The release of Open Journal Systems (OJS) version 3.5 brings a number of significant updates, especially in the management of journal article metadata and system integration such as JATS XML. However, although this version is increasingly sophisticated in supporting the management of scientific journals, OJS 3.5 is still not designed as a scientific conference platform.
Most of the new features remain focused on the needs of journals—not on conference management systems that generally require modules such as structured call for papers, participant registration processes, presentation scheduling, and certificate and event ticket management. Therefore, OJS 3.5 cannot yet be used as the main solution for managing scientific conferences comprehensively.
For those of you who are looking for a special platform for conferences in 2025, here are some alternatives worth considering:
1. Leconfe
Leconfe is a web-based academic conference management platform designed with the latest academic workflow in mind. It supports features such as multi-author submission, a flexible review system, payment integration, presentation session scheduling, proceedings publication, and interactive dashboards for participants, reviewers, and organizers.
What sets Leconfe apart is that it is free to use, open-access, and open source, making it one of the few conference platforms that offers professional-level functionality without licensing costs. This makes Leconfe an ideal choice for institutions seeking an independent, customizable, and sustainable solution for managing scientific conferences.
2. EasyChair
EasyChair is one of the most popular conference platforms globally. It provides a solid system for managing papers, reviews, and conference programs. EasyChair is suitable for medium to large conferences and offers a variety of packages, from free to paid versions with advanced features such as integrated payments and publishing. However, the interface is quite complex for novice users, and the documentation is mostly in English.
3. Fourwaves
Fourwaves is a modern conference platform that emphasizes intuitive user experience and aesthetic design. It offers features such as abstract management, attendee tickets, virtual rooms, and event agenda publication. It is suitable for scientific events, symposiums, and workshops with international participants. However, Fourwaves is more popular among European and American academics, with a relatively high price compared to other platforms.
4. EDAS (Editor’s Assistant)
EDAS is a conference system that has been used by various IEEE conferences. Its main features include paper collection, peer review, and session scheduling. EDAS is very powerful from a technical standpoint and is suitable for conferences that require tight control over review and indexing. The drawbacks are a clunky interface and a fairly steep learning curve for new organizers.
Conclusion
Although OJS 3.5 offers interesting new features in the world of scientific journals, this platform is not yet optimal for overall conference management. For conference needs in 2025, Leconfe is the most ideal solution because in addition to providing complete and up-to-date features, Leconfe can also be used for free and is open source. If you want to manage conferences more efficiently, modernly, and in accordance with academic needs, Leconfe deserves to be your main choice.