OpenWater: Application and review software for associations, foundations, and higher education, with abstract and conference scheduling. Here is how it compares with Applicantly, using OpenWater's own website as of October 5, 2026.
| Applicantly | OpenWater | |
|---|---|---|
| Published pricing | Yes$79, $119, or $249 a month | YesEstimate starts at $9,050 a year |
| Free trial | Yes14 days, all features | Not listed on their site |
| Conditional logic | YesShow or hide questions, plus answer rules | Yes |
| Multi-stage review | YesCustom stages with automatic next steps | YesMulti-round review |
| Rubric scoring and ranking | YesTotals, judge averages, and rankings | YesWeighted rubrics, multiple judges |
| Blind or anonymized review | PartlyShareable link shows team numbers only; judge accounts see names, never contact details | YesDouble-blind judging |
| Team applications | YesEvery member gets their own sign-in | Not listed on their site |
| Time slot or interview scheduling | YesSign-up sheets with capacity per slot | PartlySession scheduling for conferences |
| Parent and guardian consent for minors | YesGuardians sign by link, with a PDF audit trail | Not listed on their site |
| E-signatures | YesTyped signatures on any form | Not listed on their site |
| Application or entry fees | No | YesStripe and PayPal |
| Award disbursement or fund tracking | No | YesFund tracking |
| Recommendation letter requests | No | PartlyUploaded by applicants, not requested |
| AI features | YesOperator assistant edits forms, slots, and stages | PartlyOpt-in beta for existing customers |
| Salesforce integration | NoGoogle Sheets sync, intake API, and CSV | Yes65+ integrations, including Salesforce and iMIS |
| Custom domain | YesPro and Enterprise | YesVanity domain add-on |
"Not listed on their site" means we could not find it on openwater.com, not that OpenWater lacks it.
OpenWater publishes a plan builder. Its default estimate is $6,650 a year for one program plus $2,400 a year for one admin, $9,050 in total, with full setup at $205 an hour.
Applicantly plans are $79, $119, and $249 a month, or 25% less billed yearly. Every plan includes unlimited forms, stages, sign-up sheets, and judging forms, and starts with a 14-day free trial. Compare plans.
OpenWater is owned by ASI, which acquired it in 2022, and getopenwater.com now redirects to openwater.com.
OpenWater's pricing page builds an estimate. The default is $6,650 a year for one program and $2,400 a year for one admin, $9,050 in total, plus $205 an hour for full setup, as of October 2026.
Applicantly plans are $79, $119, and $249 a month, or 25% less billed yearly, with a 14-day free trial. Forms, stages, and judging forms are unlimited on every plan.
We could not find team or group applications on OpenWater's site. In Applicantly, one application creates the team and every member gets their own sign-in.
Partly. Judges on the shareable link see each team only by its number. Judges with accounts review the full application with team and member names, but never contact details. OpenWater advertises double-blind judging.
Yes. Start from a template, paste a Google Form link, or describe your application and AI drafts it for you to review. Then set your stages and judging form. There is no setup fee.
Checked October 5, 2026. Prices and features change, so confirm with OpenWater before deciding. OpenWater is a trademark of its owner; Applicantly is not affiliated with it.
Other comparisons: Reviewr, Submittable, SurveyMonkey Apply, SmarterSelect, AwardSpring, Award Force, Good Grants.
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