--- title: 'Peer review software for academic conferences - Fourwaves' description: 'Rated 4.9/5 by 86 organizers. Custom review forms, single or double-blind review, automatic reviewer assignment and decisions emailed to authors.' url: https://fourwaves.com/peer-review-software/ lang: 'en-US' --- # Peer-review software built for academic conferences Save time on your peer review process with intelligent, intuitive software that your reviewers will enjoy, fully integrated with your conference workflow. [Create your event](https://dashboard.fourwaves.com/get-started) [Book a demo](https://fourwaves.com/book-a-demo/) ![](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/peer-review.D9dPTUxT_Z24XIAC.webp) **Trusted by top organizations** ![AAS](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/aas.2NPcg0EW_ZFNmYv.webp) ![CSM SCM](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/csm-scm.T8Cz-YvR_ZYA2ik.webp) ![Nasa](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/nasa.B7q7eAvH_1wNGoa.webp) ![U Florida](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/u-florida.DheILRJJ_Z1esJ1e.webp) ![U Texas](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/u-texas.Mv3pd0jM_Z204bzs.webp) ![U Toronto](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/u-toronto.jolqeAQo_Ze8vbn.webp) ![NIH](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/nih.BIyTqvYV_j0XoT.webp) ![IAGLR](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/iaglr.DsgDLocB_2dystp.webp) ![Boston Medical](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/boston-medical.Ds_thDx6_STbiH.webp) ![Chu Sainte Justine](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/chu-sainte-justine.l7eyExiJ_Z18raNi.webp) ![Mcgill](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/mcgill.D8ZCD-9I_Z1UIGW9.webp) ![SCAS SCSA](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/scas-scsa.BXicOU2L_ZMqTMM.webp) ![U Montreal](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/u-montreal.BWMWht_V_Z2q6Cee.webp) ![Yale](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/yale.DPyQKNyW_PRh0z.webp) ![U Sherbrooke](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/u-sherbrooke.lU5khcDA_28yCud.webp) ![Stanford](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/stanford.CUgH2YTU_ZW8iwK.webp) ![MSC SMC](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/msc-smc.U-W6fpl0_ZxjCIY.webp) ![Chum](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/chum.DxnhMbrC_2vKvVu.webp) ![AAS](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/aas.2NPcg0EW_ZFNmYv.webp) ![CSM SCM](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/csm-scm.T8Cz-YvR_ZYA2ik.webp) ![Nasa](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/nasa.B7q7eAvH_1wNGoa.webp) ![U Florida](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/u-florida.DheILRJJ_Z1esJ1e.webp) ![U Texas](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/u-texas.Mv3pd0jM_Z204bzs.webp) ![U Toronto](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/u-toronto.jolqeAQo_Ze8vbn.webp) ![NIH](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/nih.BIyTqvYV_j0XoT.webp) ![IAGLR](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/iaglr.DsgDLocB_2dystp.webp) ![Boston Medical](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/boston-medical.Ds_thDx6_STbiH.webp) ![Chu Sainte Justine](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/chu-sainte-justine.l7eyExiJ_Z18raNi.webp) ![Mcgill](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/mcgill.D8ZCD-9I_Z1UIGW9.webp) ![SCAS SCSA](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/scas-scsa.BXicOU2L_ZMqTMM.webp) ![U Montreal](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/u-montreal.BWMWht_V_Z2q6Cee.webp) ![Yale](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/yale.DPyQKNyW_PRh0z.webp) ![U Sherbrooke](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/u-sherbrooke.lU5khcDA_28yCud.webp) ![Stanford](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/stanford.CUgH2YTU_ZW8iwK.webp) ![MSC SMC](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/msc-smc.U-W6fpl0_ZxjCIY.webp) ![Chum](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/chum.DxnhMbrC_2vKvVu.webp) ![AAS](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/aas.2NPcg0EW_ZFNmYv.webp) ![CSM SCM](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/csm-scm.T8Cz-YvR_ZYA2ik.webp) ![Nasa](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/nasa.B7q7eAvH_1wNGoa.webp) ![U Florida](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/u-florida.DheILRJJ_Z1esJ1e.webp) ![U Texas](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/u-texas.Mv3pd0jM_Z204bzs.webp) ![U Toronto](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/u-toronto.jolqeAQo_Ze8vbn.webp) ![NIH](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/nih.BIyTqvYV_j0XoT.webp) ![IAGLR](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/iaglr.DsgDLocB_2dystp.webp) ![Boston Medical](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/boston-medical.Ds_thDx6_STbiH.webp) ![Chu Sainte Justine](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/chu-sainte-justine.l7eyExiJ_Z18raNi.webp) ![Mcgill](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/mcgill.D8ZCD-9I_Z1UIGW9.webp) ![SCAS SCSA](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/scas-scsa.BXicOU2L_ZMqTMM.webp) ![U Montreal](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/u-montreal.BWMWht_V_Z2q6Cee.webp) ![Yale](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/yale.DPyQKNyW_PRh0z.webp) ![U Sherbrooke](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/u-sherbrooke.lU5khcDA_28yCud.webp) ![Stanford](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/stanford.CUgH2YTU_ZW8iwK.webp) ![MSC SMC](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/msc-smc.U-W6fpl0_ZxjCIY.webp) ![Chum](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/chum.DxnhMbrC_2vKvVu.webp) ## Take the complexity out of peer review management ### Adapt it to your context Make no compromise with highly customizable forms, single/double-blind options, data visibility settings and revision flows. ### Automate your workflow Avoid tedious manipulations with intelligent reviewer assignments, simple feedback sharing and built-in program builder. ### Meet your deadlines Stay on schedule with real-time tracking of the review progress, the ability to make adjustments along the way and email reminders. ## Flexible evaluation workflows Use customizable scoring forms with qualitative and quantitative questions, ensuring data driven decisions. [See it in action](https://dashboard.fourwaves.com/get-started) ![Peer review evaluation form in Fourwaves](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/peer-review-form.B6kgN1bq_VtgqG.png) ## Smart reviewer assignment Automatically or manually distribute submissions based on custom criteria and ensure fair distribution. [See it in action](https://dashboard.fourwaves.com/get-started) ![Reviewer assignment screen in Fourwaves](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/peer-review-reviewers.DkvJxVyj_1gAIN8.png) ## Structured feedback & decision management Aggregate scores, filter by presentation type, and easily finalize decisions while maintaining transparency for authors. [See it in action](https://dashboard.fourwaves.com/get-started) ![Review feedback and decision management in Fourwaves](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/peer-review-feedback.BGrWnJFy_Z1VJlU4.png) ## Something for everyone I’m an organizer I’m a reviewer I’m a program chair I’m an author ### Total control, zero chaos Assign, track, and manage peer reviews effortlessly, all in one place. - Create custom criteria and scoring - Automatically or manually assign submissions - Track real-time reviewer progress and send reminders - Easily manage the author revision process ![review-organizer](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/review-organizer.CrLfHik6_1dFgsI.png) ### Effortless reviewing Access assigned submissions, provide feedback, and track deadlines in one place. - Access your assigned submissions easily - See the submission and the reviewing form side-by-side - Provide feedback easily with clear structured forms - Track your progress and deadlines ![review-reviewer](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/abstract-reviewer.DDYxdrLQ_rq2rq.png) ### Seamless decision-making Access review outcomes, finalize decisions, and build sessions effortlessly. - View consolidated reviewer feedback in a single dashboard - Accept or reject submissions based on clear scoring - Send acceptance or rejection notifications - Oversee the final program and group accepted work into sessions ![review-chair](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/review-chair.KxYtzdQc_1UGJEO.png) ### Transparent & efficient feedback Easily submit, track, and receive structured feedback on your work. - Submit work in multiple formats (Text, Word, PDF, PPT, etc.) - Track submission status in real time - Receive structured, actionable reviewer feedback ![review-author](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/review-author.CaimMpyN_ZLXvw5.png) ## Powerful features, simple execution Discover key features that enhance your peer review workflows, ensuring a structured, friction-free process for everyone. ### Customizable forms Tailor your reviewing forms to your needs with qualitative and quantitative fields. ### Blind review options Reduce bias and ensure anonymity with single- or double-blind settings. ### Automated assignments Batch assign reviewers to submissions based on custom constraints. ### Communicate decisions Contact authors to ask for revisions or notify them of acceptance and next steps. ### Collaborative feedback Decide which reviewer feedback authors can see, if any. ### Easy revisions Share files with tracked changes from reviewers to authors automatically. ### Unlimited reviewers Scale with no reviewer limits, making it easy to accommodate more team members. ### Track-specific committee Allocate specific tracks to committee members so they focus on content within their area of expertise. ### Easy data export & insights Download reviews, scores, and decisions in multiple formats. ### Build your program Create sessions and build your program with the top scored submissions. ### Export your proceedings Export accepted abstracts in a Word document including images and submission information. ## Generic platforms don't get it. We do. Unlike generic event software, we know what academic events need and we've built-it to save you the extra work. [Create your event](https://dashboard.fourwaves.com/get-started) [Book a demo](https://fourwaves.com/book-a-demo/) ![Submission list with reviewer assignments and review status in Fourwaves](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/abstract-management.BNYiurPf_Z2ktFFQ.png) ### Smarter assignments Prevent conflicts and manual work with automated reviewer assignments and specialized committees by track. ### Specialized to academics Built specifically for research-focused events, you won't need to make dreadful compromises. ### All-in-one conference software Streamline your whole conference management with integrated registration, conference program and website. ## Transform your peer review process ### Without Fourwaves - Workdays lost due to manual assignements - Inconsistent feedback due to unstructured reviews - Frustrated reviewers - Wasted time running after spreadsheets - Missed deadlines that delay your planning - Non-registered speakers impossible to find ### With Fourwaves - A smart and automated reviewer assignment engine - Standardized, structured feedback for clarity - Happy reviewers - Centralized data, always up to date - Deadlines met, stress reduced - Every speaker is registered and easy to track ## What is peer review software for conferences? Peer review software for conferences is the tool a program committee uses to evaluate abstract submissions before a scientific meeting: assigning each abstract to reviewers, collecting scores and comments on a review form, comparing results, and recording accept or reject decisions. It is also called abstract peer review software, academic peer review software, a conference review system, or peer review management software. Journals use similar tools for manuscripts, but conference peer review runs on a deadline of weeks, not months, and usually feeds directly into the conference program. Fourwaves peer review software is built for academic and scientific conferences and connects to the same platform that collects the [abstract submissions](https://fourwaves.com/abstract-management-software/), registers the participants, and publishes the program. A committee that reviews 30 posters for a research day and a committee that reviews 2,000 abstracts across parallel tracks use the same workflow. The [Microscopical Society of Canada](https://fourwaves.com/customer-stories/microscopical-society-of-canada/) has run its annual meeting’s abstracts and peer review on Fourwaves since 2019, and a single organizer handled [EPIP 2025](https://fourwaves.com/customer-stories/epip-academic-conference-management/) with more than 200 submissions and close to 30 reviewers. ## How the peer review process works in Fourwaves 1. **Build the review form.** Add scoring questions on any scale (out of 5, out of 10, or your own rubric), multiple-choice criteria, free-text comments for the program chair, and file uploads so reviewers can return an annotated Word document. Reviewers see the submission and the review form side by side. 2. **Choose the blind review setting.** Single-blind review hides reviewer names from authors. Double-blind review also hides author names and affiliations from reviewers. Both are possible on Fourwaves. 3. **Assign reviewers.** The assignment engine distributes submissions to reviewers automatically, based on the target number of reviews per abstract and the topics each reviewer covers, and never assigns a reviewer to a submission they co-authored. You can adjust any assignment by hand, and track-specific committees keep reviewers inside their area of expertise. There is no limit on the number of reviewers and you can set a reviewer workload. 4. **Track progress and send reminders.** A dashboard shows which reviews are complete, which are late, and which reviewers need a reminder email before the deadline. Organizers can easily communicate with reviewers with pending assignments. 5. **Decide and notify authors.** Scores are aggregated per submission and filterable by presentation type or track. Record decisions, then email authors their acceptance, rejection, or revision request in bulk, with next steps. You choose which parts of the review, if any, authors can read from their own dashboard. 6. **Handle revisions and build the program.** Authors can upload a revised file with tracked changes and edit their submission. Accepted abstracts flow into the [conference program](https://fourwaves.com/conference-program/) builder and the book of abstracts export. ## Can you run conference peer review for free? Peer review can be run for free with a do-it-yourself workflow: collect abstracts through a submission form (Fourwaves or a generic form builder), export an abstract booklet in Word format with the information you need, assign reviewers by hand, and gather scores in a shared document. This works for a single-track event with one committee and a few dozen abstracts. It becomes harder to manage once you need conflict-of-interest safeguards, to automate assignments, to send reminders, or when you have a lot of submissions and reviewers because score tally becomes manual work. That is the point where organizers use a paid version with the peer review module rather than lose committee weekends to spreadsheets. Comparing tools first? See [Fourwaves vs EasyChair](https://fourwaves.com/blog/fourwaves-vs-easychair/), [Fourwaves vs Ex Ordo](https://fourwaves.com/blog/fourwaves-vs-ex-ordo/), and the [best peer review software](https://fourwaves.com/blog/best-peer-review-software/) roundup. ## Trusted by leading institutions worldwide Top organizations rely on Fourwaves to deliver exceptional events with ease. ![Microscopical Society of Canada](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/logo.BIcd4v39_skECT.webp) We can tailor the evaluation process each year without having to rebuild it from scratch. ![Dr. Mouhanad Babi - Facility Manager, Centre for Advanced Light Microscopy (CALM), McMaster University](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/mouhanad-babi.6xMkMkk9_ZDA8d3.webp) **Dr. Mouhanad Babi** Facility Manager, Centre for Advanced Light Microscopy (CALM), McMaster University ![USASP logo](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/usasp.QqEsvyJn_1DlkcA.webp) The review module cut my time down so much. We had over 120 reviewers and 530 abstracts. It went smoothly, no chaos, thanks to Fourwaves. ![Brittany Knight, PhD - USASP](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/brittany-knight.DfUP9WRD_2gOyjK.webp) **Brittany Knight, PhD** USASP ![Virginia Tech](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/virginia-tech.Cf3xfGJh_Zum2aB.webp) Fourwaves completely transformed our approach to managing proposals. Our review committee, 45 people strong, praised its simplicity and effectiveness. It was so seamless, our team wishes they could use it for grant submissions and award nominations too. ![Abbie Gill - Virginia Tech](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/abbie-gill.DLkN4IJY_23mHRz.webp) **Abbie Gill** Virginia Tech ![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 ![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 ![Outreach and Strategic Partnerships in Asia, AAAS logo](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/p-aaas.DREGcSbO_1z1Prl.webp) The conference concluded with great success, leaving sponsors, collaborators, and attendees highly satisfied. Based on my experience, Fourwaves is an excellent platform. Your work is exceptional! **Shoupeng Liu** Outreach and Strategic Partnerships in Asia, AAAS ![Tulane University](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/tulane_university.CREepX9w_A3Wp9.webp) The team at Fourwaves has been incredibly responsive to all of our technical support needs. They always approached every situation with a solutions-oriented mindset, which made a big difference. It’s been a real pleasure working with them. ![Jillian L. Delos Reyes - Tulane University](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/jullian-l-delos-reyes.DOTWYjWz_Z2iQP16.webp) **Jillian L. Delos Reyes** Tulane University ![McGill logo](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/mcgill.B_LWz6Wk_ZXJjgA.svg) The virtual event with the poster sessions went very well. Really well done, the platform is very useful and very well organized. The customer service is excellent. **Intissar Abbaoui** McGill ![University of Queensland logo](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/uqueensland.BeSOm1Xx_1GmziW.svg) Fourwaves is a great interactive easy to use platform for small or large conferences. The team is prompt, friendly and very helpful. **Lani Hearn** University of Queensland [See all testimonials](https://fourwaves.com/wall-of-love/) ## Frequently asked questions ### How customizable is the review form? You can add any required questions and specify exactly what reviewers should consider for each one. You can include scoring questions (out of 5, 10, or any scale you prefer) to establish a grade, file uploads (e.g., a Word document annotated by the reviewer), free-text comments for the program chair, multiple-choice options, and much more. ### What blind-review options are available? You can hide submitters’ and authors’ identifying details from reviewers, and also hide reviewers’ names from authors if you choose to share the results with them. ### How are reviewers assigned? Our intelligent algorithm assigns reviewers based on the target number of reviews and the topics covered, while preventing conflicts of interest to ensure a balanced process. You can manually adjust assignments when needed. ### Can I communicate decisions to authors? Fourwaves communicates decisions to authors from the platform: submissions are grouped by the committee’s decision (accepted, rejected, revision requested), and you email each group from the platform with the decision, the presentation format, and next steps such as registration or poster upload. Personalized fields fill in each author’s details automatically. ### Are reviewer comments visible to authors? Only if you choose to share them. In Fourwaves you pick which parts of the review form authors can see (for example the written feedback but not the numeric scores) and when they become visible. Authors then read the feedback from their own dashboard; reviewer names stay hidden under blind review settings. ### Can I export my data for the conference or for publication? Fourwaves exports your data for the conference or for publication: you can export all files into clearly labeled folders and generate a uniform Word document containing all information from accepted submissions, allowing you to create a structured abstract booklet by session, presentation type, or other criteria, for the conference or for publication purposes. ### Can I run peer review for free? You can, but it’s typically a “DIY” workflow: collect submissions in a form, export to a spreadsheet, assign reviewers manually (or automatically), and track scores/comments in shared documents. This can work for small events, but it gets messy fast when you have multiple tracks, conflicts of interest, or larger program committees. ### Can I use Fourwaves for abstract submissions only? Fourwaves can help you run the call for abstracts and peer review only. Organizers publish a submission form, assign reviewers, record decisions, notify authors and export the book of abstracts without using other modules like event registration or the event website. The free plan covers 25 submissions per event and paid plans have a flat annual fee. Registration, payments, the program, the mobile app and the event website are on the same event whenever they are needed, this year or at the next edition, with no migration and no second vendor. Oxford Abstracts and EasyChair also handle abstracts alone, but adding registration, payments, a mobile app or an event website means a second tool. ### How does Fourwaves compare to EasyChair, Ex Ordo and Oxford Abstracts? Fourwaves, EasyChair, Ex Ordo and Oxford Abstracts all run abstract submission and peer review for academic conferences; the differences are what happens after acceptance and how you buy. Fourwaves adds registration and payments, an event mobile app, the event website and the program on the same event, publishes flat annual prices, includes a free plan with 25 submissions per event, and keeps past events online indefinitely, so a committee can start with abstracts alone and add the rest at the next edition. Oxford Abstracts offers a paid symposium add-on for collecting symposia with their own sub-abstracts, prices per event, and guarantees event data access for one year (its pricing page, checked September 2026). Ex Ordo prices by quote after sales demos, collects panel and symposium submissions natively since January 2025, and syncs member status from Naylor Novi AMS, an association management system, on request, which suits associations that need that specific integration. EasyChair handles no payments and no event website. Detailed comparisons written by Fourwaves: [Fourwaves vs EasyChair](https://fourwaves.com/blog/fourwaves-vs-easychair/), [Fourwaves vs Ex Ordo](https://fourwaves.com/blog/fourwaves-vs-ex-ordo/) and [the best Oxford Abstracts alternative](https://fourwaves.com/blog/oxford-abstracts-alternative/). ![Jonathan Langlois](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/jonathan-langlois.Crxv7zNo_107Vdk.jpeg) ![Matthieu Chartier, PhD.](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/matthieu-chartier.DdroaXK5_1gM0FJ.jpeg) ![Gabrielle Laforest](https://fourwaves.com/_astro/gabrielle-laforest.rOLtngh9_Z1woiq.jpeg) **Want to talk to a human to ask your questions?** [Book a demo](https://fourwaves.com/book-a-demo/)