Best OpenWater Alternatives for Smarter Event Management

 

OpenWater handles submissions, reviews, and event workflows in one place. Still, many organizers start searching for OpenWater alternatives once their needs grow or shift. Some want better pricing, others want simpler workflows or stronger event tools. There are also teams looking for a more modern interface or deeper customization. If you’re still deciding whether you should go for other OpenWater alternatives, you’ve come to the right place.

This guide breaks down the best OpenWater alternatives available. It will give you information on how these platforms work and where they stand, so you can make a clear decision.

What is OpenWater?

OpenWater is a submission and review management platform designed for awards, scholarships, and conferences. It helps the organizers collect applications, manage judging workflows, and run the programs from a single system. It also supports integration with CRMs and association tools, which makes it popular among large organizations and academic institutions.

Why is Everyone Looking For OpenWater Alternatives?

The platform supports events and conferences through its various tools. However, people are still in search of the best OpenWater alternatives for various reasons.

• • Organizations are looking for better pricing elsewhere. Mainly, smaller teams can benefit from a low-cost platform more than this
  • The interface feels complex for first-time users
  • The flexibility that the platform offers is limited to event-focused cases
  • The setup can take time without proper technical support and knowledge
  • Some users prefer platforms with stronger automation or AI capabilities
  • The customization process often needs additional effort

These factors push organizations to explore software like OpenWater that offers similar functionality with fewer limitations.

Choosing Dryfta as the Best Alternative for Openwater

Dryfta stands out as an OpenWater alternative owing to several advanced features. These features include-

• • All-in-one event management software for events with built-in abstract management and registration systems
  • Built for conferences, associations, and academic events
  • Fully customizable workflows without technical complexity
  • Integrated mobile event apps, networking tools, and analytics
  • Scalable for both small events and large global conferences
  • Dedicated support and faster implementation

Comparison Table- Best OpenWater Alternatives

Feature	Dryfta	OpenWater
Event Management	All-in-one event management	Limited features
Abstract Management	Advanced	Advanced
Pricing	Flexible, small plan starts at $1499	Starts $5100/year
Ease of Use	Simple UI	Moderate learning curve
Customization	High	High but complex
Integrations	Strong	60+ integrations
Mobile App	Included	Limited functionalities

Top Alternatives for OpenWater

Let’s take a closer look at some of the OpenWater alternative platforms that event planners can check out. 

1. Dryfta

Dryfta ranks among the strongest OpenWater alternatives because it combines event management with submission workflows in one platform. It handles abstract submission, registration, ticketing, and attendee engagement without needing third-party tools. It includes features like customization forms, automated review workflows, attendee networking, and analytics dashboards. Event organizers can manage everything from a single dashboard, which reduces operational friction.

The platform works well for conferences, universities, and associations that need both submission and event tools in one place. 

Features

• • Enhanced abstract management supports multi-level peer reviews and simplifies submissions for global contributors.
  • A built-in schedule builder automatically organizes sessions while preventing speaker or room conflicts.
  • The mobile app enables digital check-ins, live updates, and attendee networking during events.
  • A flexible registration system supports multiple ticket types, discount codes, and early-bird pricing.

Pros

• • Designed specifically for academic and conference workflows that many general platforms fail to support.
  • Combines multiple event and submission tools into one system, reducing reliance on external software.
  • Places strong emphasis on data security and privacy, which is critical for research-driven events.

Cons

• • New users may need some time to understand how all the modules connect and function together.

Pricing

Plans start around $1,499 per year, with flexible pricing depending on event size and requirements.

2. Submittable

Submittable focuses on grants, scholarships, and social impact programs. It allows organizations to collect applications, review them, and track outcomes. It offers collaboration tools, reporting, and automation features that help teams manage large volumes of submissions. Submittable has supported tens of thousands of programs globally and processes millions of applications. As one of the OpenWater competitors, it provides a smoother workflow for grant management and funding distribution. 

Features

• • Application management tools allow organizations to collect, review, and track submissions efficiently.
  • Automation features streamline repetitive tasks such as eligibility checks and notifications.
  • Collaboration tools enable teams to review and comment on applications in real time.
  • Reporting dashboards provide insights into program performance and applicant data.

Pros

• • Handles large volumes of submissions without slowing down workflows.
  • Offers strong reporting capabilities for tracking outcomes and funding distribution.
  • Provides a structured system for managing grants and social impact programs.

Cons

• • Does not include event management or attendee engagement tools.
  • Pricing is on the higher side, which may not suit smaller organizations.

Pricing

Plans generally start around $84 per month for base plans, depending on features and usage.

3. Evalato

Evalato works well for awards, contests, and accelerator programs, as one of the prominent OpenWater alternative platforms. It supports multi-language submissions and handles judging workflows with automation. The platform stands out for its clean interface and global usability. Organizations running international competitions often choose Evalato because of its localization features. It offers tools for scoring, jury management, and reporting, making it a solid choice for competitors. 

Features

• • Customizable submission forms allow organizations to collect detailed entries.
  • Automated judging workflows simplify evaluation and scoring processes.
  • Public voting features help increase engagement in contests and awards.
  • Multi-language support enables global participation across different regions.

Pros

• • Offers a clean and modern interface that improves user experience.
  • Supports international competitions with strong localization capabilities.
  • Automates judging workflows, reducing manual effort for organizers.

Cons 

• • Primarily focuses on awards and contests rather than full event management.
  • Limited capabilities for handling registrations or attendee engagement.

Pricing

Plans start at approximately S1,900 per year and go up to S4,900 per year for advanced features.

4. Award Force

Award Force is really good at helping with awards management. It makes things easier by taking care of things like getting entries, judging and making reports. Award Force has some cool features like judging without knowing who did the work, getting scores right away and special boards that show lots of information. Lots of organizations around the world use Award Force to run their award programs in a very organized way. People who use Award Force say it is very easy to use. They get a lot of help from the company. However, Award Force does not have tools to help with things like planning events, getting people to sign up or keeping people interested in the event.

Features

• • Entry management tools allow easy collection and organization of submissions.
  • Blind judging ensures fairness by removing identifying details during evaluation.
  • Real-time scoring systems provide instant feedback and rankings.
  • Analytics dashboards offer insights into judging outcomes and program performance.

Pros

• • Simple interface makes it easy for both organizers and judges to use.
  • Provides strong support and onboarding for new users.
  • Delivers structured workflows that improve efficiency in awards programs.

Cons

• • Does not support event registration or attendee engagement features.
  • Reporting customization options are somewhat limited.

Pricing

Plans start around $2,900 and can go up to $5800 depending on features. There is also custom pricing that you can get as per your needs.

5. Whova

Whova provides a system to manage events. This system also helps with managing abstracts and submissions for events. It has useful features such as event apps, ways for attendees to network with each other, tools to manage the agenda and tools for exhibitors. A lot of event organizers like Whova because it does everything they need so they do not have to use different tools. Whova is especially good for events, like conferences and trade shows.

Features

• • Event apps provide attendees with schedules, updates, and networking tools.
  • Agenda management tools help organizers create and manage event sessions.
  • Networking features allow attendees to connect through messaging and meetups.
  • Exhibitor and sponsor tools support virtual booths and engagement tracking.

Pros

• • Strong focus on attendee engagement through mobile-first features.
  • Provides an all-in-one event management solution for conferences and trade shows.
  • Supports in-person, virtual, and hybrid event formats.

Cons

• • Pricing is not publicly available and requires a custom quote.
  • The interface can feel complex for first-time users.

Pricing

It follows a custom pricing based on your event needs.

Summing Up

When you are trying to pick a platform, you have to think about what you need the most. If you are looking for something to help you with grants or awards, then tools like Submittable or Award Force are great choices. If you want a system that can handle everything, like abstract submissions and attendee networking, then you need something that can do all of that.

If you are planning an event or dealing with a huge volume of abstract submissions, do not settle for something that’s not good enough. You should book a demo with Dryfta today and see how it can make event planning easier. 

FAQs

What are the best alternatives to OpenWater Mobile?

Top openwater alternatives include platforms like Dryfta, Submittable, Evalato, Award Force, and Whova. Each of these tools serves a different purpose depending on your needs. Some focus on event management, while others specialize in awards or submission workflows, giving users flexibility to choose what fits best.

Why should I consider alternatives to OpenWater Mobile?

You may want to explore openwater alternatives if you are looking for better pricing, simpler workflows, or more advanced event management features. Some platforms offer improved user interfaces, faster setup, or stronger automation tools, which can make managing submissions, events, or applications more efficient and less time-consuming.

Are there free alternatives to OpenWater Mobile?

Some openwater alternative platforms offer limited free plans or trial versions that allow users to test basic features before committing to a paid plan. However, most full-featured platforms require a subscription, especially if you need advanced tools like automation, integrations, or large-scale submission management.

Which alternative to OpenWater Mobile is best for small businesses?

Submittable works well for smaller teams with growing needs because it offers structured workflows and easy-to-use tools for managing applications and reviews. It allows organizations to handle submissions, collaboration, and reporting without relying on overly complex systems, making it a practical choice for teams that want efficiency along with scalability.

Which OpenWater Mobile alternative is best for enterprises?

Dryfta and Submittable scale effectively for large organizations because they can handle high volumes of submissions, complex workflows, and multiple users. These platforms offer strong customization, automation, and reporting capabilities, which makes them suitable for enterprises managing large events, grants, or global programs.

Do OpenWater Mobile alternatives support mobile apps?

Yes, several openwater alternatives support mobile apps, including platforms like Dryfta and Whova. These apps allow attendees and organizers to access schedules, network with participants, receive updates, and manage event activities directly from their phones, improving overall engagement and user experience.