Best Contest Software of 2026

If you're looking for the best contest software with a free trial, look no further! With its automated submission handling, streamlined organisation and robust security, our contest management platform provides the perfect solution for busy administrators, judges and candidates. Automate your projects with one platform, to make, take and judge submissions. Built-in features allow candidates to upload images, text, videos, documents, 3D models and more. Automated emails are sent to candidates and judges at every step of the process so that everyone knows exactly what they need to do next. With our submission tracking software, you can see how many of your submissions have been accepted or rejected in real time. Zealous is accessible from all devices, anywhere in the world. Users can try a free trial to gather their first submissions for free! Features: Contest Management | Submission Tracking | Bulk Processing | Blind Judging | Customisable Forms | Accept Payments | Automated Emails | Schedules & Multiple Round Publishing | Secure Data | Downloadable PDFs | Judging Management | Advanced Custom Category Scoring | Entry Collection | Anonymous Judging

Evalato is the next-gen awards management software that helps you collect entries, empower judging, and recognize the worthiest winners. Trusted by brands like UN, WWF, Red Cross, Reuters, University of Oxford, Messe Frankfurt, Vodafone and hundreds of other organizations, Evalato helps you work smart and delight your community. It is the ideal solution for media associations, event companies and agencies, as well as non-profits, corporations, and any other organization that has awards or other programs. Evalato is compatible with over 40 languages and 160+ currencies and can be integrated with more than 2000 apps.

Software for submission management that simplifies application management, data analysis, and compliance. You can quickly create complex forms and get the media and data you need in the format that you prefer. Our expert support team can help you create complex or simple workflows. You can evaluate effectively using features like auto-tag and auto-score, self-reject, user score. Use the in-app mail to communicate directly with candidates. Use powerful analytics tools to create meaningful reports that you can control.

OpenWater offers a comprehensive software solution that enables organizations to gather and assess various types of applications while facilitating online reviews. This platform is designed to enhance your awards, abstracts, fellowships, grants, and beyond! The OpenWater Growth Stack has been rigorously tested and is equipped to manage even the most complex application and review workflows for awards, grants, scholarships, fellowships, abstracts, and more. With OpenWater's software, you can deliver a seamless and engaging virtual conference experience to your audience. Our robust enterprise-grade virtual event software ensures high-quality broadcasts on a large scale. As a reliable partner, we are dedicated to helping you expand your reach through our innovative remote conference platform, ensuring your events are both impactful and successful.

Efficient submission management is essential, and Reviewr offers a cloud-based platform that simplifies the collection, oversight, and evaluation of online submissions. By utilizing Reviewr's submission management software, you can minimize the time spent on administration and maximize your impact in other areas. This all-in-one tool is designed for specific tasks, ensuring that you have the right resources for every job. Reviewr goes beyond typical submission software by providing a comprehensive digital experience that is backed by tried-and-true methodologies. Not only does it save time for administrators, but it also encourages an atmosphere conducive to growth, constructive feedback, and community engagement. Welcome to the innovative Reviewr experience, a contemporary answer to the complexities of submission management and review processes. From inception to completion, Reviewr offers a well-established submission management framework, ensuring you have everything you need. With insights gleaned from years of expertise and feedback from a multitude of clients, Reviewr's dedicated approaches effectively elevate awards, grants, scholarships, and more through specialized tools that are perfectly tailored to each task. In a world where efficiency is key, Reviewr empowers organizations to achieve more with less effort.

Discover groundbreaking startups for investment and collaboration opportunities while overseeing the complete lifecycle of your startup initiative seamlessly from one platform. Launch startup competitions to inspire and support visionary entrepreneurs tackling some of society's most pressing issues. Stay ahead of the curve by identifying emerging trends and innovations, and significantly enhance your innovation strategies through strategic partnerships with startups. Facilitate competitions for students and alumni to engage them in entrepreneurial activities. Draw in skilled entrepreneurs to your university by leveraging startup initiatives. Optimize your time by minimizing the effort spent on reviewing attachments and forms, allowing you to focus more on creating exceptional opportunities for startups. Streamline the submission process to gather entries effortlessly and establish clear evaluation workflows. Choose the most deserving winners for your scholarships based on informed assessments. Make well-informed choices regarding submissions by selecting the most capable participants and gaining comprehensive insights into all aspects of submissions at each phase. By understanding the data and demographics of your participants, you can tailor your approach to maximize engagement and support. Ultimately, fostering an environment that nurtures innovation and collaboration will lead to significant advancements in your community.