Platform Comparison
Conferences.Center vs Whova
Conferences.Center brings the academic backbone — peer review and paper submission — together with ticketing, a live hub, and attendee networking in one platform. Whova is a popular event app known for attendee engagement and networking.
Comparison as of July 2026, based on publicly available information about Whova. Product capabilities and pricing change over time — verify current details with each vendor. Spot something out of date? Tell us and we’ll correct it.
The short version
Conferences.Center is an AI-assisted, all-in-one platform. Alongside ticketing, a live/hybrid hub, and attendee networking, it provides a full academic workflow: CFP, abstract and paper submission, and structured peer review with COI checks and rebuttals.
Whova is a widely used event-management and engagement platform, best known for its polished mobile app, agenda, attendee networking, and community features. It also offers registration and tools for a call for speakers.
So the two overlap on engagement and registration, but differ in emphasis: Whova centers on the attendee experience, while Conferences.Center pairs that experience with a full program-committee workflow.
Feature-by-feature comparison
Conferences.Center vs Whova across the workflows that matter for running a conference.
| Capability | Conferences.Center | Whova |
|---|---|---|
| AI-assisted conference setup | Yes — AI-assisted setup can draft tracks, timelines, and workflows from a brief or CFP for organizer review. | Limited — guided event setup, but not AI-assisted configuration as of 2026. |
| Abstract & paper submission | Yes — CFP, abstracts, and full papers with multi-track submission and format checks. | Limited — call-for-speakers/abstract collection exists; full academic paper submission is not the focus. |
| Peer review (blind, COI, rebuttal) | Yes — single- and double-blind review, conflict-of-interest checks, and structured rebuttal periods. | Limited — focused on engagement rather than academic peer review; blind review, COI, and rebuttal are not central features. |
| Reviewer matching / suggestions | Yes — reviewer suggestions from roles, tracks, and workload; organizers approve every assignment. | Limited — session/speaker selection rather than academic reviewer matching. |
| Ticketing & payments | Yes — built-in ticketing with Stripe-hosted payments where configured. | Yes — registration and ticketing with payments. |
| Live / hybrid event hub | Yes — live/hybrid hub with agenda, Q&A, polls, and attendee access for online and in-person formats. | Yes — virtual and hybrid event tools within the app. |
| Attendee networking | Yes — attendee profiles, networking spaces, and meeting workflows, with assisted matching where configured. | Yes — attendee networking and community features are a core strength. |
| Analytics | Yes — dashboards for submissions, reviews, registration, attendance, engagement, and revenue where configured. | Yes — engagement and event analytics. |
| Data export & portability | Yes — structured exports across submissions, reviews, schedules, registrations, and attendees. | Yes — attendee and event data exports (varies by plan). |
| Pricing model | Published per-event pricing from $290 for small events, with plans for larger or recurring conference programs. | Quote-based — typically per-event pricing (varies by plan). |
| Best for | Teams that want submissions, peer review, scheduling, registration, attendee operations, and reporting in one platform. | Associations and events prioritizing attendee engagement and a strong mobile app. |
Where a cell says “varies by plan”, “add-on”, or “limited”, availability depends on the vendor’s tier or is not a core focus of that product.
Where Whova is strong
Whova has built its reputation on attendee experience, and it shows. Its mobile app is polished and well-adopted, and its networking, community boards, agenda, and engagement features consistently earn praise from organizers who want attendees to connect and stay active before, during, and after an event.
For association meetings, corporate conferences, and multi-day events where engagement and a dependable app are the priority — and where deep academic peer review isn't needed — Whova is a strong, proven option with broad adoption.
Why teams choose Conferences.Center
One platform for peer review, ticketing, and the live event — instead of stitching several tools together.
Peer review Whova doesn't do
Run CFP, abstract and paper submission, single/double-blind review, COI checks, and rebuttals natively — the program-committee workflow an engagement app isn't built for.
AI-assisted setup
Spin up tracks, timelines, and review stages from a short brief instead of configuring everything manually.
Engagement and academics together
Keep attendee networking and a live hub, but on the same platform that manages submissions, reviews, and decisions.
Ticketing and payment workflows
Sell tickets and collect fees through Stripe-hosted checkout where configured, with registration data alongside your program.
Who should choose which
Choose Whova if…
your priority is attendee engagement, networking, and a top-tier mobile app, and you don't need academic peer review or paper submission.
Choose Conferences.Center if…
you want the engagement and ticketing of a modern event platform plus a full peer-review and submission workflow, all in one place with AI-assisted setup.
Frequently asked questions
Is Conferences.Center good for academic conferences?
Yes. Unlike engagement-first event apps, it is built around scholarly workflows — CFP, abstract and paper submission, blind review, COI checks, rebuttal periods, and reviewer suggestions — while still offering ticketing, a live hub, and attendee networking.
Does Conferences.Center have networking and a mobile-friendly experience?
Yes. It includes AI matchmaking, 1:1 meeting scheduling, networking spaces, and a live/hybrid hub with Q&A and polls. Whova's dedicated app is a particular strength, so if the mobile app is your single most important factor, weigh that directly.
How does pricing compare?
Whova is typically quote-based per-event pricing. Conferences.Center uses transparent, published per-event pricing from $290 (no quote required), plus annual Organization plans for recurring programs. Confirm current figures with each vendor before deciding.
Keep exploring
Compare with other platforms
See the conference-operations workflow
Review how Conferences.Center connects setup, submissions, peer review, registration, and live operations in one organizer workspace.