Is Optimy a good alternative to Submittable?

Yes, if your program goes beyond collecting and reviewing applications. Optimy runs grants, sponsorship, volunteering and scholarships in one platform, with impact reporting built in and a specialist assigned to every account. If you only need submission management and want to self-serve, Submittable is lighter.

What's the main difference between Optimy and Submittable?

Scope and hosting. Optimy covers a full funding portfolio and lets you host your data in the EU or the US, with ISO 27001 certification. Submittable focuses on applications, submissions and giving, and stores data in the AWS US East region only.

How does eligibility screening compare between the two platforms?

Both screen applications before review. The difference is how far the rules go: Optimy applies eligibility rules automatically per applicant location and language, raises compliance flags before any funding decision, and ranks every remaining application against criteria you weight per program and per jurisdiction.

Does Submittable manage sponsorship programs?

Submittable does not list sponsorship among its program types; its public pages describe grants, workplace giving, employee volunteering and community grants. Sponsorship requests can be collected as submissions, but Optimy runs sponsorship as its own program, with its own approvals and reporting.

Can Optimy handle impact and ESG reporting?

Yes. Impact and ESG reporting is part of the platform rather than an export step, including alignment with CSRD, SFDR and the SDGs. Reporting runs across programs, so grants, sponsorship and volunteering appear in the same view rather than in separate spreadsheets.

Where is my data hosted with each platform?

With Optimy you choose between EU and US hosting, and the platform is ISO/IEC 27001 certified. Submittable states that it stores data in the Amazon Web Services US East (N. Virginia) region and completes an annual SOC 2 Type 2 audit; it does not publish an EU residency option.

Is it hard to switch from Submittable to Optimy?

Optimy states that data migration from legacy systems is available and that no setup costs and no developer are required. Typical deployment runs 3 to 6 weeks, and 6 to 8 weeks for large enterprises with several teams or brands, with a dedicated account manager and live training throughout.

How does pricing compare between Optimy and Submittable?

Optimy publishes a starting price of €650 per month and prices per module, so you pay for the programs you actually run. Submittable does not publish pricing and directs prospects to its sales team, which means a like-for-like comparison needs a quote from them first.

Which platform is better for European funders?

For funders bound by EU data residency requirements, Optimy is the more direct fit: hosting can sit in the EU, the platform is ISO 27001 certified, and CSRD and SFDR reporting are built in. Submittable serves European customers but hosts data in the United States.

What should I look for in grant management software?

Start with the criteria where platforms actually diverge: whether it handles programs beyond grants, how far eligibility and scoring rules can be configured, where your data is hosted, whether impact reporting is built in or exported, and whether you get a named contact.

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Optimy vs Submittable

Optimy vs Submittable: An Honest Comparison for Funding Teams

Optimy and Submittable are both grant management software, and both collect and review applications. They diverge on scope and on where your data sits. Optimy runs grants, sponsorship and volunteering as one portfolio, with screening and scoring you configure per program. Submittable is a US-hosted submissions platform, strong on fast self-serve launches.

Last updated:

August 19, 2026

340+

Funder organizations

Countries in operation

15 YRS

Built for funders since 2011

3-6

Weeks from kickoff to live

Quick Summary

Choose Optimy if...

You run grants alongside sponsorship or volunteering, you need eligibility rules and scoring configured per program, and your data has to stay in the EU.

See Optimy in Action

Choose Submittable if...

Collecting and reviewing applications is the whole job, you want to launch on your own without an implementation project, and US hosting is not a constraint for your organization.

AI Summary

Summarize this page with AI

Overview

Key Differences at a Glance

The seven criteria below are where the two platforms actually diverge. The rest of a grant management software checklist, both of them cover.

	Optimy	Submittable
Best for	Funders running grants, sponsorship and volunteering	Teams running application and submission programs
Program scope	Grants, sponsorship, volunteering, scholarships	Grants, submissions, giving, volunteering
Screening & scoring	Rules per applicant location, weighted criteria	Eligibility forms, reviewer scoring
Data hosting	EU or US, your choice, ISO 27001 certified	US only, AWS N. Virginia, SOC 2 Type 2
Support model	Dedicated program specialist, every account	Self-serve with support team
Pricing model	Published, from €650 a month, per module	Not published, quote on request
Customer rating	4.6 / 5 on Capterra, 42 reviews	4.5 / 5 on G2

Where They Differ

3 Key Differences That Matter

Screening and scoring you configure

Optimy applies eligibility rules per applicant location and ranks every application against criteria you weight yourself.

One portfolio, not just grants

Optimy runs sponsorship and volunteering next to grants, in one platform and one set of cross-program reports.

Your data can stay in the EU

Optimy hosts in the EU or the US at your choice and is ISO 27001 certified; Submittable stores data in AWS US East.

Features comparison

Full Features Breakdown

How the two platforms line up, feature by feature. Based on both vendors' public product pages, August 2026.

Features	Optimy	Submittable
Applications & review
Application forms	Smart Forms module	Drag-and-drop builder
Eligibility screening	Rules per location	Eligibility forms
Application scoring	Weighted per program	Reviewer scoring
Review panels	Blind, quorum logged	Reviewer portal
Applicant portal	Branded, status visible	Mobile-friendly
Programs & scope
Sponsorship management	Dedicated program	Not listed as a program
Grant management	Core product	Core product
Employee volunteering	Included	Volunteer product
Scholarships & awards	Included	Included
Corporate / community giving	Included	Impact Wallet
Budgets, reporting & impact
Budget tracking	Allocated to disbursed	Categories and payouts
Impact & ESG reporting	CSRD, SFDR, SDG	Impact reporting
Cross-program reporting	Included	Via global fields
Grantee progress reports	Deliverables tracked	Built-in reports
API and integrations	Included	Included
Security, data & support
Onboarding model	Guided, done-with-you	Self-serve + support
Security certification	ISO 27001	SOC 2 Type 2
Data hosting region	EU or US, your choice	US only
GDPR compliance	Built into platform	Tools, US residency
Program specialist	Every customer	Support team

The Platforms

What are Optimy and Submittable?

Optimy is a Belgian platform founded in Brussels in 2011. It runs grants, sponsorship, volunteering and community investment for funders and foundations. Submittable is a US platform for applications, submissions and giving programs, hosted in the US.

Choose Optimy if...

You run more than grants: sponsorship, volunteering and scholarships in one platform.
You need eligibility rules and weighted scoring set per program and per jurisdiction.
You want impact and ESG reporting built in, aligned with CSRD and SFDR.
You need your data in the EU, on an ISO 27001 certified platform.
You would rather pay per module than move up a plan to lift one limit.

Watch a Demo

Submittable may be a better fit if...

Collecting and reviewing applications is the whole scope of your program.
You want to launch on your own, without an implementation project.
You are US-based and EU data residency is not a requirement for you.

Who uses Optimy

What moving from Submittable to Optimy looks like

Most teams comparing the two are already running a program somewhere else. Here is what Optimy states about the move, so you can weigh the switching cost rather than guess at it.

Your records come across

Optimy states that data migration from legacy systems is available, so existing records can be brought over. Larger databases are scoped during onboarding.

No setup fee, no developer

Your forms, eligibility rules and review workflows are rebuilt with you rather than by you. Optimy states no setup costs and no developer needed to go live.

Live in 3 to 6 weeks

Typical deployment runs 3 to 6 weeks, and 6 to 8 weeks for large enterprises with several teams or brands. A dedicated account manager and live training are included.

Testimonials

What teams like yours achieved

Empowering 340+ organizations to run smarter grants, sponsorships and volunteering programs. Discover how Optimy helps customers save time, simplify workflows and grow their social impact.

Assemble

"Chez Assemble, agence de conseil en mécénat et engagement sociétal, nous concevons des appels à projets de bout en bout. Plusieurs de nos clients s'appuient sur Optimy pour cela. Le savoir-faire d'un côté, la technologie de l'autre : c'est cette combinaison qui transforme une mécanique en véritable levier de partenariat au bénéfice de l'intérêt général."

Dorothée CORBIER

Directrice associée

OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation

“I use the messaging tool all the time. It is particularly helpful to have a good overview of the programs we have done so far with a partner. If a team has changed, we can have continuity on the projects without losing history and visibility, it’s super efficient."

Frédéric Corbasson

Executive Director Europe & Middle-East

Veolia Environmental Trust

“The time saved with Optimy enables us to be more personable, tailoring our approach to the unique needs of each project, which has truly enhanced our relationships with applicants.”

Andrew Brown

Executive Director

Merck Family Foundation

"We really believe in maintaining individual relationships with each funded partner, and the system helps ensure that no detail is overlooked. The ease of accessing and sharing information has made our operations much more efficient."

Elisabeth Schmiedel

Grant Manager

Hatt-Bucher-Foundation

"With Optimy, we've reduced our workload by 40%, allowing us to take on new projects and better serve our community."

Christina Anderegg

Managing Director

Ascend Cares Foundation

“With Optimy's implementation, we witnessed a transformative shift in efficiency and transparency, empowering us to build strong workflows with ease. While challenges persisted during the rollout, we are confident our commitment to optimizing the platform will position us for success."

Krissy Osborne

Program Manager

Swiss Federation of Circus Schools

They have to apply for money and once they get money, they distribute it to the schools. They filled out the application form of our customer Stanley Thomas Foundation and they loved the process. Before it looked complex and outdated, but now they really liked it and are interested in our system for the second part of their activities (distributing money to applicants).

Anonymous

Karl Kahane Foundation

We have closed our first Optimy application cycle this Sunday and everything worked out well! One grantee from Israel has received an extended deadline (different reason) but for all the others it has worked very well and we have received feedback that it was intuitive and easy to navigate. This is great news for us! Thank you for your support!

Anonymous

Mutuelle Intégrance

"The choice of Optimy was a turning point for Mutuelle Intégrance. Its simplicity, speed, and intuitive design significantly improved our processes related to support requests, ensuring timely assistance to our members while adhering to strict quality standards and data protection regulations."

Patrice Pointillon

Responsable de l'Action Sociale

ABN AMRO Foundation

Optimy is reasonably priced, flexible, and comprehensive. It offers everything we need to manage our volunteering programs effectively, and the team behind Optimy is incredibly supportive and responsive.

Marielle Versluis

Social Impact Advisor

Stanley Thomas Johnson Foundation

"Optimy streamlined our intricate three-step evaluation process, ensuring accessibility for all users, from office staff to board members. Its user-friendly interface simplified our procedures, making it an essential tool for our foundation's success."

Myriam Vetsch

Head of Administration

Loterie Nationale

“The ease of use and flexibility offered by the Optimy solution allowed us to tailor it continuously. This adaptability is crucial to build our unique workflow with very strict processes to follow, as we are partially under Government control. I am very grateful to the Optimy team who never run out of solutions.”

Lauranne Lenoir

PSD Process Manager

Lexington Medical Center

"I've been a strong advocate for using a SaaS solution such as Optimy for a while, and I want to express my gratitude to the team that helped us bring this tool to life. Kate has been fantastic—always responsive and a pleasure to work with."

Thomas Tafel

Director of Community Health

Fondation Charcot

"Optimy has revolutionized our grant-making process, ensuring efficiency, seamless collaboration, and a smoother path to breakthroughs. Its added values include harmonizing candidate applications and reducing the risk of file loss."

Isabelle Bloem

CEO

Grameen Foundation

“We did not anticipate the level of difficulty for applicants to be able to fulfill the application process for our Innovation Grants. We needed to use a system with tighter validation yet very simple to fill in, and that is where we landed with Optimy … we are able to capture similar/comparable data across grantees as well as have all the data we need for impact analysis and reporting.”

Gigi Gatti

Sr. Director, Program Strategy & Learning

IDEMIA

“In terms of monitoring, measuring, and distributing/placing on the map, it's also extremely simple: one click and it's done. This is invaluable for us in terms of time management, both for the person reporting the project and for the person analyzing it afterwards.”

Marie-Louise Lemarchal

CSR Assistant

Iren

"Optimy solved our need to centralize everything on a single platform and ensure a single, linear and consistent process."

Iren

Communication and external relations - Brand strategy, Digital and Sponsorship

EM Normandie

All the small features allow you to manage everything from A to Z: from the student's file to the validation and actual payment of the scholarship.

Julien Soreau

Head of Balance and Inclusion Service/Associations and Activities Service Disability Group Manager of the Conférence des Grandes Ecoles

Fondation d'entreprise AG2R LA MONDIALE

The tool is easy to set up!

Donata Moriggi

Deputy General Secretary

Fondation Française des Jeux (FDJ)

Optimy makes things easier. We have a lot more requests thanks to the tool, which is very positive for us. The surface is nice and intuitive, there are always solutions, and it's always agile. We saved maybe half of the time, that's huge.

Celine Aubree Bafaro

Responsable Engagement Parties Prenantes

EPCOR

"We would refer Optimy to anyone who is looking for a great way to organize and streamline their community investment activities. Our team now has a much easier time managing corporate giving activities with Optimy’s system and customer service support."

Robyn Schommer

Senior Advisor of Community Investment

Engie Foundation

The Optimy software is the right solution for streamlining the request submission, we therefore operate with greater effectiveness by speeding up our procedures. And now, we can also manage projects overtime.

Nadège Lharaig

Project Manager

DOEN Foundation

We are new in this operation, and it's great to be able to do configurations ourselves. Optimy makes it possible to adjust our strategy and get things done that we would not even think would be possible without a system.

Yorrick Letterie

Sustainability Manager

Mainova

Generating data has become easier with Optimy.

Marina Bergner

Sponsorship and Sustainability Manager

Stiftung für Kunst, Kultur und Geschichte

Optimy is so flexible. You can always change the questions, the parts of the form.

Rahel Stauffiger

Support & Promotion

Primonial Foundation

We moved from manual work to digital with Optimy, which saves time for the whole team.

Clara Rigaud-Perut

Project Manager

ORPEA Foundation

Optimy is our tool to manage employee's engagement at ORPEA Foundation.

Inès de Bailliencourt

Project Manager

L'Oreal Foundation

Thanks to the Optimy solution, we manage the flow of requests, organise them by theme, receive a detailed project description, and can provide answers to all project submitters.

Andrea C

Project Coordinator

Total Foundation

With 100's of new projects funded every year, we've drastically reduced the amount of manual workload thanks to Optimy!

Anne V

General Secretary

Swiss Re foundation

No more guesswork! We now have a complete overview of the funds we allocate per year and whether we are dealing appropriately with the money that we are receiving by tracking our KPIs.

Elodie W

Senior Portfolio Manager

EDF Foundation

If we hadn't had Optimy, especially in 2020, it'd have been a nightmare because the call for projects generated more than 600 applications (complete files received)!

Véronique S

Project Manager

Eins Energie

"Optimy is a great holistic solution for sponsorship management and contributes to the digitalization of our work."

Carmen S

Corporate Communication Manager

Fondation Cœur & Recherche

The Optimy software is perfectly suited to our needs, especially for the management of the evaluation by our expert partners.

Elisabeth Riboud

Development Manager

Michelin Corporate Foundation

Just like Michelin, the Foundation’s standing is global and its ‘Helping people move forward’ signature illustrates its sponsorship projects’ human dimension, mediums of progress and social development.

Jean-Dominique Senard

President of the Executive Board

Alstom Foundation

The online submission tool has broadened the level of awareness, and we significantly increased the number of good projects submitted, they could easily find us and submit to us. Previously, by email, we received less than half of what we receive today.

Barry H

Secretary General

Mainova

“Optimy represents a great overall package consisting of an easy-to-understand program for daily use, as well as a friendly and always helpful support team.”

Marina B

Clerk for donations

Veolia Trust

If you are looking to make changes and improve your systems and processes to meet the needs of your applicants it’s definitely worth using Optimy to do that.

Elizabeth C

Head of Grants

Skandia

With Optimy, I can easily add questions to my forms and therefore receive applications that give me the information that I need. Today I can clearly see how many opportunities this tool has brought us.

Birgitta H

Project manager

Nordisk Haemophilia Foundation

The Optimy tool is created to adapt to foundations' needs. Optimy helped us to be more aligned across our projects, and I like that it's an online tool. With times we are living, the tool has a big positive impact on how we work as a team.

Xio F

Project Manager

Wasserman

"To digitally collect and centralize proposals makes the process more efficient. It's way better than having countless Excel documents and spreadsheets. The Optimy tool provides convenience to our clients as well as to us."

Jack R

Manager of Marketing Services

Capital Power

We went from 7 to 3 minutes per application! With such an increase in efficiency, the team can now focus their time and energy with our partners in local communities.

Lindsay C

Community Specialist

Golden Goal

"Once our clients set up a sponsorship process, they see that they need a tool to collect and select the right applications, and that is when we think of Optimy."

Sadi N

Sponsorship Manager

UNIL

The tool allows us to review more projects in a better way. It’s really useful to keep track of each project and track back the evaluation that was done. Now with Optimy, everything is very findable, and without the tool, we wouldn’t have managed.

Pablo D

Coordinator of the Commission

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

See if Optimy is the right fit for your program

Talk to a specialist about your grant, sponsorship or volunteering programs and see the platform against your own workflow, not a generic demo.

Watch a Demo

Related terms

The newest terms we've added, the words teams managing grants, sponsorship, and CSR come across most often.

Optimy vs Good Grants

A grants-only platform with published pricing and a free trial, against a multi-program funder portfolio.

Optimy vs Blackbaud

A fundraising ecosystem where grantmaking is one product, against a platform built for corporate funders.

Optimy vs Benevity

An employee engagement platform that moves money globally, against a funder-first portfolio. Compared on scope and grants.

Optimy vs Foundant

A family of grant products including SmartSimple, against one platform for grants, sponsorship and volunteering.

Optimy vs Fluxx

A grants-only platform for foundations, against one that also runs sponsorship and volunteering. Compared on scope and pricing.

Optimy vs SmartSimple

An enterprise platform priced with an implementation fee, against one configured in weeks. Compared on scope and setup.

Optimy vs Submittable

A US-hosted submission platform versus a European funder portfolio. Compared on scope, hosting, pricing and support.

Sources:

Submittable, Security & Compliance, Aug 2026 - AWS US East hosting, annual SOC 2 Type 2 audit.
Submittable, Pricing, Aug 2026 - no published figures.
Submittable, Grants and CSR pages, Aug 2026 - programs listed: grants, workplace giving, volunteering.
Optimy, Grant Management, Aug 2026 - eligibility rules per location, weighted criteria.
Optimy, Pricing - Start plan from €650 per month.
Optimy, Trust & Security - ISO/IEC 27001.