8 Best Jury Management Tools for Art Competitions in 2026

Managing a juried art competition can be a complex process.

From collecting submissions to coordinating jurors and scoring entries, organizers often face a flood of spreadsheets, emails, and file-sharing links.

To simplify this, many galleries and organizations now use jury management tools.

These platforms provide structured scoring systems, blind review features, and streamlined communication, ensuring competitions run fairly and efficiently.

In this article, you'll look at 8 of the best jury management tools art galleries and organizers can use in 2026.

8 Jury Management Tools at a Glance

Tool	Best For	Pricing Model
EntryThingy	Galleries that want a simple setup, blind jurying, and direct payments	$3 per entry token, no hidden fees
Submittable	Large competitions needing multi-step reviews and big teams	Subscription (pricing hidden, often $1,000s/yr)
Reviewr	Awards and competitions with structured rubrics	Custom pricing based on competition size
OpenWater	Professional-grade, scalable jurying for complex shows	Custom pricing, often higher for large events
CaFÉ	Nonprofits and public art programs seeking a broad reach	Annual subscription
ArtCall	Small/mid-sized galleries needing easy jury tools	One-time license fee per call
ZAPPlication	Art fairs and festivals handling very large entry volumes	Hosting + service fees
Artwork Archive	Galleries managing collections and competitions together	Tiered subscription

8 Best Jury Management Tools for Art Competitions

1. EntryThingy (Best All-in-One Jury Tool for Galleries and Competitions)

EntryThingy is built for both artists and organizations, but its jurying features are most useful for galleries running competitions.

Jurors log in to the platform, view high-quality artwork files, and score entries in a structured system.

The software supports blind jurying to hide artist identities, offers multiple scoring rounds to narrow submissions, and allows artists to pay galleries directly without third-party involvement.

The process stays simple, fair, and financially transparent while EntryThingy manages submissions and reviews.

Why galleries choose EntryThingy for jurying

• Blind judging options to ensure fair competition.
• Multiple scoring rounds for a fair, step-by-step review process.
• Easy juror access (jurors can log in from anywhere).
• Flexible forms that collect the exact details jurors need to evaluate.
• High-quality uploads so jurors can see artwork clearly.

Pricing

EntryThingy charges $3 per entry token, with no setup fees or subscriptions. For a gallery running three juried shows a year with around 50 submissions each, the total annual cost is about $450. See full pricing.

2. Submittable (Best for Large-Scale Jury Reviews)

Submittable is a submission and review platform, trusted by nonprofits, institutions, and arts organizations.

For galleries hosting juried competitions, it offers advanced tools to manage the submissions and the jurying process at scale.

One of Submittable's strengths is its multi-stage review system. Organizers can set up different scoring rounds, assign jurors to specific categories, and collect detailed comments.

This makes it easier to handle high volumes of entries without overwhelming jurors.

The platform also supports team collaboration. Gallery staff, curators, and external jurors can all log in, review submissions, and track progress in one shared workspace.

This reduces the back-and-forth emails that typically slow down competitions.

Why galleries choose Submittable for jurying

• Multi-step jury process with flexible scoring.
• Collaboration tools for teams and external jurors.
• Integrated payment processing for entry fees.
• Customizable forms to capture exactly what jurors need.
• Scalable to handle thousands of submissions.

Pricing

Submittable uses a subscription model, and pricing isn't listed publicly. Most galleries pay several thousand dollars per year, depending on the competition size and features used.

While it's on the pricier side, Submittable is a suitable choice for galleries or institutions running large juried art competitions with multiple reviewers.

3. Reviewr (Best Jury Platform for Awards and Competitions)

Reviewr isn't designed only for the art world, but it has become a suitable platform for managing competitions, awards, and grants across many industries.

For galleries and art organizations, its jury management system makes it easy to run professional, fair competitions from start to finish.

The platform focuses on creating a structured review process.

Organizers can set up blind judging, custom scoring rubrics, and weighted evaluation criteria, ensuring jurors have clear guidelines.

Everything happens online, so jurors can review entries securely from anywhere.

After jurying is complete, organizers can pull detailed reports to see scoring breakdowns, juror comments, and participation data. This helps galleries improve future competitions and maintain transparency with artists.

Why galleries choose Reviewr for jurying

• Blind judging and customizable scoring rubrics.
• Weighted evaluation criteria for fairer results.
• Secure online access for jurors.
• Robust reporting to track results and insights.
• Adaptable to different types of competitions beyond art.

Pricing

Reviewr offers custom pricing based on competition size and features. While typically used by award programs, smaller galleries may find the costs higher than art-specific platforms like EntryThingy or ArtCall.

For galleries that want a flexible, professional jurying system with advanced evaluation options, Reviewr is a solid choice.

4. OpenWater (Best Jurying Software for Professional-Grade Competitions)

OpenWater is a well-established platform for managing applications, reviews, and awards.

While it's widely used in industries like academia and nonprofits, its jury management features make it a solid option for art competitions as well.

With OpenWater, galleries can create multi-round jurying processes, assign entries to specific jurors, and customize scoring rubrics to match competition criteria.

It also offers blind review options, ensuring submissions are judged fairly without artist details influencing decisions.

What sets OpenWater apart is its scalability. It's designed to handle everything from small gallery shows to international competitions with thousands of entries.

The platform also includes built-in communication tools, so organizers can keep jurors and applicants updated without switching between systems.

Why galleries choose OpenWater for jurying

• Multi-round review workflows.
• Blind jurying and customizable rubrics.
• Scalable for competitions of any size.
• Integrated communication and notifications.
• Detailed reporting and analytics.

Pricing

Like Reviewr, OpenWater uses custom pricing based on the competition scope. It's often more expensive than smaller, art-specific tools, but its flexibility and power can make it worthwhile for larger galleries or institutions.

Galleries running complex juried shows or competitions with multiple categories will appreciate OpenWater's robust review system and fair judging features.

5. CaFÉ (Best Jury Platform for Nonprofits and Public Art Programs)

CaFÉ, short for Call for Entry, is one of the most recognized submission platforms in the art world.

Beyond collecting entries, it also provides jury management features that make it a trusted option for nonprofits, museums, and public art programs running competitions.

Galleries using CaFÉ benefit from its built-in artist network. Thousands of artists regularly search the platform for opportunities, which can increase the number and diversity of submissions.

Once entries are collected, CaFÉ's jury tools allow organizers to assign jurors, manage scoring, and run reviews online.

While its jurying features are more basic compared to platforms like EntryThingy or Reviewr, CaFÉ's strength lies in its familiarity. Many jurors and artists already know the system, which reduces the learning curve during competitions.

Why galleries choose CaFÉ for jurying

• Large built-in artist base for higher visibility.
• Online scoring and review tools for jurors.
• Standardized application process artists recognize.
• Widely used by nonprofits and public programs.
• Trusted brand with a long-standing reputation.

Pricing

CaFÉ uses an annual subscription model, which can be cost-effective for institutions running multiple competitions per year. However, smaller galleries may find the upfront cost higher than pay-per-entry systems like EntryThingy.

For galleries that want a familiar, widely trusted platform with straightforward jurying tools, CaFÉ remains a reliable option.

6. ArtCall (Best Jury Tool for Small and Mid-Sized Galleries)

ArtCall is a cloud-based platform that helps galleries set up calls for entry and manage the jurying process with minimal effort.

It's mainly appealing to small and mid-sized galleries that want a straightforward, affordable way to run juried exhibitions.

The platform includes a built-in online jury system where jurors can log in, view submissions, and score entries directly.

Galleries can customize evaluation criteria, assign jurors to specific categories, and collect comments in one place. This makes the process more organized than using email and spreadsheets.

Another benefit of ArtCall is its ability to create online galleries of accepted works, which is useful for virtual or hybrid shows.

This feature gives artists added exposure while helping galleries showcase competition results to a broader audience.

Why galleries choose ArtCall for jurying

• Simple, cloud-based setup with no technical expertise required.
• Customizable scoring and comments for jurors.
• An online jury system accessible from anywhere.
• Exhibition display tools for accepted entries.
• Affordable for smaller galleries running occasional calls.

Pricing

ArtCall uses a one-time license fee per call, making it cost-effective for galleries that only run a few juried exhibitions per year. For galleries with frequent competitions, per-entry models like EntryThingy may be more predictable.

ArtCall is a practical choice for galleries that want a no-fuss jurying system with a balance of affordability and essential features.

7. ZAPPlication (Best Jury Tool for Art Fairs and Large Competitions)

ZAPPlication (often called ZAPP) is known for serving art fairs and festivals, but it's also a reliable choice for galleries handling high submission volumes.

Its jurying features are designed to handle thousands of entries, making it one of the most scalable platforms on this list.

One of ZAPP's standout features is its robust image handling. Built to showcase artwork at high resolution, it gives jurors a clear, detailed view of every submission. Organizers can set up multiple scoring rounds, assign jurors, and track progress in real time.

ZAPP also serves as an artist discovery platform, since many artists actively use it to find and apply for shows. For galleries, this means added visibility and access to a larger applicant pool.

Why galleries choose ZAPPlication for jurying

• Designed to handle very large entry volumes.
• High-resolution image support for detailed jurying.
• Flexible multi-round review system.
• Widely recognized in the art fair world.
• Increases visibility by connecting with ZAPP's artist base.

Pricing

ZAPPlication charges both hosting and service fees, which can add up for smaller galleries. While it's ideal for large competitions and fairs, smaller juried shows may find EntryThingy or ArtCall more cost-effective.

If your gallery is managing large-scale juried competitions or art fairs, ZAPPlication provides the reliability and scale needed to handle thousands of entries. If you want to know more about art fairs, take a look at this article: 8 Alternative Art Fairs for Emerging Artists in the US

8. Artwork Archive (Best for Galleries Managing Collections and Jurying Together)

Artwork Archive is primarily known as an art inventory and collection management system, but it also includes tools for managing submissions and running juried competitions.

This makes it a good fit for galleries that want to handle both their collections and competitions in one platform.

For jurying, Artwork Archive allows galleries to collect entries, assign jurors, and review submissions directly in the system.

While its jury features aren't as advanced as platforms like EntryThingy, it's convenient for galleries that already use it for tracking artwork, exhibitions, and artist records.

The platform also shines in reporting and organization. Galleries can generate detailed reports on submissions, accepted works, and even integrate jury results into their broader collection management.

Why galleries choose Artwork Archive for jurying

• All-in-one tool for collection, exhibition, and competition management.
• Submission handling with built-in jury access.
• Artist and contact database to keep relationships organized.
• Reporting features for tracking both inventory and competition results.
• Cloud-based access for staff and jurors.

Pricing

Artwork Archive uses a tiered subscription model, with pricing based on the size of the gallery and the features needed. Costs are higher than simple jury-only tools, but suitable for galleries that want jurying plus full collection management.

For galleries looking to consolidate everything in one platform, Artwork Archive offers a flexible way to manage both art collections and juried competitions.

It might interest you: 9 Best Art Blogs to Follow in 2025

Start Managing Jurying with EntryThingy

With the right jury management tool, your gallery can collect submissions, run fair reviews, and keep everything organized without endless spreadsheets or back-and-forth emails.

EntryThingy is built to help galleries do exactly that, with blind jurying options, customizable scoring, direct payments, and clear pricing that scales with your needs.

Setup takes a few minutes, and your jurors can log in from anywhere to review entries fairly and efficiently.

If your gallery is planning its next juried exhibition or competition, now's the time to make the process easier. Start with EntryThingy and see how smooth jurying can be.

FAQs About Jury Management Tools for Art Competitions

What is a jury management tool for art competitions?

A jury management tool is software that helps galleries and organizers collect submissions, assign jurors, and run fair evaluations. These platforms often include blind judging, customizable scoring, and reporting to make competitions more efficient.

How do jury tools ensure fairness in competitions?

Most jury platforms include blind review options, which hide artist identities during scoring. They also allow galleries to set clear scoring rubrics and run multiple review rounds, reducing bias and ensuring a transparent selection process.

Which jury management tool is best for small galleries?

Smaller galleries often choose EntryThingy, ArtCall, or ShowSubmit because they're affordable and easy to set up. Larger institutions or festivals may prefer Submittable, ZAPPlication, or OpenWater for handling bigger competitions.

How much do jury management platforms cost?

Pricing varies widely. Some tools (like EntryThingy) charge per entry token, while others use annual subscriptions or flat fees per call. Larger systems, such as Submittable or OpenWater, often cost thousands per year, while smaller gallery-focused platforms can be just a few hundred dollars.