Kristy Law
- 13 min read
The Best Abstract Management Software for 2026 (A Comparison)
Table of contents
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 2026).
Oxford Abstracts
About
Oxford Abstracts is an academic 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.
Oxford Abstracts has launched their Website Builder, a new and improved Reviewer Assignment Tool, and Submission Analytics in the last year, which have greatly benefited users, both for admins and submitters/attendees.
You can now integrate with other tools, such as Swapcard, EventsAir, and Cvent, and more, to make your academic conferencing life even easier.
For more details, please see the specifications below.
Specifications
Collect submissions, assign reviewers (either manually or via the NEW Reviewer Assignment Tool - allowing you to randomly assign abstracts to a list of reviewers based on the rules you set, saving you time), and make decisions with the easy-to-use and flexible system.
NEW - WEBSITE BUILDER
Create a professional, branded conference website in minutes that anyone can use, and that works perfectly with your Oxford Abstracts content.
SIX pre-built templates for you to use or create your own.
NEW - SUBMISSION ANALYTICS
Find out all the information about where your submitters found your call for abstracts.
Conference Platform
Design and deliver an outstanding conference, alongside creating your own website to host it on, with your academic conference at the core.
Delegate Registration
Integrate and streamline your delegate registration with our system.
Reports and Books
Create custom reports and print-ready abstract books.
Certificates
Full Multi-Stage and Symposia options
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 the 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 four additional one-off payment add-ons (should you need them) - Symposium, Multi-Stage, Certificates and the Website Builder (some of these are already included in the Professional package).
We also offer a free trial to help you get to grips with the software, as well as a completely free package.
Standalone Abstract Management: Yes
Pricing: from £620
Support included: Yes
Free Version: Yes
Ex Ordo
About
Ex Ordo provides a conference management system for the research/academic sector that includes multiple add-ons for running a virtual conference.
From peer reviews and abstract management to delegate registration, the program builder and virtual conferencing, Ex Ordo have an all-encompassing software for academic event organisation.
In 2024, they released a new Panels and Symposia feature dedicated to managing all panel-style content, helping organisers configure multi-speaker sessions within their system. 2025 has seen an overhaul and updated infrastructure to their system, making it more modern, as well as improvements to their abstract management as a whole.
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 is a Canadian company providing an academic and conference management system to the academic world, for both smaller and larger events.
Since 2024, Fourwaves has improved its certificate and peer-review workflows and enhanced the usability of abstract management, including clearer tables, track management support, and submission email requirements.
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 see posters before, during and after an event, and can further discuss these via live video discussions
And more
Reviews state that Fourwaves has an easy-to-use, clean, and concise interface, with participants able to see posters before, during, and after an event and further discuss them via live video discussions.
Fourwaves now has a much-welcomed pricing page, allowing you to view pricing for each of their packages without having to enquire.
Though Fourwaves has predominantly positive reviews, some suggest the software can be confusing to new users, and reviews indicate the user experience could be improved.
Standalone Abstract Management: Yes
Pricing: From $899
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 software to run an event (no matter how big or small), but also offer a range of solutions to help event organisers manage and execute all aspects of event hosting and organisation, including securing hotels.
In 2024 and 2025, Cvent invested in syncing submissions and event data more efficiently, enabling the reuse of project templates/workflows across events and reviewer configurations. They’ve also enhanced their automated email communications built into the review and submission process.
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
Using Cvent may be seen as too expensive for those running a smaller academic event. However, for large events, their on-site solutions, such as venue sourcing, can be very useful for those seeking a provider that offers 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 unclear whether their abstract management software is available as a standalone 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.
2025 has seen Openwater dive deep into the world of artificial intelligence and implement AI into its software. From AI submission analysis and scoring to AI language translation.
A new interface has been launched for easier navigation, supports a mobile-friendly interface, and includes new APIs and reporting capabilities to analyse submissions more deeply.
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 that supports virtual/hybrid/in-person events, abstract collection, ticketing, 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.
As of January 2026, it is unclear whether the software has been updated or if any new features have been developed, as there is no information available.
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 aren't many reviews online about Eventsforce, and the ones that can be found are from 2016, so no 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
Whova
About
Whova is a comprehensive event management platform designed to support the planning and delivery of conferences, meetings, exhibitions, and hybrid or virtual events. It brings together registration, event promotion, attendee engagement tools, a dedicated mobile event app, and powerful backend management features within a single, integrated system.
Though Whova has many strings to its bow, its abstract management system perhaps isn’t as strong as others mentioned; however, it has seen several upgrades and new features added over the last couple of years.
These include: an expanded call for speakers tiers, with advanced review controls. They can integrate with some academic review systems. Custom submission tags and filters have been implemented to streamline workflows. Plus, there has been work on enhancing importing agendas and session scheduling, which is tied to abstract acceptances.
Specifications
Event registration & ticketing
Agenda & session scheduling
Onsite check-in tools
Badge printing & attendance tracking
Attendee networking & messaging
Community boards
Live polls, surveys & Q&A
Event analytics & reporting
CRM & marketing integrations (Zapier & native)
Abstract & call-for-speakers management
Online abstract submission portal
Reviewer assignment & scoring
Unfortunately, you have to enter your event details into a contact form to obtain a price as there is no list of prices for the packages on their website.
In terms of customer reviews, there are only four one-star reviews on TrustPilot stating that the abstract management tool is poor, the event platform can be ‘spammy’, and their customer support is poor.
But on Capterra, there are many positive reviews that highlight both the pros and cons of the system. There are some well-known, everyday, global brands that have used Whova, which may suggest it isn’t wholeheartedly designed just for academic events.
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, ticket sales, virtual meetings and event schedules, peer review, 1-1 messaging and more.
Their target market is event organisers at universities looking for web-based all-in-one event management software.
Since 2024, Dryfta have either launched or updated features such as: Improving bulk download for abstracts and review files, AI-powered plagiarism detection, dedicated reminders for authors and reviewers, added in mandatory reason for authors withdrawing submissions and custom display of review questions to authors.
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, have published some prices on its website. This will provide you with a “base/concrete” amount that you will pay (depending upon which plan you choose).
Many have written positively about the customer support, with reviews indicating that they experienced a steep learning curve in certain areas of the software that weren't particularly intuitive, which may not be for everyone, but once overcome, it appears Dryfta can be a powerful option with many features.
Standalone Abstract Management: Yes
Pricing: Small package from $1499 - other packages, you need to contact the provider
Support included: Yes (get two free training sessions)
Free Version: No - but you can have a free trial of the Small package
Cadmium
About
Cadmium specialises in event technology and learning solutions that produce cloud-based software to allow you to host academic conferences.
Since 2024, Cadmium has updated its system to house four main products. Their core event product, Eventscribe, covers all things you’d expect from an abstract management software.
They also have Elevate - a learning management system for consortia, nonprofits and associations. EthosCE - specialised healthcare and continuing education system, and Warpwire, a video management and streaming platform.
Overall specifications include:
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 Cadmium, which doesn’t help when you’re gathering information to decide who to choose.
Previous reviews have stated that the software can be “little clunky,” and that clearer instructions on how to use it are required.
There doesn’t appear to be an option to integrate registration at this present time.
However, please bear in mind that 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