Looking for a simpler alternative to ZAPP?
EntryThingy offers transparent pricing, direct PayPal payments, and modern jury tools without the complexity. Here's an honest comparison for galleries and art organizations.
Free migration from ZAPP • No credit card required
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | EntryThingy | ZAPP |
|---|---|---|
| Setup/Onboarding fee | ✓ $0 | ✗ $500-1,500+ |
| Per-submission pricing | ✓ $3 per submission | ~ Per-application fees vary |
| Annual subscription fee | ✓ $0 | ✗ Hosting fees apply |
| Direct PayPal payments | ✓ Direct to your account | ✗ Platform-processed, monthly payout |
| Modern, intuitive interface | ✓ Built in 2024 | ~ Legacy system |
| Best suited for | ✓ Galleries, exhibitions, juried calls | ✓ Large art fairs, festivals |
| Artist discovery platform | ✓ 166K+ artists | ✓ Large fair-focused network |
| Blind jurying | ✓ | ✓ |
| Custom submission forms | ✓ | ✓ |
| Booth/exhibitor management | - Not applicable | ✓ Floor plans, logistics |
| Mobile-friendly | ✓ Fully responsive | ~ Some pages |
| Free data migration | ✓ We do it for you | - N/A |
Pricing: The Real Cost
EntryThingy
Pay only when you receive submissions. No hidden fees.
ZAPP (ZApplication)
Designed for large art fairs with high volumes.
💰 EntryThingy is significantly more affordable for galleries running standard juried calls
ZAPP's pricing model is designed for large-scale art fairs, not typical gallery exhibitions.
User Experience
EntryThingy
- Modern interface built with current web standards
- Fully mobile-responsive on all devices
- Simple setup - launch a call in minutes
- Direct PayPal payments - money goes straight to you
- Designed for galleries - focused on exhibitions and calls
ZAPP (ZApplication)
- Complex setup - requires onboarding and configuration
- Robust for fairs - booth management, floor plans
- High-volume capable - handles thousands of applications
- Platform holds payments - monthly payout schedule
- Overkill for galleries - designed for large festivals
Different Platforms for Different Needs
While both platforms serve the art community, they're optimized for different use cases:
EntryThingy: Gallery-Focused
Built specifically for galleries, exhibitions, and juried art calls. Our 166,000+ artist network is actively looking for gallery opportunities, residencies, and exhibition calls.
ZAPP: Fair-Focused
Designed primarily for large art fairs, festivals, and outdoor exhibitions. The platform and its artist network are optimized for high-volume, event-based applications with booth logistics.
What galleries switching from ZAPP say
“We were paying thousands in setup fees to ZAPP for a simple gallery exhibition. EntryThingy was exactly what we needed - simple, affordable, and designed for galleries like us.”
“Getting our entry fees immediately through PayPal instead of waiting for monthly payouts made a huge difference for our cash flow. EntryThingy just makes more sense for our operation.”
When ZAPP Might Still Make Sense
We believe in honest comparisons. Here are scenarios where ZAPP could be a better fit:
- Large art fairs: If you run a large outdoor art fair or festival with hundreds of exhibitors and need booth management, floor plans, and exhibitor logistics
- Very high volume: If you process thousands of applications and need enterprise-level infrastructure designed specifically for festival-scale events
- Festival focus: If your organization primarily runs outdoor festivals rather than traditional gallery exhibitions
For most galleries running juried exhibitions, EntryThingy offers a better fit at a fraction of the cost.
Switching is Easy
Worried about migrating from ZAPP? We make it painless.
Contact Us
Let us know you're migrating from ZAPP
We Do The Heavy Lifting
We'll help transfer your artist data and setup your account
Launch Your First Call
Set up your call for entry in minutes, not hours
Free migration assistance for all organizations switching from ZAPP
Common Questions
Is ZAPP the same as ZApplication?
Yes, ZAPP (often styled ZAPP or ZApplication, and sometimes called ZAPPlication) is the submission platform used primarily for art fairs and festivals. The official name is ZAPP, developed by WESTAF.
Which is better for galleries - EntryThingy or ZAPP?
For most galleries running juried exhibitions, EntryThingy is the better choice. It's more affordable, easier to set up, and designed specifically for gallery workflows. ZAPP is optimized for large art fairs and festivals with complex exhibitor management needs.
How do payments work differently?
EntryThingy sends payments directly to your PayPal account immediately when artists submit. ZAPP processes payments through their platform and issues payouts on a monthly schedule, which can affect cash flow.
Can I migrate my ZAPP data to EntryThingy?
Yes. We offer free data migration from ZAPP. We can help transfer your artist database and historical information to get you started quickly on EntryThingy.
Why is ZAPP more expensive?
ZAPP's pricing reflects its enterprise-level infrastructure designed for large-scale art fairs processing thousands of applications. For smaller galleries, this level of complexity and cost is often unnecessary. EntryThingy provides the features galleries actually need at a much lower price point.
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* This comparison is based on publicly available information and feedback from galleries who have used both platforms. ZAPP and ZApplication are trademarks of WESTAF. EntryThingy is an independent platform not affiliated with ZAPP. Pricing and features subject to change. Last updated January 2026.