--- title: 'Conference management software for academic events - Fourwaves' description: 'Rated 4.9/5 by 81 organizers. Run abstracts, peer review, registration, your event website, program and conference app in one platform.' url: https://fourwaves.com/ lang: 'en-US' --- # Conference management software for research organizations Run your entire conference from one place: abstracts, peer review, registration, event website and program. [Book a demo](https://fourwaves.com/book-a-demo/) [See how it works](#modules-hub) 4.9/5 81 reviews on [G2](https://www.g2.com/products/fourwaves/reviews) and [Capterra](https://www.capterra.com/p/237345/Fourwaves/) ![Conference schedule with parallel sessions in Fourwaves](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/schedule.CCZvFpGd_Txuc.png) ![Event website module](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/event-website.B93fw3-T_Z1NgMwP.png) ![Peer review scoring criteria in Fourwaves](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/review.Bv7k4A_G_MTHnO.png) ![Peer review module](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/peer-review.D3vixMU0_Z1juji2.png) ![Abstract submission form in Fourwaves](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/submission-form.D72THzpp_ey7W1.png) ![Submissions module](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/submissions.DVrwDQ8s_Z1MA1zf.png) **Trusted by top organizations** ![University of Bristol Logo](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/university_of_bristol_logo.BjXFMtTP_2qg2Ut.webp) ![NASA Logo](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/nasa.bRTf6098_DdY0c.webp) ![Concordia University Logo](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/concordia.aUOHsBXD_ZFLisW.webp) ![University of Ottawa Logo](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/uottawa.C5v4XfxD_2hpgCl.webp) ![University of Toronto Logo](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/utoronto.D00AiMWj_1bnVgG.webp) ![BASF Logo](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/basf.HdR4tnsp_62ckb.webp) ![Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Logo](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/mskcc.DHzXZbJ1_Z1GNMGs.webp) ![Université de Sherbrooke Logo](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/udes.Bn43fIsW_ZMJWBX.webp) ![Columbia University Medical Center Logo](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/columbia-copie.DQkkT3TD_Z10Kq0i.webp) ![Logo UQAM](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/uqam-logo.CTBJ-c4Q_1ION3n.webp) ![Mit](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/mit.i5tquPd6_Z2bHbF.svg) ![Stanford](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/stanford.Qog_ODV3_Z1c5Jhk.svg) ![Nih](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/nih.DmFEHKKS_s72Cq.svg) ![Uppsala Universitet Logo](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/uppsala.CITm-v7J_Z1mLTqM.webp) ![Chusj](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/chusj.DVe_JIQj_2mdxvG.webp) ![Mount Royal University Logo](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/mru_1c_logo_rev_trans_png.DqaZS0bq_1JlRzX.webp) ![Centre de recherche du CHUM Logo](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/crchum.Bt4GybG__1g7At7.webp) ![Berkeley Lab Logo](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/lbl_masterbrand_tagline.B2CIrQaY_Eo9Gn.webp) ![University of Bristol Logo](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/university_of_bristol_logo.BjXFMtTP_2qg2Ut.webp) ![NASA Logo](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/nasa.bRTf6098_DdY0c.webp) ![Concordia University Logo](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/concordia.aUOHsBXD_ZFLisW.webp) ![University of Ottawa Logo](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/uottawa.C5v4XfxD_2hpgCl.webp) ![University of Toronto Logo](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/utoronto.D00AiMWj_1bnVgG.webp) ![BASF Logo](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/basf.HdR4tnsp_62ckb.webp) ![Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Logo](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/mskcc.DHzXZbJ1_Z1GNMGs.webp) ![Université de Sherbrooke Logo](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/udes.Bn43fIsW_ZMJWBX.webp) ![Columbia University Medical Center Logo](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/columbia-copie.DQkkT3TD_Z10Kq0i.webp) ![Logo UQAM](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/uqam-logo.CTBJ-c4Q_1ION3n.webp) ![Mit](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/mit.i5tquPd6_Z2bHbF.svg) ![Stanford](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/stanford.Qog_ODV3_Z1c5Jhk.svg) ![Nih](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/nih.DmFEHKKS_s72Cq.svg) ![Uppsala Universitet Logo](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/uppsala.CITm-v7J_Z1mLTqM.webp) ![Chusj](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/chusj.DVe_JIQj_2mdxvG.webp) ![Mount Royal University Logo](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/mru_1c_logo_rev_trans_png.DqaZS0bq_1JlRzX.webp) ![Centre de recherche du CHUM Logo](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/crchum.Bt4GybG__1g7At7.webp) ![Berkeley Lab Logo](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/lbl_masterbrand_tagline.B2CIrQaY_Eo9Gn.webp) ![University of Bristol Logo](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/university_of_bristol_logo.BjXFMtTP_2qg2Ut.webp) ![NASA Logo](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/nasa.bRTf6098_DdY0c.webp) ![Concordia University Logo](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/concordia.aUOHsBXD_ZFLisW.webp) ![University of Ottawa Logo](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/uottawa.C5v4XfxD_2hpgCl.webp) ![University of Toronto Logo](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/utoronto.D00AiMWj_1bnVgG.webp) ![BASF Logo](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/basf.HdR4tnsp_62ckb.webp) ![Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Logo](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/mskcc.DHzXZbJ1_Z1GNMGs.webp) ![Université de Sherbrooke Logo](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/udes.Bn43fIsW_ZMJWBX.webp) ![Columbia University Medical Center Logo](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/columbia-copie.DQkkT3TD_Z10Kq0i.webp) ![Logo UQAM](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/uqam-logo.CTBJ-c4Q_1ION3n.webp) ![Mit](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/mit.i5tquPd6_Z2bHbF.svg) ![Stanford](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/stanford.Qog_ODV3_Z1c5Jhk.svg) ![Nih](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/nih.DmFEHKKS_s72Cq.svg) ![Uppsala Universitet Logo](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/uppsala.CITm-v7J_Z1mLTqM.webp) ![Chusj](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/chusj.DVe_JIQj_2mdxvG.webp) ![Mount Royal University Logo](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/mru_1c_logo_rev_trans_png.DqaZS0bq_1JlRzX.webp) ![Centre de recherche du CHUM Logo](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/crchum.Bt4GybG__1g7At7.webp) ![Berkeley Lab Logo](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/lbl_masterbrand_tagline.B2CIrQaY_Eo9Gn.webp) ## Conference chaos, made effortless. ![Before](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/before.DgO2XZxx_c5bcc.webp) Before ![After](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/after.DVgpI5Wh_Z1J0C9W.webp) After ### Everything in so many places? Run event registration, abstract submission, peer review, and your event website from one platform instead of five tools and a master spreadsheet. ### Drowning in manual work? Automate abstract formatting, reviewer assignment, and the booklet, so your time goes into the program, not the copy-paste. ### Attendee experience falling flat? Give attendees a polished website, program, and registration experience that does your science justice. ## Your entire conference, finally connected in one platform. ![Fourwaves Logo](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/fourwaves-light-sq.lUfLzDb3_Z29cXbV.png) Abstract management Peer-reviews Registration & payments Website builder Conference program Mobile app Virtual platform ### Abstract management High-quality content starts with organized submissions. - Flexible submission forms for any conference format - One form for your call for papers and abstracts - Export a book of abstracts complete with an author index [Explore abstract management](https://fourwaves.com/abstract-management-software/) ![submission-form](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/submission-form.DoB513N5_11O6wA.png) ### Peer-reviews Confident decisions with clear, structured reviewer feedback. - Single and double-blind review workflows - Conflict of interest detection when assigning reviewers - Custom scoring grids and clear reviewer feedback [Explore peer review](https://fourwaves.com/peer-review-software/) ![review-form](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/review-form.BAUebrzV_1KThR6.png) ### Registration & payments Stress-free event registration for organizers and attendees. - Fully customizable forms with a drag and drop builder - Secure online payments in multiple currencies - Print ready name badges, plus presenter and participant certificates - Custom Excel reports and an open API to connect your CRM [Explore registration & payments](https://fourwaves.com/event-registration/) ![registration](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/registration.vsI2C6Oh_14M7wT.png) ### Website builder A professional website to attract attendees and sponsors. - Build a branded event website without writing code - Public participant directory so attendees can connect - Q&A on your event pages to field attendee questions [Explore the event website builder](https://fourwaves.com/event-website/) ![home-page](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/home-page.CTbj98ou_yrXf0.png) ### Conference program A dynamic program that’s always up-to-date. - Create sessions and assign rooms, presentations, and speakers - Link each session to its live stream for hybrid days - A public program attendees can browse by day and track [Explore the conference program](https://fourwaves.com/conference-program/) ![schedule](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/schedule.D1aNmLXo_Zeczlz.png) ### Fourwaves Conference App The conference app attendees use to browse the program, build their agenda and view posters. - Full event program with a personal agenda on every phone - Abstracts, posters and participant profiles at their fingertips - Works offline, with schedule and room changes synced automatically ![mobile-app-1920x1080-en-grande-taille](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/mobile-app-1920x1080-en-grande-taille.BY1dv5WN_2s5llw.jpg) ### Virtual platform Livestreams, interactive posters, and networking for meaningful connections. - A standout virtual poster experience for remote attendees - Run virtual conferences, hybrid events, or in-person days with a virtual component - Live networking that keeps virtual attendees engaged [Explore virtual poster sessions](https://fourwaves.com/virtual-poster-sessions/) ![virtual-poster-session](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/virtual-poster-session.BaMHcwul_17ScWX.png) Included on every plan ## A second set of eyes on your entire event The Event Assistant works quietly in the background, reviewing your website, settings, payments, and forms. It flags misconfigurations, missing translations, and typos, and surfaces clear suggestions to improve your setup before attendees ever see it, so you can focus on the event. Keeps watch over - Website - Settings - Payments - Forms - Data Event Assistant 5 areas reviewed - Critical Registration form This question asks attendees to pick several options, but it is set to a single choice. - Warning Event website Your French page still mentions the 2024 edition while the rest says 2026. - Suggestion Call for abstracts Possible typo in your instructions: “submissoin” should likely be “submission”. **Trusted by organizers, recognized as a leader** From student symposiums to national congresses, research communities run their entire event on Fourwaves. ![G2 badge: Leader, Event Registration & Ticketing, Summer 2026](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/leader.E5mMIpHm_1QXUhP.svg)![G2 badge: High Performer, Event Management, Summer 2026](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/high-performer.Bx4m634Y_1QXUhP.svg) ![G2 badge: Best Support, Event Management, Summer 2026](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/best-support.wuN2sioT_1QXUhP.svg) ![G2 badge: Best Estimated ROI, Small Business, Summer 2026](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/best-estimated-roi.CFrpw7O8_1QXUhP.svg) Rated 4.9/5 from 81 reviews on [G2](https://www.g2.com/products/fourwaves/reviews) and [Capterra](https://www.capterra.com/p/237345/Fourwaves/) 1,600+ Events per year 1,300+ Research organizations 58 Countries 99.9% Uptime 98%+ Organizer satisfaction 5 min Median support response 2012 Founded ## What organizers say after switching See how universities and scientific societies run smoother, more impactful academic conferences with Fourwaves. ![Office of Research, University of Florida College of Medicine logo](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/u-florida.DheILRJJ_Z1esJ1e.webp) The Fourwaves platform has centralized everything into one convenient location, both for organizers and attendees. Our team is able to efficiently review posters submitted by investigators and make them public to view on the day of the event. ![Todd Barnash - Office of Research, University of Florida College of Medicine](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/todd-barnash.sCGwMYXD_ZznBQj.webp) **Todd Barnash** Office of Research, University of Florida College of Medicine ![University of Wisconsin Milwaukee logo](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/mccs.BYqxkwor_Z1iM1Xy.webp) Fourwaves truly felt like a one-stop shop for everything we needed. It made attracting people and organizing our event more efficient than we could have imagined. ![Dr. Karyn Frick - University of Wisconsin Milwaukee](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/karyn-frick.D7zX-9Se_Z1fjjXe.webp) **Dr. Karyn Frick** University of Wisconsin Milwaukee ![Michigan State University](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/logo.BWSawNCi_Z1boWuT.webp) We decided to return MXR to Fourwaves, and I recommended it for Meaningful Play, because it's the only one-stop-shop for conference organizing with a reasonable price tag. It helps us avoid needing a separate paper competition management system and registration system. ![Rabindra Ratan - Professor and AT&T Endowed Chair, Department of Media & Information, Michigan State University](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/rabindra-ratan.B5SKsv-B_26gMtD.webp) **Rabindra Ratan** Professor and AT&T Endowed Chair, Department of Media & Information, Michigan State University ![UT Austin Logo](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/ut-austin.Duj5uELs_22XW1n.webp) Fourwaves is a game-changer. It simplified event management with an intuitive interface, making everything easy for participants and admins. ![Maggie Rigney - College of Natural Sciences, UT Austin](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/maggie-rigney.COxirgim_FNKp7.webp) **Maggie Rigney** College of Natural Sciences, UT Austin ![EPIP](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/epip.CMItw0o8_1HwTgv.webp) Fourwaves made it possible to manage the conference largely on my own, without pulling academics into logistics. ![Dr. Courtney Marsh-Rosseel - University of Antwerp](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/dr-courtney-marsh-rosseel.CGAAHewA_Z5VpM0.webp) **Dr. Courtney Marsh-Rosseel** University of Antwerp ![Acadia University logo](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/gac.HKEndjJ8_2aEBAC.webp) The ability to centralize everything has been a game changer for us. Our process is finally streamlined. ![Dr. Deanne van Rooyen - Acadia University](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/deeanne.251Bdg_i_ZBIg6V.webp) **Dr. Deanne van Rooyen** Acadia University ![Harvard Medical School logo](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/harvard.CvHocG0U_Z1mABLk.svg) The platform is easy to use, reasonably priced and the support team is very helpful. We faced no technical challenges at all. Fourwaves is a pleasure to work with! ![Randy Gollub, MD, PhD - Harvard Medical School](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/randy.DwR8zMoO_PurYn.webp) **Randy Gollub, MD, PhD** Harvard Medical School ![CHU Sainte-Justine logo](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/chu-sainte-justine.l7eyExiJ_Z18raNi.webp) Fourwaves is indispensable to our operations for nearly 80 events per year. The platform is easy to use, fast, well-structured, enhancing our reputation. ![Viki Bernard - CHU Sainte-Justine](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/vikibr-sept2023-final.0XqaV3DZ_28ghKf.webp) **Viki Bernard** CHU Sainte-Justine ![University of Manitoba and the Canadian Society of Microbiologists logo](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/csm-scm.T8Cz-YvR_ZYA2ik.webp) Fourwaves simplified all aspects of our event management, from abstracts to registrations — saving us time and improving the participant experience. ![Dr. Denice Bay - University of Manitoba and the Canadian Society of Microbiologists](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/dr-denice-bay-e1701446439473.DpUyvmUB_Z1L9Sns.webp) **Dr. Denice Bay** University of Manitoba and the Canadian Society of Microbiologists [See all testimonials](https://fourwaves.com/wall-of-love/) A note from our founder ## More than conference software: a mission to help research communities thrive Fourwaves started during my PhD, when I was organizing conferences the way most organizers still do: registration in one tool, abstracts by email, and a spreadsheet holding it all together. I built a small website to simplify my own events. Colleagues asked to use it for theirs, and it spread from lab to lab. Today our team supports research communities in 58 countries, and the goal hasn’t changed: give organizers their time back, and give researchers a stage to share science the world hasn’t read yet. The best compliment we hear? Attendees rave about the conference and never notice the software. ![Matthieu Chartier, PhD](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/matthieu-chartier.DdroaXK5_DWe89.webp) Matthieu Chartier, PhD Founder & CEO, Fourwaves [Read our mission and story](https://fourwaves.com/about-us/) ## Security & compliance Fourwaves is built with strong security, trusted data protection, payment security, and end-to-end accessibility, giving organizers and institutions complete peace of mind. ### Data privacy Your data is protected under strict privacy practices aligned with GDPR and major North American standards. ### Payment security Your payments follow strict PCI-aligned security standards used by trusted global payment providers. ### Institutional trust Your team benefits from a platform trusted by top universities and academic institutions for secure and reliable event management. ### Built for accessibility Your event follows modern accessibility standards and works smoothly with leading assistive technologies. ## Frequently asked questions ### What is conference management software? Conference management software (also called a conference management system or conference management platform) is what academic conferences and scientific events use to run the whole event in one place: collecting abstract submissions, managing peer review, building the program, opening event registration and payments, and publishing an event website. It replaces the patchwork of spreadsheets, forms, and email that event organizers otherwise stitch together. Fourwaves is academic conference management software built specifically for research conferences, so the submission, review, registration, and website pieces are connected from the start rather than bolted on afterward. Generic event management software handles logistics like ticket sales well, but academic events also need the scholarly workflow. ### What features should conference management software have? The key features of good conference management software cover the full event lifecycle: a call for papers and abstract submission, peer review, a program and session builder, event registration with online payments, and an event website. Academic conferences should also look for capabilities that generic event management tools skip: double-blind peer review, conflict of interest detection, a book of abstracts, and virtual poster sessions. For virtual conferences and hybrid events, add livestreamed virtual sessions and attendee engagement features that keep virtual attendees connected. Fourwaves brings all of these together in one connected platform built for research events, so event planning stays in one place from the call for abstracts to the final program. ### What is Fourwaves? Fourwaves is a leading conference management software platform designed specifically for academic and scientific communities. It streamlines the whole lifecycle of conferences with integrated abstract management, customizable peer review workflows (double-blind or open), and registration with payments. It’s focused on facilitating exchange for in-person events and also supports virtual formats including engaging virtual poster sessions to ensure global research accessibility. Trusted by thousands of events every year, it also partners with universities in Canada and the US, and the list keeps growing. ### What makes Fourwaves different from other event platforms? Most platforms are outdated or built for business conferences. Fourwaves is purpose-built for research: abstract management, peer review, posters, programs, scientific sessions, and engagement tools tailored to academic workflows. ### What is the Event Assistant? The Event Assistant is Fourwaves’ AI-powered review tool, included free on every plan, that checks your event before you publish it. It combines artificial intelligence with built-in rules to scan your event website, settings, payments, and registration and abstract submission forms, then flags misconfigurations, missing translations, inconsistencies, and typos. Results are grouped by severity (critical issues, warnings, and suggestions) so you can fix what matters first. It runs automatically every time you publish your event and keeps improving over time. ### How much does Fourwaves cost? Fourwaves offers flexible annual plans designed to scale with your organization. You can start for free with unlimited events (a service fee applies only to credit card transactions). Our paid annual tiers include the Essential Plan ($899 USD) for up to 100 abstracts, the Advanced Plan ($1,799 USD) for 200 abstracts and a full event website, and the Pro Plan ($5,000 USD) for complex, multi-track events with custom domains. For PCOs, university departments, or institutions managing a high volume of events, we provide customized pricing and tailored packages to meet specific structural needs. All plans include unlimited registrations. ### Can I manage everything in one place? Yes. Abstract submission, peer review, event registration, payments, your event website, program builder, virtual platform, and analytics: the entire event lifecycle under one roof, whether you run one meeting a year or multiple events. ### Is Fourwaves easy to use for organizers, reviewers, and participants? Absolutely. Fourwaves is known for its clean, intuitive interface. Reviewers, students, presenters, and admins can use it instantly with minimal training. ### Is my data secure and compliant (GDPR, FERPA, Loi 25, etc.)? Yes. Fourwaves follows strict data protection standards and complies with GDPR, FERPA-aligned practices, and major North American privacy laws. Payment data is processed through PCI-certified providers like Stripe. ### Can the platform handle large events with many submissions and tracks? Yes. Fourwaves supports multi-track events, multiple committees, hundreds of reviewers, and thousands of submissions — with robust workflows and role-based permissions. ### How fast is customer support? Our median response time is under 10mins. Organizers consistently highlight our fast, knowledgeable support team in their testimonials. ### Do I need coding or technical skills? Not at all. Fourwaves includes a drag-and-drop website builder, automated workflows, and templates suited for non-technical scientific organizers. Plan your event ## How many participants are you expecting? Answer two quick questions and we’ll show you the fastest way to bring your event to life. Under 100 100–500 500–1000 1,000+ Takes 20 seconds. No credit card.