Looking for a modern alternative to CaFÉ?
EntryThingy offers everything CaFÉ does—plus better UX, fairer pricing, and features galleries actually want. Here's an honest comparison to help you decide.
Free migration from CaFÉ • No credit card required
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | EntryThingy | CaFÉ |
|---|---|---|
| Per-submission pricing | ✓ $3 per submission | ✓ $2.49 per submission |
| Per-call fee | ✓ $0 | ✗ $250-475 per call |
| Annual subscription fee | ✓ $0 | ✗ $120/year |
| Onboarding fee | ✓ $0 | ✗ $225 one-time |
| Modern, intuitive interface | ✓ Built in 2024 | ~ Legacy system |
| Artist discovery platform | ✓ 166K+ artists | ✓ Large network |
| Blind jurying | ✓ | ✓ |
| Custom submission forms | ✓ | ~ Limited |
| Payment processing | ✓ Credit cards + PayPal | ✓ Multiple options |
| Mobile-friendly | ✓ Fully responsive | ~ Some pages |
| Customer support response | ✓ <24 hours | ~ Varies |
| Free data migration | ✓ We do it for you | - N/A |
Pricing: The Real Cost
EntryThingy
Pay only when you receive submissions. No commitment.
CaFÉ (Pro Plan)
Per-call and annual fees charged regardless of submission volume.
💰 Save $544 in year 1 with EntryThingy vs CaFÉ Pro (100 submissions, 1 call)
EntryThingy: $300 | CaFÉ: $844 ($225 onboarding + $250 call + $120 annual + $249 submissions)
User Experience
EntryThingy
- Modern interface built with current web standards
- Fully mobile-responsive on all devices
- Clean dashboard with intuitive navigation
- Fast page loads and smooth interactions
- Artists love it - smooth submission process
CaFÉ
- Legacy interface from early 2000s design
- Mixed mobile experience - some pages not optimized
- Complex navigation with learning curve
- Slower performance on older infrastructure
- Large established network of artists
Artist Discovery Matters
Both platforms connect galleries with artists, but there's a key difference in how calls are displayed:
EntryThingy: Aggregated Discovery
Artists see calls from ALL platforms in one place. Your call for entry appears alongside calls from every gallery, giving you broader exposure to 166,000+ artists.
CaFÉ: Platform-Only Discovery
Artists only see calls posted on CaFÉ. While they have a large network, artists must visit multiple platforms to see all opportunities.
What galleries switching from CaFÉ say
“We were paying CaFÉ's annual fee even when we didn't run calls. EntryThingy's pay-per-submission model makes so much more sense.”
“The EntryThingy interface is night and day compared to CaFÉ. Our volunteers can actually figure it out without training.”
When CaFÉ Might Still Make Sense
We believe in honest comparisons. Here are scenarios where CaFÉ could be a better fit:
- Very high submission volume: If you regularly receive many hundreds of submissions per call, CaFÉ's per-submission pricing might be slightly lower than EntryThingy's (though you still pay per-call and annual fees)
- Established with CaFÉ: If you have years of data in CaFÉ and don't want to migrate, staying put is valid (though we offer free migration!)
- Complex specialized needs: CaFÉ has been around since 1994 and has built features for niche use cases
That said, most galleries find EntryThingy's modern approach, fair pricing, and better UX worth the switch.
Switching is Easy
Worried about migrating from CaFÉ? We make it painless.
Contact Us
Let us know you're migrating from CaFÉ
We Do The Heavy Lifting
We'll help transfer your artist data and setup your account
Launch Your First Call
Set up your call for entry in minutes, not hours
🎉 Free migration assistance for all galleries switching from CaFÉ
Common Questions
Can I use both platforms?
Yes! Some galleries use both. However, most find they prefer one platform and discontinue the other to avoid dual management and costs.
Will I lose my artist contact list?
No. We can help you import your artist contacts. You own your data, and we make migration easy.
What if I only run one call per year?
EntryThingy is perfect for this! You only pay when artists submit. No annual fees means you're not paying for months of inactivity.
Do artists prefer one platform over the other?
Artists appreciate EntryThingy's modern interface and aggregated call listings. They can see opportunities from all platforms in one place, which they find more convenient than checking multiple sites.
What about customer support?
EntryThingy is a smaller, more responsive team. We typically respond within 24 hours and actually answer your emails (ask our galleries!). CaFÉ has support, but response times vary.
Ready to try EntryThingy?
Join 2,500+ galleries who chose a modern, affordable alternative to CaFÉ.
Start Your Free TrialFree trial • No credit card • Free CaFÉ migration assistance
* This comparison is based on publicly available information and feedback from galleries who have used both platforms. CaFÉ and CallForEntry are trademarks of ArtCafe Inc. EntryThingy is an independent platform not affiliated with CaFÉ. Pricing and features subject to change. Last updated January 2025.