EntryThingy vs ArtCall: 2026 Comparison for Art Galleries
Side-by-side comparison of EntryThingy and ArtCall.org for galleries in 2026. Pricing, jury features, exhibition support, and a third option that's gaining ground.
EntryThingy vs ArtCall: 2026 Comparison for Art Galleries
Art galleries and exhibition organizers face a critical choice when selecting submission management software. Two established platforms—EntryThingy and ArtCall.org—have dominated the space for years, but they serve different organizational needs and budgets. This guide cuts through marketing claims to show you exactly what each platform offers, where they excel, and where they fall short.
What Are EntryThingy and ArtCall?
EntryThingy is a pay-per-use submission platform that charges galleries based on the number of artist entries submitted. It's designed as a low-friction entry point for galleries running occasional competitions or shows.
ArtCall.org is a subscription-based service offering galleries broader call management, jury review tools, and exhibition publishing. Pricing scales with features and submission volume.
Both platforms handle the core workflow: artists submit work, galleries organize submissions, juries review and score, and decisions are communicated. But the similarities end there.
Quick Verdict
Choose EntryThingy if: You run occasional, small to mid-sized calls (<200 submissions annually) and want zero upfront cost. The pay-per-submission model is transparent and predictable for lightweight operations.
Choose ArtCall.org if: You run multiple calls per year, need robust jury collaboration tools, multi-round voting, and exhibition publishing for accepted work. The subscription model becomes cheaper at scale and includes exhibition features EntryThingy lacks.
If neither fits your workflow, a third option is reshaping the market (see "A Third Option" below).
Pricing Comparison
| Factor | EntryThingy | ArtCall.org |
|---|---|---|
| Model | Pay-per-submission (~$3/entry) | Subscription: $79–$500+/month |
| Setup Cost | None | None |
| Free Plan | Submissions only; call setup free | 7-day free trial only |
| 100 Submissions | ~$300 | $79–$199/month (varies by plan) |
| 500 Submissions | ~$1,500 | $199–$500+/month |
| 1,000+ Submissions | ~$3,000+ | $500+/month; custom pricing |
| Exhibition Publishing | Not included | Premium tiers only |
| Artwork Sales Integration | None | Commission tracking available |
| Stripe Connect | Not supported | Available on higher tiers |
Pricing Note: EntryThingy's per-submission cost is publicly stated. ArtCall.org pricing is tiered; exact costs vary by feature selection and require a quote for high-volume calls.
Feature Comparison Table
| Feature | EntryThingy | ArtCall.org |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Jury Review | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-Round Voting | Limited | Yes, full support |
| Jury Scoring/Ranking | Basic (pass/fail focus) | Advanced (numeric scoring, normalization) |
| Side-by-Side Submission Comparison | No | Yes |
| Exhibition Publishing | No | Yes (premium) |
| Public Artist Directory | No | Yes |
| Artwork Sales/Commission Tracking | No | Yes (higher tiers) |
| Stripe Connect Payouts | No | Yes (premium) |
| Mobile Jury UI | Limited | Responsive design |
| Customizable Jury Forms | Basic | Advanced |
| Bulk Artist Communications | Yes | Yes |
| Artwork Image Upload Limits | 5–10 per submission | Varies by tier |
| API Access | No | No (closed platform) |
When EntryThingy Wins
- Zero Upfront Cost: No subscription means you can test before committing.
- Straightforward Pricing: You pay only for submissions received. No surprise bills.
- Simplicity: Minimal features mean faster onboarding for small, one-off calls.
- No Long-Term Contracts: Month-to-month without annual commitments.
- Artist-Friendly Setup: Artists can submit quickly with minimal platform onboarding.
When ArtCall.org Wins
- Jury Collaboration: Multi-round voting, numeric scoring, and jury report generation are far more sophisticated.
- Exhibition Publishing: Once selected, artists and their work appear in a public, SEO-friendly exhibition page—key for marketing accepted work.
- Scalability: At 300+ submissions, the subscription model becomes cheaper than EntryThingy's per-submission fees.
- Artist Directory: Galleries can build discoverable artist profiles linked to submitted work.
- Payment Integration: Stripe Connect allows galleries to pay artists directly through the platform for sold artwork.
- Advanced Customization: Jury forms, scoring rubrics, and decision workflows adapt to your specific process.
Where Both Fall Short
Limited Exhibition and Curation Tools
Neither platform emphasizes post-acceptance curation—hanging layout, wall assignments, or print-friendly catalogs. If you need exhibition planning beyond digital publishing, you'll integrate a separate tool.
Artist Re-Upload Friction (EntryThingy)
EntryThingy requires artists to re-upload artwork images for each new call. ArtCall.org avoids this with portfolio persistence, but still lacks a unified artist account across multiple galleries.
Dated User Experience
ArtCall.org's interface feels utilitarian. Modern galleries expect cleaner, more intuitive design. EntryThingy's simplicity is a strength for small calls but limits power users.
No API Access
Neither platform offers API integrations, making it hard to sync submissions with your gallery website, CRM, or accounting software.
Limited Customization (EntryThingy)
You can't deeply customize submission forms, jury scoring rubrics, or decision workflows—a significant gap for galleries with unique evaluation criteria.
A Third Option: Crafted Call
A modern alternative is rising in the market: Crafted Call, a comprehensive call management platform built for 2026 gallery workflows.
Crafted Call combines the simplicity of EntryThingy with the power of ArtCall.org—and adds critical missing pieces:
- Transparent Pricing: No per-submission surprises. Simple, tiered subscriptions that scale with your organization, not submission count.
- Modern Jury Experience: Multi-round voting, numeric scoring with automatic normalization, and side-by-side comparison all ship standard.
- Full Exhibition Publishing: Accepted work is automatically published to a beautiful, public exhibition page with artist bios, images, and pricing—great for SEO and sales.
- Artwork Sales Integration: Built-in Stripe Connect support with artist payout tracking, so galleries can sell work directly and pay artists from the platform.
- Public Artist Directory: Artists have persistent profiles across calls, reducing re-upload friction.
- Customizable Workflows: Submission forms, jury rubrics, and decision communications adapt to your process—no coding required.
Crafted Call is purpose-built for galleries managing multiple annual calls with professional jury review, public exhibitions, and integrated payments.
Want to see the full comparison? Check out Crafted Call vs EntryThingy or Crafted Call vs ArtCall for detailed feature breakdowns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper: EntryThingy or ArtCall?
For small calls (under 150 submissions): EntryThingy is cheaper. At 100 submissions, EntryThingy costs ~$300 vs. ArtCall's minimum $79–$199/month.
For medium calls (150–400 submissions): They're comparable. Break-even is roughly 250–300 submissions, depending on your ArtCall.org plan.
For large calls (500+ submissions): ArtCall.org is cheaper. At 500 submissions, EntryThingy costs ~$1,500, while ArtCall.org runs $199–$500/month.
Which has the best jury tools?
ArtCall.org by a significant margin. It offers multi-round voting, numeric scoring with normalization, and side-by-side comparison of submissions—essential for fair, transparent jury decisions. EntryThingy's jury tools are basic, designed for simple pass/fail reviews.
Can I migrate from EntryThingy to ArtCall (or vice versa)?
Neither platform officially supports data export in a structured format. Migrating requires manual work: exporting artist data from your current platform, then re-importing to the new one. Artwork images typically require re-uploading, especially on EntryThingy.
Does either platform publish exhibitions publicly?
EntryThingy: No. Accepted work is privately communicated; there's no public exhibition page.
ArtCall.org: Yes, but only on premium tiers. The exhibition page is SEO-friendly and includes artist names, images, and contact info—useful for marketing accepted work.
Which platform is more modern?
Both feel dated compared to SaaS platforms released in 2024–2025. EntryThingy prioritizes simplicity (which works for small calls), while ArtCall.org has more features but an older interface. Neither excels at modern, intuitive design.
Can artists create accounts and manage multiple submissions?
EntryThingy: No. Each submission is a one-off. Artists can't maintain a persistent profile across calls.
ArtCall.org: Partially. Artists can create accounts, but persistent portfolios are limited. On Crafted Call, artists maintain profiles automatically, reducing re-upload work.
Which integrates with Stripe Connect for artist payouts?
Only ArtCall.org on its highest-tier plans. EntryThingy has no built-in payment integration. If you need to pay artists for sold work directly through your submission platform, ArtCall's option is a key advantage—though Crafted Call ships this standard across all tiers.
Conclusion
EntryThingy wins on simplicity and cost for occasional, small calls. If you run one or two shows a year with under 200 submissions, it's hard to beat the transparency and zero-friction pricing.
ArtCall.org is the established choice for galleries running multiple annual calls with serious jury processes, needing robust scoring tools and exhibition publishing. The subscription cost is justified at scale.
But the field is shifting. Galleries are increasingly expecting modern UX, integrated sales tools, and artist portfolio persistence—gaps both legacy platforms struggle to fill. If you're selecting platform software in 2026, compare these three directly. Your choice will ripple through your operations for years.
Already on ArtCall? Switching is a five-minute job.
If you're reading this from inside an ArtCall account and wondering what migration looks like: Crafted Call's self-serve CSV import will bring every artist, submission, jury score, and image across in about five minutes. It's free on every plan — including the free tier — and you can keep your ArtCall account active during the switch.
See how the ArtCall migration works →
Ready to explore your options? Start with Crafted Call for galleries or dive into detailed feature comparisons.