Product comparison · reviewed August 2026
ProtoGrants vs Submittable for public grant programs.
Submittable is an established hosted grant-management platform. ProtoGrants is an earlier-stage Microsoft Power Platform product delivered by Two Rivers Digital. The better fit depends on whether your priority is a mature off-the-shelf platform or a Microsoft-native foundation shaped around a specific public-program operating model.
Book a ProtoGrants walkthroughQuick answer
These products begin from different delivery models.
Submittable may fit better when a team wants a mature hosted platform with established form, review, collaboration, financial-tracking and reporting capabilities available now.
ProtoGrants deserves evaluation when a Canadian public organization wants the program record on Microsoft Power Platform, expects significant configuration or integration, and values a direct relationship with the senior team implementing it.
Side-by-side
Compare what is available, where it runs and who carries the change.
| Decision area | ProtoGrants | Submittable |
|---|---|---|
| Product model | A configurable Microsoft Power Platform solution provided and implemented by Two Rivers Digital. | A hosted grant-management platform configured within Submittable's product and service model. |
| Current public proof | The guided applicant flow creates and reads Dataverse records. Reviewer, payment and reconciliation surfaces are clearly labelled prototype or product direction. | Submittable markets full-lifecycle forms, workflows, collaboration, financial tracking and reporting as current platform capabilities. |
| Implementation relationship | Senior-led configuration, integration and sustainment can be scoped directly with the product builder. | Implementation and support follow the vendor's established platform, services and partner model. |
| Microsoft fit | Designed around Dataverse and Power Platform for organizations already governing Microsoft business applications. | A separate cloud platform that can be evaluated for integration with the organization's Microsoft estate. |
| Maturity | Earlier-stage product. Buyers should validate the current package, implemented scope and references with Two Rivers Digital. | Established product with a broad published customer and program footprint. |
When Submittable fits
Choose maturity and standardization when the platform model fits the program.
Submittable may be the stronger shortlist candidate when the required capabilities closely match its current product, the organization wants to launch through a mature hosted service, and a separate Microsoft-native data model is not a central requirement.
Its official grant-management material describes drag-and-drop forms, customizable review workflows, real-time collaboration, financial tracking and reporting. Those claims should still be tested against the buyer's accessibility, residency, security, integration, pricing and contracting requirements.
When ProtoGrants fits
Choose a Microsoft-native foundation when the operating model must be shaped with the system.
ProtoGrants may fit when Dataverse, Power Pages and Microsoft identity are already strategic, when program rules require meaningful configuration, or when intake, review and finance must connect to existing Microsoft business applications.
The trade-off is maturity. The public ProtoGrants proof is intentionally candid: final applicant submission is working; downstream reviewer, payment and reconciliation experiences require implementation and production validation.
Procurement questions
Ask both suppliers the same hard questions.
- Which capabilities are standard, configurable, custom or roadmap?
- Where will application data, files, logs and backups reside?
- How are conflicts, recusals, overrides and approval authority preserved?
- What accessibility evidence covers the applicant and staff experiences?
- How do approved awards reach finance, and how do payment exceptions return?
- Who owns upgrades, regression testing, integrations and operational support?
- What is the five-year cost, including implementation and internal administration?
Sources and limits
This comparison is opinionated, sourced and revisable.
Submittable capability descriptions were reviewed against its official grant-management page and official government grant-management page on August 4, 2026. Vendor claims are not independent verification.
ProtoGrants statements reflect the product demonstration and boundaries published on this site. Submittable is a trademark of its owner and is not affiliated with ProtoGrants or Two Rivers Digital.