A flexible, transparent submission management platform for arts and creative organisations — without the per-application fees.

Dapple is a flexible submission management platform with flat monthly pricing and a visual interface, while Acceptd is an audition and application platform built around per-application fees, often $35 or more per applicant.
Acceptd has built a strong reputation in the performing arts world, particularly for conservatoires, universities and audition-based programmes. Founded over a decade ago, it offers application collection, adjudication, scheduling, and a recruitment network backed by a dedicated support team.
Acceptd's platform however, is built on older technology, and it shows. The interface, workflow tools, payments and flexibility haven't kept pace with what modern submission management software can do.
Dapple covers the same core workflow — application collection, review, and adjudication — but adds a modern dashboard, instant payments, flexible workflows, inbuilt AI functionality and a native Claude integration. Most importantly, Dapple does not charge per application.
How much does Acceptd cost compared to Dapple?
Acceptd typically charges around $35 per application plus a transaction fee. Dapple charges no per-application fee at all, just a simple flat monthly fee starting from as little as $49/m.
For programmes that receive a high volume of applications, Acceptd's model can lead to skyrocketing fees very quickly. On Dapple, the same volume is covered within a single monthly plan.
This difference matters most for high-volume teams that need cost predictability across each cycle.
How does Dapple's kanban board help with audition management?
Dapple's visual kanban board shows every applicant as a card — complete with headshot, name, and status — moving through stages like Submitted, Shortlisted, Auditioned, and Offered. For audition-based programmes, this turns a long spreadsheet of names into a visual roster your team can scan at a glance.
What makes Dapple's judging experience better than Acceptd's?
Dapple's judging interface is designed to be intuitive and slick from the first use — panels can use rubric scoring, comment, vote and move through applicants with no training required, on screens optimised for long docs, high-resolution images and video.
Can Dapple automate our application workflows?
Yes — Dapple's stage-based automations let you build the exact workflow your programme needs, automatically sending applicants to review panels, sending emails, or updating tags as they progress through stages.
How flexible are filters, sorting and tags in Dapple?
Dapple gives admins granular control over how applications are organised, with filters, sorting and custom tags available across every programme — so panels can break down a large applicant pool however they need to.
What makes Dapple's dashboard more modern than Acceptd's?
Dapple is built with a fresh, modern UI designed to be easy to navigate from the first sign-in. Setup is fast thanks to an AI form builder and industry-specific templates, so new programmes can go from blank page to live application form in minutes rather than hours. For reporting, Dapple's Claude MCP integration lets you generate graphs, charts, and custom analysis on demand, all from your own Claude account.
Side by side
Compare the top-level costs and features across both platforms.
| Cost | ✦ Dapple | Acceptd |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level paid plan | $49/month (500 applications) | N/A |
| Growth Plan (inc large files/video) | $179/month (2500 applications) | N/A |
| Per-application fee | None (covered by plan) | $35 per application (typical, varies by org agreement) |
| Transaction / processing fee | 3.9% + $0.65 (Stripe fees included) | 3.5% |
| Payout speed | Instant, via Stripe Connect | Subject to platform payout schedule |
| Onboarding fee | Free | Setup/onboarding support included but tied to annual contract |
| Monthly billing option | ✓ All plans | Typically annual invoicing |
| Free trial / test account | ✓ | Demo only (request a demo) |
| Feature | ✦ Dapple | Acceptd |
|---|---|---|
| Workflow & Management | ||
| Instant payouts via Stripe Connect | ✓ | — |
| Visual kanban boards | ✓ | — |
| Headshot-led applicant cards (great for auditions) | ✓ | ✓ |
| All projects on one screen (project hub) | ✓ | — (per-program dashboards) |
| Duplicate projects in one click | ✓ | — |
| Submission & creator tags | ✓ | — |
| Stage-based automations | ✓ Growth+ | Limited |
| 1:1 messaging with applicants | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automated draft reminders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Multi org and team | ✓ | ✓ (Enterprise) |
| Advanced permissions | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audition & Scheduling | ||
| Audition scheduling tools | — | ✓ (in-person & virtual scheduling) |
| Audition calendar | — | ✓ |
| Live video auditions (AuditionRoom) | — | ✓ |
| Discovery / recruitment directory for applicants | — | ✓ (Acceptd Directory — reach varies) |
| Judging & Review | ||
| Multi-stage review panels | ✓ | ✓ |
| Custom scoring criteria / rubrics | ✓ | ✓ |
| Collaborative adjudication | ✓ | ✓ |
| Forms & Applicant Experience | ||
| AI form generator | ✓ | — |
| Customised branded forms | ✓ | Limited customisation |
| Conditional logic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Modern visual interface | ✓ | — (legacy UI) |
| Applicant accounts (status, history, withdraw) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pricing & Commercials | ||
| Pay-per-application fees | None | ✓ ($35+ per application) |
| Transparent published pricing | ✓ | — (quote-based) |
| Analytics & Integrations | ||
| Claude MCP integration | ✓ | — |
| Built-in analytics dashboard | ✓ | ✓ |
| API integration / data export | ✓ | ✓ |
| Support | ||
| Live chat support | ✓ All plans | — |
| Dedicated account manager | ✓ | ✓ |
*Acceptd does not publish platform pricing; figures reflect typical per-application charges reported by customers and publicly available information as of June 2026. All Dapple data based on current published pricing.
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