Platform Comparison
The credible alternative to CaFÉ and SlideRoom.
Artsume applicants can use one artist-controlled profile across applications. Your organization can start free.
Compare published pricing
CaFÉ publishes standard prices. SlideRoom and Submittable ask organizations to request a quote.
| Platform | Initial year | Later year | Primary source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Artsume | Free to start, with no subscription charge. A 10% platform fee applies to application payments. Optional Artsume Pro for organizations costs $500 a year. | The same choices and platform fee apply. | Artsume pricing |
| CaFÉ Pro | $225 onboarding, $250 per call, and $2.49 per application. | $120 annual renewal, $250 per call, and $2.49 per application. | CaFÉ pricing |
| CaFÉ Plus | $225 onboarding and $475 per call. The first 250 applications are included; each additional application costs $2.49. | $120 annual renewal and $475 per call. The same application allowance and excess fee apply. | CaFÉ pricing |
| SlideRoom | Request a quote. The public pricing page lists no standard amount. | Request a quote. The public pricing page lists no standard amount. | SlideRoom pricing |
| Submittable | Request a quote. The public pricing page lists no standard amount. | Request a quote. The public pricing page lists no standard amount. | Submittable pricing |
Prices use US dollars. Sources checked October 9, 2026. CaFÉ electronic processing adds 3.25% to card and PayPal payments. Artsume includes card processing in its platform fee.
The details matter
Questions about switching platforms.
How does Artsume compare to CaFÉ?
Artists reuse their Artsume when they apply. Programs can ask for additional answers or selected work. Organizations review, score and decide in Artsume. Artsume is free to start for every organization, with an optional Artsume Pro for organizations subscription that adds recommended artists, invitations to artists you find on Artsume, applicant fit, one promotion for each paid year, blind reviews and juries, and reports. CaFÉ lists its prices in US dollars. At initial signup, both plans charge a $225 onboarding fee. Pro costs $250 per call plus $2.49 per application. Plus costs $475 per call, includes the first 250 applications, then costs $2.49 per additional application. For later years, CaFÉ lists a $120 annual renewal fee instead of the initial onboarding fee. Electronic processing costs 3.25% on card and PayPal payments. Source: CaFÉ pricing, read October 9, 2026, at https://www.callforentry.org/how-it-works/pricing/.
How does Artsume compare to SlideRoom?
Artsume is built for visual and performing arts, not higher education admissions. Artists reuse their Artsume when they apply. Programs can ask for additional answers or selected work. Organizations review submissions visually, not as file attachments. SlideRoom does not publish a standard amount on its pricing page; it asks organizations to contact sales.
How do the pricing models differ?
Artsume is free to start for every organization. Besides subscriptions and optional promotions, the only fee is an all-in 10% platform fee on the application payments an organization collects, card processing included. That fee comes out of what the organization collects, so artists pay nothing extra. Artsume Pro for organizations adds recommended artists, invitations to artists you find on Artsume, applicant fit, one promotion for each paid year, blind reviews and juries, and reports. SlideRoom and Submittable do not publish standard amounts on their pricing pages. Each page asks the organization to contact sales. Sources read October 9, 2026: https://www.slideroom.com/pricing/ and https://www.submittable.com/pricing.
What should I compare before switching platforms?
Compare the application workflow, review tools, data export options and the complete quote. Run one program through the chosen workflow before you move active work.
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