Converia vs. COMS
COMS and Converia are both designed for scientific, academic, and medical conferences. Both cover submission, review, program, and registration. The main differences lie in payment processing, invoicing, and on-site operations.
Summary
COMS is a modular conference software with one-time prices per event, where payments run through the organizer's own account. Converia can handle payment processing itself, without the organizer needing their own merchant contracts. On top of that come e-invoicing, reverse charge, check-in with badge printing, and DFN-AAI for universities.
The key differences at a glance
COMS is a web-based conference software from an Austrian provider, used for academic events since 2008. It covers abstracts through full papers, reviews with bidding and a two-stage process, the program, proceedings export, and registration with invoices in any currency. Payments go to the organizer's own account, for example with Mollie, Stripe, or PayPal.
Converia also covers submission, review with conflict-of-interest logic, program planning, and registration, including the conference website and check-in with badge printing. Converia can handle payment processing through BaFin-certified, insolvency-protected accounts, with invoices including e-invoicing and reverse charge. For universities, DFN-AAI login and framework agreements are available.
FAQ
How much effort is it to switch from COMS to Converia?
The Converia team works with you to transfer forms, participant categories, prices, and texts. We then set up the next edition of your conference. Ideally, get in touch well before your next call for abstracts.
Do I need my own Stripe, Mollie, or PayPal account with Converia?
No. Converia can handle payment processing completely and pays the revenue out to you. You can still use your own contracts with payment providers if you prefer.
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