 abstract submissions, unlimited reviews, attendee registration, and online payment collection. Medium and Large plans support higher submission and attendee limits, with custom pricing available through direct quote requests.

2. Oxford Abstracts

Best For: Academic societies and scientific research conferences needing a highly specialized paper submission and peer-review system.

Overview:

Oxford Abstracts is a prominent tool designed explicitly to simplify complex academic calls for papers. Positioned as a user-friendly alternative to many enterprise platforms, it serves university departments and scientific societies worldwide.

Key Features:

• Flexible Submission Forms: Administrators can build highly detailed multi-field forms that allow authors to upload texts, tables, images, and co-author metadata effortlessly.
• Reviewer Matching: Automatically sends incoming papers to the right reviewers based on matching keywords.
• Session Builder: Organizers can group individual accepted abstracts into multi-speaker panels.
• Live Dashboard: View instant charts showing how many papers are submitted and how many reviews are finished.
• Online Program: Publishes finalized abstracts and virtual presentation links into a searchable online conference program.

What’s New in 2026: The platform has rolled out an easier login process for reviewers and added clearer dashboard charts to speed up the setup process.

Limitations:

• You cannot send large marketing campaigns. You will need a separate email tool to promote your event.
• The tool for selling tickets and registering attendees is very simple and lacks advanced options.

Pricing: The Basic plan is free and designed for small events and meetings. The Abstract Management plan costs $890 per event. The Standard Conference package is priced at $2290 per event. For larger and more advanced events, the Professional Conference plan costs $3450 per event.

3. Ex Ordo

Best For: Academic events searching for an end-to-end platform to manage everything from paper reviews to mobile apps.

Overview:

Ex Ordo is one of the best abstract management software built for research-heavy conferences. It is designed to meet strict academic standards while keeping things streamlined and up to date.

Key Features:

• Rigorous Peer Review: Supports double-blind, single-blind, and open-review workflows with conflict-of-interest flagging.
• Session Scheduler: Features an interactive drag-and-drop structural timeline to move accepted abstracts into presentations.
• Linked Registration: Keeps track of which presenters have paid their entry fees before they speak.
• Mobile App: Instantly pushes the final presentation schedule right to attendees’ smartphones via a dedicated mobile app.
• SPIE / Publisher Workflows: Easily export finalized papers directly to top academic journals and libraries.

What’s New in 2026: Ex Ordo now automatically scans uploaded PDFs for names, affiliations, and other identifying details before papers enter review. If the system detects author information on the first page, it flags the file immediately and requires corrections before submission proceeds.

Limitations:

• It is built for research-heavy events, so it lacks features for corporate trade shows like booth maps.
• Due to Ex Ordo’s complexity, it can take some time for beginners to set up the grading rules.

Pricing: You pay a custom yearly fee based on the exact features you need and the number of papers you receive. Request a quote for detailed pricing.

4. OpenWater

Best For: Large organizations and universities that handle thousands of abstract submissions and want AI to help sort them.

Overview:

OpenWater is a platform specialized in high-volume application collections and awards management. It targets large-scale associations that manage intricate scoring. It stands out as one of the best abstract management software for large teams because it connects seamlessly with your existing databases.

Key Features:

• Smart Forms: Create forms that change automatically based on how an applicant answers previous questions.
• OpenWater AI Workflow: Use built-in AI tools to quickly summarize long texts, check formatting, and spot errors.
• AMS / CRM Integration: Connects directly with major business software like Salesforce to keep all user data updated.
• Weighted Scoring: Let judges rate entries on multiple specific criteria with automatic average score calculations.
• Participant Manager: Gives program admins a centralized dashboard to build pre-event task checklists and trigger automated reminders.

What’s New in 2026: OpenWater has launched a redesigned admin interface that is currently available in public beta. Organizers can access the updated UI by adding /admin-beta to their dashboard URL and exploring the feature.

Limitations:

• The sheer scale of its custom features can easily overwhelm small volunteer teams running minor local events.
• The enterprise-grade tools and AI features mean it costs more than basic single-use software.

Pricing: Pricing is completely quote-based.

5. EasyChair

Best For: Computer science, engineering, and technical academic conferences requiring a strict peer review.

Overview:

EasyChair is a well-known tool that has been used by academic organizations for decades. It is highly reliable for standalone scientific events that prioritize data over visuals.

Key Features:

• Reviewer Bidding: Let reviewers look at titles and bid on the exact papers they are qualified to grade.
• Plagiarism Detection: Integrates automated scanning options to check submissions against academic databases for plagiarism.
• Private Chat: Provides a hidden message board where committee members can debate edge-case papers before accepting them.
• Proceeding Builder: Automatically bundles accepted camera-ready papers into journal-ready formats.
• Strict Access Control: Easily set precise permissions so users only see what they are allowed to see.

What’s New in 2026: EasyChair has improved its text display for mobile screens and upgraded its privacy settings to meet modern institutional data privacy compliance standards.

Limitations:

• The interface looks quite dated, which might not appeal to modern corporate event planners.
• It does not come with a mobile app for attendees or virtual video streaming tools.

Pricing: The Professional License uses a pay-as-you-go model at $4.00 per submission with a maximum of 60 submissions, while the Free License supports up to 20 submissions at no cost. Executive License pricing ranges from $3.70 to $7.40 per submission depending on the selected minimum submission tier. For larger conferences, VIP License plans include setup fees between $1,370 and $1,650, with submission pricing starting as low as $6.60 per submission for high-volume events.

6. Reviewr

Best For: Grant managers and contest organizers looking for a visually engaging submission and judging platform.

Overview:

Reviewr is a highly visual platform designed to manage calls for entries, awards, scholarships, and conference abstracts. It focuses on making the submission process streamlined and modern for both authors and reviewers. It is an excellent choice for teams that want a branded experience.

Key Features:

• Submission Portals: Gives users a clean page to track their progress and see what info they still need to submit.
• Split-Screen Grading: Judges can view the submitted PDF on one side of the screen and fill out the scorecard on the other.
• Automated Progress Triggers: Sends automated emails to submitters who have left their applications in an incomplete draft status.
• Custom Branding: Swap in your own colors, fonts, and company logos to make the platform match your website.
• Media Support: Easily accepts high-resolution videos and photo portfolios without slowing down.

What’s New in 2026: Reviewr has added visual progress bars for applicants and made it much easier to export data into spreadsheets.

Limitations:

•  It does not have specialized academic features like double-blind coding or journal publishing tools.
• The platform is built around selections and awards, making it harder to arrange abstracts into a multi-track timeline.

Pricing: Request a quote for pricing.

7. Cvent

Best For: Fortune 500 companies and conventions that need to manage thousands of speakers and huge venues.

Overview:

Cvent is, again, one of the best abstract submission software, built to handle large-scale global conferences. It includes its abstract tool inside a suite of features that manage hotel blocks, check-in kiosks, and badge printing.

Key Features:

• End-to-End Features: Connects abstract selection directly to ticket checkouts and onsite attendee tracking.
• Top-Tier Security: Fully encrypted to meet the highest global data privacy standards for enterprise businesses.
• Session and Room Planner: Manages physical convention center floor maps, linking approved speakers to specific presentation rooms and AV requirements.
• Speaker Portals:  Gives chosen speakers their own login to upload photos and download slide templates.
• Report Builder: Generates financial insights across multiple global events inside a single account.

What’s New in 2026: Cvent now allows organizers to add a “Do Not Sell My Information” option to event page footers. The feature gives attendees a simple way to manage personal data preferences and opt out of information sharing.

Limitations:

• The pricing structure is exceptionally steep for small academic societies or volunteer-run non-profits.
• The system is tricky, so teams usually require certified Cvent specialists to properly configure it.

Pricing: Pricing is typically based on two main components: an annual platform license fee and a per-registrant cost. Request a quote for detailed pricing.

8. Whova

Best For: Mid-sized conferences that want an affordable mobile app to help attendees network and talk to speakers.

Overview:

Whova is an event management platform famous for its highly interactive mobile conference application. It includes a simple speaker collection tool that funnels approved presentations straight onto attendees’ phones.

Key Features:

• Mobile Schedule Integration: Instantly converts approved speaker abstracts into searchable profiles inside the mobile event app.
• Community Board Networking: Features built-in message boards where attendees can ask speakers questions or text each other.
• Call for Speakers: Provides a lightweight online form for collecting speaker profiles, abstracts, bio pictures, and lecture topics.
• Document Sharing: Presenters can upload video summaries and slide decks directly to their session page for users to view.
• Sponsor Scanners: Includes tools for booth sponsors to scan attendee badges and gather contact info with their phones.

What’s New in 2026: Whova has improved its HubSpot integration to simplify attendee management and marketing workflows for organizers.

Limitations:

• The grading system is simple, so it cannot handle complex academic blind-review tracks.
• The form builder lacks the conditional logic found in dedicated research platforms.

Pricing: Request a quote

9. Morressier

Best For: Scientific publishers and early-stage research institutions aiming to track content from abstract to publication.

Overview:

Morressier is a platform designed to protect and publish early-stage scientific research. It goes far beyond standard event planning, Many consider it to be one of the best abstract management software for elite science groups whose primary goal is publishing findings in official journals.

Key Features:

• Integrity Manager: Uses smart tools to check submissions for AI-generated text, fake images, and copied work.
• Direct Proceedings Publishing:  Invites top abstract authors to submit full papers for official conference books or journals.
• Digital Posters: Displays high-resolution scientific posters online with zoomable charts and embedded video clips.
• Persistent Identifier (PID) Indexing: Automatically assigns DOIs to accepted abstracts, ensuring early-stage research is easily discoverable and citable across the web.
• Author Verification: Automatically verifies that listed co-authors actually work at the schools they claim.

What’s New in 2026: Morressier now links author funding history directly within manuscript integrity checks. When previous funding records are detected, the system connects organizers to the related OpenAlex funding data to improve author verification accuracy.

Limitations:

• The platform is built entirely for research which is a bad fit for normal business networking events.
• It does not include standard tools for badge printing or physical venue mapping.

Pricing: The platform offers multiple workflow management solutions, including Abstract Manager, Proceedings Manager, Integrity Manager, and Journal Manager. Pricing is available on request

10. vFairs

Best For: Organizers executing large-scale virtual or hybrid conferences requiring fully immersive 3D environments.

Overview:

vFairs is a famous virtual event platform best known for its custom, animated 3D online spaces. It includes a backend abstract tool so you can collect presentations and then display them beautifully on virtual screens.

Key Features:

• 3D Webinar Halls: Attendees control cartoon avatars to walk around virtual rooms and watch presentations on digital screens.
• Abstract Manager: Tracks speaker applications in a backend panel before launching them online.
• Digital Poster Booths: Allows virtual attendees to browse research poster boards and text chat live with the author.
• Event Games: Keeps attendees awake and moving with virtual scavenger hunts, point leaderboards, and digital badges.
• Onsite Check-In Apps: Provides real-world tools like check-in kiosks and badge printers for the physical side of your event.

What’s New in 2026: vFairs now offers a more unified registration experience for organizers managing multiple events.

Limitations:

• Designing fully custom 3D environments requires several weeks of setup time and design planning.
• The grading tools focus mostly on displaying content rather than running deep academic double-blind tests.

Pricing: Quote-based pricing.

Which Abstract Management Software Is Right for You?

Not every platform is built for the same organizer. Here’s a quick guide to help you match your use case to the right tool.

• If you run academic or research conferences and need abstract management tightly connected to registration, scheduling, and a reviewer workflow, consider Dryfta or Ex Ordo. Learn more on Dryfta’s abstract management page.
• If you are a professional association managing an annual conference with 200 to 2,000 submissions and also need networking and attendee engagement, choose Whova or Dryfta.
• If you run a medical or scientific conference with strict conflict of interest, double blind review, and proceedings export requirements, look at Dryfta, Morressier, or Oxford Abstracts.
• If you run a computer science or academic conference on a very tight budget, EasyChair remains the default free-tier option, though its UX is dated.
• If you are an enterprise team running a global congress with thousands of submissions and complex registration logistics, select Cvent, though budget should be factored in.
• If you need virtual or hybrid abstract management connected to live streaming and virtual attendee engagement, try vFairs or Dryfta.
• If you primarily run awards, fellowship programs, or grant competitions rather than traditional academic conferences, use OpenWater or Reviewr.
• If you are not sure which fits your event, book a free demo with Dryfta and walk through your specific submission volume and review workflow.

Looking for the Best Abstract Management Software for Your Event?

Take the time to review your options and weigh the factors that actually matter for your event. A little extra effort during selection usually saves a lot of time later.

While the top 10 abstract management software solutions listed above each bring their own strengths, one stands out for its more complete approach, and that is Dryfta. It goes beyond streamlining submissions and reviews by giving you flexible configuration options, inbuilt communication tools, and a user-friendly interface that supports your entire event workflow. Request a free demo to see how Dryfta can support your event management process in a more consistent way.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is abstract management software?

Abstract management software helps conferences handle the complete submission and review process for research papers. Organizers can collect abstracts, assign reviewers, manage peer reviews, schedule sessions, and publish proceedings from one centralized system.

2. What is the difference between abstract management software and call for papers software?

Call for papers software mainly focuses on collecting submissions and promoting submission deadlines. Abstract management software includes additional tools for peer review, reviewer scoring, conflict management, scheduling, proceedings management, and communication workflows.

3. What features are most important for high-volume abstract submissions?

High-volume programs require smart automation to prevent administrative delays. Look for robust filtering engines, automated reviewer matching, bulk data editing, plagiarism checkers, and deep data integration.

4. How much does abstract management software cost?

Pricing varies wildly depending on your submission volume and feature requirements. Some providers use per-event pricing, while others offer annual subscriptions or enterprise contracts. Costs typically range from a few thousand dollars per year to custom enterprise pricing for large conferences.

5. Can abstract management software integrate with event registration?

Yes. Many modern platforms integrate abstract management with attendee registration, payment collection, scheduling, speaker management, virtual event tools, and reporting dashboards. Integrated systems reduce manual work and improve workflow efficiency.

6. What is double-blind peer review and how does software support it?

Double-blind peer review is a review process where both authors and reviewers remain anonymous. Abstract management software supports this by hiding author details from reviewers and managing secure review assignments automatically.

7. Which abstract management software is best for academic conferences?

Dryfta is the top choice because it combines abstract submission and review process in a centralized system. For standalone research tracks on a zero-dollar budget, EasyChair is a common alternative.