Trusted by 500+ organisations running awards programmes worldwide:
Ditch download, upload, merge, repeat
You know the routine: download entries from one system, upload them to another for judging, then manually compile scores into spreadsheets. All while fielding “the site’s crashed and entries close tomorrow” emails.
Our awards management platform handles your entire awards program lifecycle in one place. Every submission, every score, every communication -organized, automated, and working when you most need it.
Sleek awards management software
First impressions matter. Clunky interfaces and intimidating forms can deter your best candidates before they even begin. With Zealous, applicants see sleek, intuitive design that reflects your standards.
A platform even your least tech-savvy judges can use effortlessly. No 70 tutorials needed. Just clean, professional design that makes you look good from the first click.
Zealous supports clarity for entrants, judges, and admins alike. That reliability has allowed the work to grow without becoming unsustainable.
Judy Holm, Founder and Director
The Global Climate Design Awards
Finally, judges who finish scoring
No more chasing judges for scores. Our awards judging software updates scores in real-time. Stop manually compiling spreadsheets or wrestling with formulas to calculate averages.
Watch scores update in real-time. Compare entries side-by-side without downloading a single file. Check judge progress instantly.
“All judges praised the platform for its sleek design, easy navigation and overall ease.”
– Imogen Bakelmun, UCL
Award management platforms should scale with your success
Growth should be celebrated, not feared. Yet scaling can be scary – will the system handle it? Can you add new categories? What about the costs?
With Zealous, add new categories instantly – no developer fees, no waiting, no “that’ll be £2,000 to add a field.” Scale up for peak season, scale down when quiet. Our platform flexes with your ambitions.
Run unlimited programs for the same fee.
Using the Zealous system took away 80% of my workload
Sue Ecclestone
Founder of the Holly Bush Award
Why organisations move their awards programmes to Zealous
We achieved a record number of entries and tripled our budget
Alasdair Hall-Jones
Global Director (The Marketing Society)
Your awards programme, stage by stage
Before launch
- Set up your branded programme page with logo, colours, and category details
- Define entry form fields and adjust them later if needed
- Configure criteria and score ranges for each judging round
- Create bespoke trackable links for marketing campaigns
- Test everything with your first 20 free entries
Entries open
- Accept multi-format submissions including video up to 4GB and 3D models
- Collect entry fees through Stripe with promo codes and early-bird rates
- Monitor incoming entries and revenue on your real-time dashboard
- Issue late-comer links for invited entrants who miss the deadline
Judging rounds
- Assign judges by expertise or category for each round
- Track judge progress live and send automated reminders
- Enable anonymous judging to hide entrant details from the panel
- Judges review on any device and resume exactly where they left off
- Download PDF judging packs for offline review when needed
Results and legacy
- Announce shortlists and winners on separate dates with staged results
- Generate winner galleries automatically from submission content
- Export data for board reports, press releases, or internal analysis
- Archive this edition so it builds your programme‘s public reputation
- Clone the programme for next year and adjust what‘s changed
The system is easy to use and intuitive for participants, judges and administrators. The dashboard allowed me to quickly manage the entire process.
Paola Lucente, Director
Procreate Project
Five ways to evaluate entries, configured to your programme
Mix and match evaluation methods across rounds. Different stages often need different approaches.
Zealous saved us days’ worth of time which has allowed us to expand the size and scope of our prizes.
Georgina Angus
The Sovereign Group
Launch your next awards programme this week
Join 500+ organisations already running recognition programmes on Zealous.
- Cancel anytime. Monthly billing, no annual lock-ins, no guilt trips.
- 20 free entries to test every feature before committing.
- Launch in under 48 hours with ready-made awards templates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is awards management software?
It‘s a platform that handles the full lifecycle of a recognition programme: collecting entries, managing judges, scoring against defined criteria, and publishing results. Instead of juggling email, spreadsheets, and file-sharing tools, everything lives in one place. Zealous covers submissions, multi-round judging, payments, and result announcements.
Can we run multiple categories with different judges for each?
Yes. Assign judges by category or expertise for each round. A judge reviewing architecture entries won‘t see the writing category unless you want them to. You can run unlimited programmes on a single subscription, so separate awards series don‘t cost extra either.
How does multi-round judging work on Zealous?
Set up as many rounds as your programme needs: screening, longlisting, shortlisting, finals. Each round can have its own judges, criteria, and score ranges. Entries progress through rounds without manual transfers. Our guide on running awards programmes covers this in detail.
What file types and sizes can entrants submit?
Entrants can upload images, video up to 4GB, audio, documents, and 3D models. They can also embed content from Vimeo, YouTube, and SoundCloud. Images use lossless compression, so judges see exactly what was uploaded. There are no storage restrictions or limits on files per entry.
Can judges review entries on their phone or tablet?
Yes. Zealous is fully responsive and works on any device. Judges can start on a laptop and continue on a tablet. For visual-heavy categories like photography or design, we recommend desktop for the larger screen. Judges resume exactly where they left off.
How do we keep judging anonymous and fair?
Anonymous judging mode hides entrant names and personal details automatically. Judges see only the submitted work and your defined criteria. Judges can skip entries they have a conflict of interest with. These features work together to protect the credibility of your results.
Can we announce shortlists and winners at different times?
Yes. Staged result announcements let you control exactly which rounds publish and when. Reveal the shortlist on your website this week and announce winners at the ceremony next month. Winner galleries are generated automatically from the submission content.
How does pricing work for awards programmes?
Pricing is based on submission volume, not the number of programmes or judges. All plans include unlimited programmes and unlimited support. Monthly billing with no lock-ins, or save 33% on an annual plan (starting April 2026). Commission applies to paid submissions through Stripe. See pricing for full details.
Can we collect entry fees and offer early-bird pricing?
Yes. Stripe integration lets you collect fees directly to your account. Set up promo codes for sponsors or partners, volume discounts for multiple entries, and early-bird rates. Commission is charged on paid submissions. Free entries incur no fee.
How quickly can we get help if something goes wrong?
Unlimited support is included on every plan at no extra cost. Live chat is available during UK business hours. Before you launch, Zealous offers a free pre-launch review to catch issues early for Pro plan members. Most organisers are up and running within 48 hours. Explore all features to see what‘s included.
Can we reuse our setup for next year‘s programme?
Yes. Clone your entire programme for the next edition, including categories, form fields, and criteria. Adjust what‘s changed, keep the rest. Past editions accumulate into a public archive that builds your programme‘s reputation over time. Read our entry management tips for more on running repeat programmes smoothly.
