Looking for a SmartSimple alternative? Submit.com is the fast-launch option for grantmakers
A clear, source-linked comparison of Submit.com and SmartSimple Cloud for teams running grant, scholarship, and awards programmes. See how each platform handles implementation, pricing, compliance, and configuration so you can choose with confidence.
Quick take: Submit.com vs SmartSimple
Submit.com is a purpose-built grant, scholarship, and awards management platform for local authorities, universities, foundations, and nonprofits that want configurable workflows without a long services-led build. SmartSimple Cloud is an established, highly configurable grants and CSR platform. On its own website, SmartSimple states it has recently joined forces with Foundant and GivingData.
Both tools manage the full grant lifecycle. They differ most on four things: how fast you can launch, how pricing is structured, whether configuration is self-serve or services-led, and how the two platforms position for UK and Ireland public sector buyers. This page summarises publicly available information for both products, sourced throughout. Where a detail is not publicly disclosed, we say so rather than guess.
Sources reviewed in this section
Submit.com and SmartSimple at a glance
Submit.com
- Pricing from €5,995 per year, with a custom quote based on programme volume, users, and modules.
- Purpose built for grant, scholarship, and awards management.
- UK G-Cloud 14 approved, Cyber Essentials certified, and GDPR compliant.
- No-code drag-and-drop workflow builder with pre-built templates.
- Multilingual applicant portals (per Submit.com: applicants can access the system in their own language).
- Public sector customers include Suffolk County Council, Westminster City Council, Dublin City Council, Cork City Council, Enterprise Ireland, and UCC.
- G2 Fall 2025 badges: Easiest to Use, Best Support (Small Business), and High Performer.
SmartSimple Cloud
- Pricing structure: one-time implementation fee plus recurring subscription (per SmartSimple’s pricing page). Specific figures are not publicly disclosed.
- Configurable cloud platform for grants, research, government funding, and CSR.
- Support: 24×5 with 24×7 critical support per SmartSimple’s UK G-Cloud listing.
- Per SmartSimple’s homepage, SmartSimple, Foundant, and GivingData have joined forces.
- Salesforce-native option available via the Salesforce AppExchange.
- Services-led implementation methodology refined over 20 years (per SmartSimple).
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Faster review cycles reported by grantmakers using Submit.com
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Programmes streamlined on Submit.com globally
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Approved supplier on the UK government Digital Marketplace
Why Submit.com stands out
If you are comparing Submit.com and SmartSimple, these are the five differences most buyers tell us made the decision. Each one is drawn from public vendor materials.
Five things that set Submit.com apart
Submit.com publishes a starting figure (from €5,995 per year). SmartSimple does not publish specific pricing.
Most Submit.com customers go live with their first programme within days using pre-built templates. SmartSimple’s methodology starts with a scoping phase.
Programme teams configure workflows themselves without IT tickets. SmartSimple is configuration based but typically services led.
UK G-Cloud 14, Cyber Essentials, and GDPR compliant. Live customers include Suffolk County Council, Westminster City Council, Dublin City Council, Cork City Council, and Enterprise Ireland.
Submit.com’s homepage states applicants can access the system in their own language. Useful for councils and funders serving Welsh, Polish, and other language communities.
Grants, scholarships, awards, permits, and broader submission workflows on a single platform.
We’ve got a slick, efficient grant process now. Happier team, way less paperwork. Going digital was not just a tech upgrade, it was a mindset shift, and it’s really made all the difference.
Beverley Davies, Grants & Programmes Manager, Suffolk County Council
Sources reviewed in this section
Submit.com vs SmartSimple: feature-by-feature comparison
The table below uses only claims that appear on each vendor’s own materials, the G2, Capterra, GetApp, and SourceForge listings, or the vendors’ UK G-Cloud submissions. Items that are not publicly disclosed are labelled accordingly.
| Dimension | Submit.com | SmartSimple |
|---|---|---|
| Core use case | Grant, scholarship, awards, and submission management for public sector, education, foundations, and nonprofits. | Grants, research funding, government funding, and CSR programmes on a configurable cloud platform. |
| Deployment model | Cloud-based SaaS. | Cloud-based SaaS, hosted on AWS per UK G-Cloud listing. |
| Starting price | From €5,995 per year. Custom quote based on programme volume, users, and modules. | Not publicly disclosed. Third-party listings reference variable starting figures; verify directly with SmartSimple. |
| Pricing structure | Annual subscription. Quote-based per programme. | Two components per SmartSimple’s pricing page: a one-time implementation fee plus a recurring subscription fee. |
| Workflow configuration | No-code drag-and-drop builder with pre-built templates. | “Completely based on configuration, not customization”, per SmartSimple’s UK G-Cloud listing. |
| Typical time to first programme | Most organisations launch their first programme within days using no-code templates. | Services-led methodology refined over 20 years. Begins with a scoping phase. |
| UK public sector procurement | Listed on UK G-Cloud 14. Cyber Essentials certified. GDPR compliant. | Listed on UK G-Cloud (service ID 381817298686710). |
| Multilingual applicant portal | Applicants can access the system in their own language (per Submit.com homepage). Suitable for councils serving Welsh, Polish, and other language communities. | 40+ languages listed on SmartSimple’s GetApp profile. Verify with the vendor. |
| Salesforce-native option | Not publicly disclosed. | Listed on the Salesforce AppExchange. |
| Integrations (publicly listed) | Includes Stripe for online payments. Full catalogue on Submit.com’s Platform page. | Third-party directory listings reference Salesforce, DocuSign, QuickBooks, Sage, Stripe, PayPal, Tableau, Power BI, Okta, Zoom, Microsoft Outlook, and others. Verify with SmartSimple. |
| API | API available (per Submit.com platform page). | API available (per SmartSimple and G-Cloud listings). |
| Support model | Ongoing customer support included. G2 “Best Support, Small Business, Fall 2025” badge listed on Submit.com. | Standard support included. Premium Support available. 24×5 with 24×7 critical support per SmartSimple’s UK G-Cloud listing. |
| Review signals (third party) | G2 Fall 2025 badges: Easiest to Use, Best Support Small Business, High Performer. | Reviews published on G2, Capterra, Software Advice, and GetApp. User feedback on third-party sites covers both positive and critical experiences. |
| Best fit | Teams wanting fast launch, transparent starting pricing, and procurement-ready UK and Ireland footprint, with self-serve configuration. | Teams with complex, research-heavy, or large-scale operational processes planning a services-led rollout and a potentially wider philanthropic product stack. |
Sources reviewed in this section
Best fit by team: Submit.com or SmartSimple?
Pick the team type closest to yours to see where Submit.com and SmartSimple each tend to suit.
Small grants team in a UK or Irish local authority
Submit.com is usually the faster route for local authorities. It is procurement ready on the UK G-Cloud 14 framework, Cyber Essentials certified, and GDPR compliant, and is already in production with Suffolk County Council, Westminster City Council, Dublin City Council, and Cork City Council. SmartSimple is also available through the UK G-Cloud marketplace. Ask both vendors to confirm which framework lot applies to your procurement route, and whether the named service covers the modules you need.
Large research institution or national research council
SmartSimple is often strong for heavy research workflows. It publishes a Research Grants Management solution with modules for reviewer management, attribute matching, scoring rubrics, and legal frameworks for awards. Submit.com supports research grant, scholarship, and fellowship workflows and is already used by higher education institutions including UCC and Oregon State University. For the largest and most complex research workflows, request a scoped demo from both vendors against your actual review rubric.
Foundation or corporate impact team
Submit.com suits foundations that want to move quickly. Foundations and corporate impact teams are a dedicated Submit.com sector. SmartSimple offers a CSR and employee giving solution. Following the combination of SmartSimple, Foundant, and GivingData, SmartSimple now sits within a wider philanthropic product family, which may be a strength or a variable depending on your appetite for navigating a consolidating vendor stack.
Small nonprofit
Submit.com is typically the better fit for small nonprofits. Submit.com advertises no-code setup and launch within days using pre-built templates, and publishes a starting price from €5,995 per year. SmartSimple’s methodology begins with a scoping phase and is typically services led, and SmartSimple does not publish specific starting pricing. Small teams without dedicated IT often favour the faster-start route. Verify with each vendor which resourcing model applies to your situation.
Sources reviewed in this section
Submit.com or SmartSimple? A 3-question check
Answer these three quick questions to see a general steer. This is a rule-of-thumb guide, not a recommendation. Always run a scoped demo with either vendor before deciding.
Tell us about your programme
1. How soon do you need your first programme live?
2. Do you have dedicated IT or implementation resource?
3. Are your workflows primarily…
Your steer
Workflows, reporting, and integrations
Both Submit.com and SmartSimple offer configurable, multi-stage workflows with role-based permissions. The main difference is who does the configuring and how quickly a change propagates.
Workflows
- Submit.com: drag-and-drop, no-code workflow configuration. Supports unlimited programmes, each with its own eligibility rules, review stages, scoring, and reporting. Programme teams can make changes without waiting on IT or a delivery partner.
- SmartSimple: branching logic, triggered automation, role-based access control, and “complex workflow” management on its Government Funding solution page. Positioned as “no programming or coding required” on SmartSimple’s UK G-Cloud listing.
Reporting
- Submit.com: real-time dashboards, downloadable reports, and audit trails. Designed to support GDPR and internal audit requirements.
- SmartSimple: “Report Builder Neo” is referenced on SmartSimple’s Government Funding page as a reporting engine for custom, outcomes-based reports.
Integrations
- Submit.com: publicly listed integrations include Stripe for online payments and fee collection. The full integrations catalogue sits on Submit.com’s API and Integrations page.
- SmartSimple: third-party directories (GetApp, SourceForge) reference integrations with Salesforce, DocuSign, QuickBooks, Sage Accounting, PayPal, Stripe, Tableau, Power BI, Okta, Zoom, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Excel, Oracle Fusion Cloud Financials, SAP Business One, Google Maps, Candid GuideStar, and SignEasy. Ask SmartSimple for a current, contractually supported integration list.
Sources reviewed in this section
Implementation and onboarding
Implementation style is the biggest practical difference between Submit.com and SmartSimple.
Submit.com advertises that most organisations launch their first programme within days using pre-built templates and the no-code builder. Timelines depend on workflow, form, approval, and reporting complexity, but the programme team can make changes directly.
SmartSimple publishes a services-led methodology that starts with a scoping phase to capture business processes, followed by a detailed project plan, waterfall or agile project management, and on-site or remote configuration. SmartSimple’s UK G-Cloud listing confirms pricing has two components: a one-time implementation fee for system build, plus a recurring subscription that includes support and maintenance.
Exact implementation length and cost vary by implementation for both vendors and are not publicly published.
Sources reviewed in this section
Submit.com pricing vs SmartSimple pricing
Submit.com publishes a starting price. SmartSimple does not. That is the simplest way to frame the pricing difference.
- Submit.com: from €5,995 per year. Custom quote per programme based on volume, user counts, and modules. Request a quote.
- SmartSimple: published structure is a one-time implementation fee plus a recurring subscription fee. Specific figures are not publicly disclosed on the SmartSimple pricing page.
Sources reviewed in this section
When to choose Submit.com
Choose Submit.com over SmartSimple if you want:
- Transparent starting pricing from €5,995 per year, with a quote based on your specific programme.
- A fast-start platform designed to get your first grant programme live in days using no-code templates.
- UK and Ireland procurement coverage with G-Cloud 14, Cyber Essentials certification, and GDPR compliance.
- A platform already used by public sector bodies including Suffolk County Council, Westminster City Council, Dublin City Council, Cork City Council, Enterprise Ireland, and UCC.
- Multilingual applicant portals for councils and funders serving Welsh, Polish, and other language communities.
- One platform across programme types: grants, scholarships, awards, and broader submission workflows.
- Self-serve configurability without large professional services fees for every change.
When SmartSimple Cloud may fit better
To be fair and transparent, SmartSimple is likely the better fit when:
- You run complex research grants programmes where SmartSimple’s Research Grants Management, Committee Manager, and attribute-matching reviewer assignment modules are directly relevant.
- You want a Salesforce-native deployment option, available via the Salesforce AppExchange.
- You prefer a services-led, deeply scoped implementation with a long-standing methodology and dedicated professional services teams.
- You need multi-language support spanning 40+ languages, as listed on SmartSimple’s third-party GetApp profile.
- You plan to adopt products across the combined SmartSimple, Foundant, and GivingData family.
Sources reviewed in this section
Frequently asked questions: Submit.com vs SmartSimple
Is Submit.com a good alternative to SmartSimple Cloud?
Yes. Submit.com and SmartSimple both manage the full grant lifecycle, covering application intake, review, scoring, awards, and reporting, for public sector bodies, foundations, universities, and nonprofits. Submit.com differentiates on transparent starting pricing (from €5,995 per year), speed to launch (within days using pre-built templates), and no-code self-serve configuration. SmartSimple differentiates on depth of services-led implementation, a Salesforce-native option, and broader language coverage on third-party profiles.
How much does Submit.com cost compared to SmartSimple?
Submit.com publishes a starting price from €5,995 per year, with a custom quote per programme. SmartSimple publishes that its pricing has two components, a one-time implementation fee plus a recurring subscription, but does not disclose specific figures on its pricing page. Request a written quote from both vendors based on your programme volume, users, and modules before comparing totals.
Does Submit.com support multilingual applicant portals?
Yes. Submit.com’s homepage states that applicants can access the system in their own language, which is particularly useful for UK and Irish councils serving Welsh, Polish, and other language communities. SmartSimple lists 40+ languages on its GetApp profile.
Can Submit.com support UK public sector procurement?
Yes. Submit.com states it is listed on UK G-Cloud 14, is Cyber Essentials certified, and is GDPR compliant. SmartSimple is also available via the UK G-Cloud marketplace.
Does SmartSimple integrate with Salesforce?
Yes. SmartSimple Cloud for Salesforce is listed on the Salesforce AppExchange. Submit.com’s Salesforce integration is not publicly disclosed at this level of detail.
How long does implementation take on Submit.com vs SmartSimple?
It varies by implementation for both vendors. Submit.com advertises first-programme launch within days using pre-built templates. SmartSimple publishes a services-led methodology starting with a scoping phase, refined over 20 years. Ask both vendors for a written scoping estimate for your specific programme.
Which platform is better for research grants?
SmartSimple publishes dedicated Research Grants Management features, including reviewer attribute matching, committee management, and legal framework tools. Submit.com supports research grant, scholarship, and fellowship workflows for higher education institutions including UCC and Oregon State University. For the most complex research programmes, request a scoped demo from both vendors against your actual review rubric.
Can Submit.com handle complex, multi-stage grant workflows?
Yes. Submit.com states it supports multi-stage, multi-year grant cycles with configurable eligibility, review, scoring, and reporting per programme. Ask Submit.com for a scoped demo against your highest-complexity workflow.
Does Submit.com replace spreadsheets end to end?
Yes. Submit.com positions itself as a single platform replacing spreadsheets and disconnected tools across application, review, award, payments, and reporting for grantmakers.
See Submit.com in action
Book a 15-minute demo and see how Submit.com handles your specific grant programme, from applicant intake through to post-award reporting. Pricing from €5,995 per year.
Sources reviewed
All SmartSimple claims on this page are drawn from publicly available materials published by SmartSimple Software Inc. or by independent third-party review directories. All Submit.com claims are drawn from Submit.com’s own website.