pretalx

Self-Hosted

Open-source conference management and submission system

Overview

pretalx is an open-source platform for organizing conferences, workshops, and hackathons. It streamlines call for papers (CFP) management, peer review workflows, schedule creation, and attendee engagement. Deploy via Docker or manual Python/Django setup, with support for multi-language events and customizable review criteria. Features include anonymous reviews, exportable schedules (PDF, iCal), and integration with ticketing tools. Ideal for community-led events prioritizing data privacy and control over proprietary alternatives.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  pretalx:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: pretalx
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Call for Papers (CFP) and submission tracking
Customizable peer review workflows
Schedule creation and export (PDF, iCal)
Multi-language support
Attendee and ticket integration

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is pretalx hard to install?

pretalx is easy to install via Docker (pre-built images simplify dependencies) or manual Python/Django setup. Docker is recommended for most users, with step-by-step docs covering both methods.

? Is pretalx a good alternative to ConfTool?

Yes—pretalx offers core conference features (CFP, reviews, scheduling) for free, with better customization and privacy. It lacks some enterprise ConfTool features but is ideal for community-led events.

? Is pretalx completely free?

pretalx is 100% free under the Apache 2.0 license. You only pay for hosting (server/cloud) if self-hosting; no subscription or usage fees apply.

Top Alternatives

ConfTool Search Google

Eventbrite Compare

Cvent Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Free/Open Source

Category Conference Management

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Privacy-focused (self-hosted data ownership)
⊕ No subscription fees
⊕ Highly customizable for diverse event types
⊕ Open-source (modify and extend codebase)

Cons

⊖ Requires basic server/Docker setup knowledge
⊖ Limited built-in payment processing (needs third-party integration)
⊖ Smaller enterprise feature set compared to ConfTool