The Best Abstract Management Software for 2024 (A Comparison)

Easily compare which abstract management system is best for your conference.

There are many abstract management software providers on the market, with vastly differing set-ups, packages and features. Many (including Oxford Abstracts) have expanded their product ranges over the last few years to include virtual conference features. As a result, it is increasingly difficult to compare like-with-like in a simple format, so we have done our best in sourcing the information you need.

We've looked at the key players in the abstract management software industry, identified features and trawled through customer feedback to create an comprehensive list of pros and cons to help you compare and decide. We've also included a ballpark cost for approximately 500 submissions (where available), and whether a free version is offered.

(Prices correct as of January 2024).

Oxford Abstracts

About

Oxford Abstracts is a conference management software tailored to academic events. We bring together all the complex elements of setting up and running a research conference into one powerful and easy-to-use tool.

Specifications

• Abstract management

  • Collect submissions, assign reviewers and make decisions with our flexible and easy-to-use system.

• Conference platform

  • Design and deliver an outstanding conference with your academic content at the core.

• Delegate registration

  • Integrate and streamline your delegate registration with our system.

• Report and books

  • Create custom reports and print-ready abstract books.

• Easy to use with a clean and crisp interface

• Free package available

• Transparent pricing

• Mobile friendly - no need to create/download an app

• Easily collect and review abstract submissions and symposia

• All tools you need to host a conference (in-person/hybrid or virtual) in one place

• Fully customisable branding to your requirements

• Support desk included - excellent customer service

• Fully integrated with Zoom

• Incorporates Stripe and PayPal

• Live chat for your event

We have over 400 reviews on Trustpilot with a solid score of 4.9 stars.

Plus, we have clear, transparent pricing that is easy for you to understand, with the option of only two additional one-off payment add-ons (should you need them) - Symposium and Multi-Stage.

We also offer a free trial for you to use to get to grips with the software, as well as a completely free package.

One limitation of Oxford Abstracts is that we do not currently offer an option to create your own event website.

Standalone Abstract Management: Yes

Pricing: from £575

Support included: Yes

Free Version: Yes

Ex Ordo

About

Ex Ordo provides a conference management system for the research/academic sector that encompasses multiple add-ons for running a virtual conference event.

From peer reviews, and abstract management to delegate registration, and the program builder and virtual conferencing, Ex Ordo have an all-encompassing software for academic event organisation.

Specifications

• Collect and review abstracts, track reviewers' progress

• Programme builder for your sessions/conference

• Customisable registration for those attending your virtual conference

• Daily backups

• Support team on hand

• Online payments set up

• Easily message those you need to (e.g. submitters/reviewers)

• Software is PCI compliant and encrypted to keep data safe and secure

• ADD ONS - Mobile App & Book of proceedings template

One of the downsides to Ex Ordo is the lack of transparent pricing. There is no clear way to estimate the cost until you have booked a demo with one of their team.

The software itself is clear, modern and easy to follow.

However, it appears they are mainly focused on hosting virtual events, rather than integrating their software for hybrid or in-person events.

Standalone Abstract Management: No

Pricing: Contact provider

Support included: Yes

Free Version: No

Fourwaves

About

Fourwaves are a Canadian company providing an academic and conference management system to the academic world, for both smaller and larger events.

Specifications:

• Collect and review abstracts

• Peer review whether single, double or blind

• Discussion board

• Host live conference and poster sessions

• Attendee registration

• The ability to publish an event website

• Participants to see posters before, during and after an event, and can further discuss these via live video discussions

• And more

Reviews state how Fourwaves has an easy-to-use interface that is clean and concise, with the nice added bonus of being able to publish your own event website.

Participants can see posters before, during and after an event, and can further discuss these via live video discussions.

Again, like most software companies in this realm, there is no clear pricing page on their website, meaning you have to enquire about their price list and/or have a demo. They don’t appear to have many testimonials about their software from clients which may indicate they are fairly new to the market.

Standalone Abstract Management: Yes

Pricing: From $799

Support included: Yes

Free Version: Yes

CVENT

About

CVENT promotes itself as the “one engagement platform for all your events and audiences”, including virtual, in-person, hybrid and webinars.

If you’re in the “conference” or “event” world chances are you’ve heard of them already. They're a big company in this line of work, with a global presence, covering all sectors from tech and finance to hospitality, higher education, non-profit and more.

They not only provide the software to run an event (no matter how big or small) but also have a number of solutions to help event organisers manage and execute all aspects of event hosting and organisation, including securing hotels for events.

Specifications:

• Event Marketing & Management

  • Venue management

  • Attendee registration

  • Exhibitor management

  • Content management

  • Attendee hub

  • Mobile app

  • Engagement scoring

• Cvent Travel

  • Securing hotels for events

• Sales and productivity tools

• CSN Advertising

• 24/7 Support team & articles to help understand how to work the software

The cost to use Cvent may be seen as too expensive for those who are running a smaller academic event. However, for large events their on-site solutions such as venue sourcing can be very useful for those looking for a provider to help with more than just software.

Cvent reviews suggest that customer service could be improved upon, and customers are not keen on being tied into long-term contracts. It’s also not clear if their abstract management software is available as a stand-alone package.

Standalone Abstract Management: Not clear

Pricing: Contact provider

Support included: Contact provider

Free Version: No

Openwater

About

Openwater is an abstract management and virtual conference software provider, helping event organisers to organise and manage most events from fellowships, to award ceremonies and conferences and conference mobile app, plus more.

Specifications:

• Event Cloud

• Abstract software

• Conference mobile app

• Virtual conference

• Session scheduler

• Conference website

• Reviewer portal

• Awards management

• Customisable branding

• Polls/voting

• Online registration

• Real-time chat

It would appear Openwater’s main focus is on award ceremonies such as scholarships, grants and fellowships rather than simply abstract management, and it has good reviews on Capterra for this aspect of their software, with customer service ranking high.

Like most providers, there isn’t a pricing page on their website and there isn’t an option for you to have a free trial, nor is there a free version of the software available.

Standalone Abstract Management: Yes

Pricing: Contact provider

Support included: Contact provider

Free Version: No

Eventsforce

About

Eventsforce is an event management software solution, incorporating virtual/hybrid/in-person events, abstract collection, ticketing events, and more.

Again, like Cvent they are one of the bigger players within the event and conference sphere.

Their main focus appears to be on larger-scale events and award ceremonies, across all sectors - not primarily academic.

Specifications

• Collect, review and manage abstract submissions

• Attendee registration and ticketing platform

• Virtual conferencing

• Manage awards program - including scoring, selection processes, payments, bookings etc

• Mobile conference app

• In-person event organisation

There isn't many reviews online about Eventsforce, and the ones that can be found are from 2016, so now doubt there have been many updates to the software since then.

What has been said is that this platform is simple to use, has a robust call for papers, and an easy set up.

The downsides included not being great at managing registration for a conference, and suggested perhaps this software isn't ideal for larger events due to it being difficult to make changes easily.

Standalone Abstract Management: No

Pricing: Contact provider

Support included: Contact provider

Free Version: No

Omnipress

About

Omnipress are an American-founded company that focuses on delivering educational content which encompasses conference content, abstract management, association publication and training courses.

A little different from other abstract management software we’ve currently covered, in that they offer alongside academic software printing solutions.

Specifications:

• Collect, review, schedule, and distribute session content, along with speaker material

• Can print and deliver training materials for both in-person and online events

• Abstract management for all academic events including grants and scholarships

• Customisable branding

• Live recording

• Analytics

• Real-time chat

Sadly, Omnipress do not offer a free version or a free trial for you to try, and there is a nominal charge per uploaded file, with a 12-month hosting agreement. It looks as though software support is not included and charged for through an additional flat-fee.

Reviews on Capterra suggest users find their customer support very good and the submission process was relatively easy for authors and reviewers.

Others found the software confusing to use, and some areas where automation would be ideal were not available and information had to be added manually.

Standalone Abstract Management: Yes

Pricing: Contact provider

Support included: Yes

Free Version: No

Dryfta

About

Dryfta allows you to host small and large university events, with their platform that includes: abstract submissions, tickets sales, virtual meetings and event schedules, peer review, 1-1 messaging and more.

Their target market is those looking for a web-based all-in-one event management software for event organisers at universities.

Specifications:

• Web-based all-in-one event management software

• Event CRM

• Abstract Management

• Peer Review

• Event registration

• Website management

• Projects & task management

• Program scheduler

• Online payments

• Event apps (android & iPhone)

• Email marketing. digital marketing & social media

Dryfta unlike many other providers has published prices on its website. This will provide you with a “base/concrete” amount that you will pay (depending upon which plan you choose).

However, there are add on’s that you’re likely to need to include which means the cost will rise. The ‘Pay-As-You-Go’ cost can be quite tricky to predict. Many have written positively about the customer support.

Recent reviews have indicated that they experienced a steep learning curve with certain areas of the software not appearing that intuitive, which may not be for everyone but once overcome, it appears as though Dryfta can be a powerful option with many features.

Standalone Abstract Management: Yes

Pricing: Contact provider

Support included: Yes

Free Version: No

CadmiumCD

About

Cadmium bought X-CD in 2022 and merged to create CadmiumCD.

They specialise in producing software to allow you to host a virtual, hybrid or in-person events and is available as a licensed download or cloud-based SaaS.

Specifications:

• Abstract management

• Event management software

• Attendee engagement platform

• Content production

• Speaker management

• Exhibitor management

• Speaker management

• Booth and sponsor sales

• Event logistics

• Mobile app

• Posters

• Trade show floor plan

• Website

• Data analytics

Pricing isn’t available until you make contact with CadmiumCD which doesn’t help when you’re gathering information to decide who to choose.

Previous reviews have stated the software can be a “little clunky” and clearer instructions on how to use the software are required.

There doesn’t appear to be an option to integrate registration either at this present time.

However, please bear in mind these reviews were left a number of years ago, and currently there aren’t any up-to-date reviews on Capterra for CadmiumCD.

Standalone Abstract Management: Yes

Pricing: Contact provider

Support included: Contact provider

Free Version: No