Platform Comparison
Conferences.Center vs Whova
Whova is a popular event app built around attendee engagement and networking; Conferences.Center adds the academic backbone — peer review and paper submission — on top of ticketing and a live hub.
Comparison as of 2026, based on publicly available information about Whova. Product capabilities and pricing change over time — verify current details with each vendor.
The short version
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.
Conferences.Center is an AI-assisted, all-in-one platform. Alongside ticketing, a live/hybrid hub, and attendee networking, it provides the academic workflow Whova is not built around: CFP, abstract and paper submission, and structured peer review with COI checks and rebuttals.
So the two overlap on engagement and registration, but diverge on scholarly review: Whova excels at the attendee experience, while Conferences.Center adds a full program-committee workflow to that experience.
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 helps configure tracks, timelines, and workflows from a short brief. | 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 — not a peer-review platform; blind review, COI, and rebuttal are not core 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 integrated Stripe payments. | Yes — registration and ticketing with payments. |
| Live / hybrid event hub | Yes — live/hybrid hub with streaming, Q&A, and polls for online and in-person attendees. | Yes — virtual and hybrid event tools within the app. |
| Attendee networking | Yes — AI matchmaking, 1:1 meeting scheduling, and networking spaces. | Yes — attendee networking and community features are a core strength. |
| Analytics | Yes — real-time dashboards for registration, engagement, and revenue. | Yes — engagement and event analytics. |
| Data export & portability | Yes — CSV, Excel, and PDF exports across submissions, reviews, and attendees. | Yes — attendee and event data exports (varies by plan). |
| Pricing model | Freemium — free for small events (up to 50 attendees), with transparent per-event paid plans. | Quote-based — typically per-event pricing (varies by plan). |
| Best for | Teams that want submission, peer review, ticketing, and the live event 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.
Integrated Stripe payments
Sell tickets and collect fees directly through Stripe, 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
Can I migrate from Whova to Conferences.Center?
Yes. Attendee lists, agendas, and speaker/session data can generally be exported from Whova and imported into Conferences.Center. Exact export options vary by plan, so our team helps confirm and map your data during onboarding.
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 is freemium — free for events up to 50 attendees, with transparent per-event paid plans. Confirm current figures with each vendor before deciding.
Keep exploring
Compare with other platforms
See the all-in-one difference
Run submissions, peer review, ticketing, and your live event from one platform. Free for events up to 50 attendees. No credit card required.