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Zealous Logo

Contest & awards management software (built to save time).

Table of Contents

Zealous - 2026 Pricing, Features, Reviews & Alternatives

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Last updated: November 2025

Zealous overview

What is Zealous?

Zealous contest & awards management software makes you, your judges, and your applicant's lives easier with the following features:

Time-saving: Automate your entire process with one platform.

Money saving: Unlike other platforms, there are no hidden fees and you can cancel at any time with our flexible monthly packages. You won't be locked into year-long contracts here!

Multiplatform: Access submissions from any device; laptop, phone, tablet.

Real-time insights: With advanced submission tracking software.

Customisable applications: Easily design your entry form any way you like and allow users to upload their entries in any format, including, images, videos, text, documents, and 3D models.

Automated emails: Reduce communications overheads with automated emails sent to candidates at every step of the process.

Secure & compliant data handling: Zealous is custom-built to handle data securely ensuring we are CCPA & GDPR-compliant and secure.

Judges receive step-by-step automated emails with easy-to-follow instructions. They will be greeted with a visually delightful interface. They can process submissions in their own time, through multiple evaluation rounds. This is all done securely, with optional anonymity from any location on any device. You can even download PDF’s for offline judging (if required).

Scroll down to watch our demo video.

Key benefits of using Zealous

Start collecting contest entries in a few minutes.

Affordable monthly packages. (Cancel any time).

Customize the information you want from candidates including, text, images, videos, documents, 3D models and more.

Accept applications:

With optional and secure online payments.

Judge entries online:

Incremental automated emails to judges with simple and concise instructions.

Evaluate your selection:

Multiple evaluation rounds and anonymous criteria scoring.

Grow your impact:

Get real-time insights on your progress with our advanced submission tracking software.

Secure & Compliant:

Designed to uphold robust data protection standards, Zealous assures compliance with both CCPA in the USA and GDPR in the UK, safeguarding your contests and ensuring data security across all regions and territories.

Starting price

29flat rate /
per month

Alternatives

with better value for money

Zealous’s user interface

Ease of use rating:

Zealous reviews

Overall rating

4.7

/5

52

Positive reviews

98

%

Rating breakdown
  • Value for money
  • Ease of use
  • Features
  • Customer support
  • Likelihood to recommend8.81/10
Rating distribution

5

4

3

2

1

38

13

1

0

0

Pros
“Excellent customer support with good transparency about when they were available to help solve any technical issues.”
JB

Jeremy B.

PhD student

“We are really happy with our choice of using the platform Zealous to host the first edition of the XP Awards. It has been easy to setup and we had a great user experience.”
AR

Anna R.

Events Coordinator

“Our judges gave us some positive feedback after having used the platform as well. The team of Zealous has been super helpful and present throughout the entire process.”
AR

Anna R.

Events Coordinator

Cons
“This was a little disappointing to receive a warning that we have reached the free trial limit and our account was going to be frozen.”
SF

Stepanka F.

Artist and independent curator

“Some bugs within the website. A few applicants complained.”
EM

Ema M.

Director

“I suggested a warning pop up if a change would impact on current data, and I think this has now been implemented.”
LE

Laura E.

Communications and Audience Development Manager

Who uses Zealous?

Based on 52 verified user reviews.

Company size

Small Businesses

Enterprises

Midsize Businesses

Top industries

Arts and Crafts
Nonprofit Organization Management
Education Management
Higher Education
Others

Use cases

Contest
Admissions
Forms Automation
Grant Management

Zealous's key features

Most critical features, based on insights from Zealous users:

Entry management
Customizable questions
Judging management
Scoring
Customizable fields
Customizable forms

All Zealous features

Features rating:

Electronic payments
Customizable branding
Real-Time analytics
Landing pages/web forms
Awards management
Real-Time data
Forms management
SSL security
Categorization/Grouping
For marketers
Polls/Voting
Progress tracking
Promotions management
Reporting & statistics
Skills Contests (Photo, Essay, Design, etc)
Social promotion
Third-Party integrations
Workflow management
Entry Fee Processing
Entrant Management
Email reminders
Electronic Submission
Document review
Data import/export
Customizable templates
Contact management
Commenting/Notes
Blind Judging
Alerts/Notifications
Activity tracking
Activity dashboard
Access controls/permissions

Zealous alternatives

Zealous logo

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29

Per month

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Empty state illustration for "No pricing info"

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Free version
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Customer Support

Zealous pricing

Value for money rating:

Pricing plans

Pricing details:

Free plan
Free trial
Subscription

Free

0.00

Features included:

  • 1 Opportunity
  • Unlimited Drafts
  • Unlimited File Storage
  • Unlimited Judges
  • Unlimited Categories
  • 1 Round
  • Free Submissions Only
  • Branding & Vanity Domain
  • Livechat for Candidates
  • Automated Schedule & Emails
  • Customise Application Process
  • Real-time Analytics
  • Advanced Filter & Search
  • Download reports & entries
  • Help Files & Tours

Starter

29

Per month

Features included:

  • Unlimited Opportunities
  • Unlimited Drafts
  • Unlimited File Storage
  • Unlimited Judges
  • Unlimited Categories
  • 1 Round
  • Free & Paid Submissions
  • Branding & Vanity Domain
  • Livechat for Candidates
  • Automated Schedule & Emails
  • Customise Application Process
  • Real-time Analytics
  • Advanced Filter & Search
  • Download reports & entries
  • Bi-weekly Promotion
  • Invoicing & Refunds
  • Help Files & Tours

Pro

89

Per month

Features included:

  • Unlimited Opportunities
  • Unlimited Drafts
  • Unlimited File Storage
  • Unlimited Judges
  • Unlimited Categories
  • Unlimited Rounds
  • Free & Paid Submissions
  • Branding & Vanity Domain
  • Livechat for Candidates
  • Automated Schedule & Emails
  • Customise Application Process
  • Real-time Analytics
  • Advanced Filter & Search
  • Download reports & entries
  • Bi-weekly Promotion
  • Invoicing & Refunds
  • Multiple Criteria Scoring
  • Public Vote
  • 1 Hour Onboarding

Enterprise

427

Per month

Features included:

  • Unlimited Opportunities
  • Unlimited Drafts
  • Unlimited File Storage
  • Unlimited Judges
  • Unlimited Categories
  • Unlimited Rounds
  • Free & Paid Submissions
  • Branding & Vanity Domain
  • Livechat for Candidates
  • Automated Schedule & Emails
  • Customise Application Process
  • Real-time Analytics
  • Advanced Filter & Search
  • Download reports & entries
  • Bi-weekly Promotion
  • Invoicing & Refunds
  • Multiple Criteria Scoring
  • Public Vote
  • Dedicated Account Manager

User opinions about Zealous price and value

Value for money rating:

To see what individual users think of Zealous's price and value, check out the review snippets below.

“Excellent customer support with good transparency about when they were available to help solve any technical issues.”
JB

Jeremy B.

PhD student

“We are really happy with our choice of using the platform Zealous to host the first edition of the XP Awards. It has been easy to setup and we had a great user experience.”
AR

Anna R.

Events Coordinator

Zealous integrations (1)

Top integrations

Zealous support options

Typical customers

Freelancers
Small businesses
Mid size businesses
Large enterprises

Platforms supported

Web
Android
iPhone/iPad

Support options

Chat
Email/Help Desk
Knowledge Base
Phone Support
FAQs/Forum

Training options

Live Online
Documentation
Webinars
Videos
In Person

Zealous FAQs

Q. What type of pricing plans does Zealous offer?

Zealous has the following pricing plans:
Starting from: £29.00/month
Pricing model: Free, Subscription
Free Trial: Available | (No Credit Card required)

These products have better value for money


Q. Who are the typical users of Zealous?

Zealous has the following typical customers:
Freelancers, Large Enterprises, Mid Size Business, Non Profit, Small Business


Q. What languages does Zealous support?

Zealous supports the following languages:
English


Q. Does Zealous offer an API?

No, Zealous does not have an API available.


Q. What other apps does Zealous integrate with?

Zealous integrates with the following applications:
Stripe


Q. What level of support does Zealous offer?

Zealous offers the following support options:
Chat, Email/Help Desk, Knowledge Base, Phone Support, FAQs/Forum

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