Version 2 is the biggest update we've ever shipped. It's not a collection of small improvements — it's a foundational change to how Pageant Pass works, built on everything we've learned from Directors and Candidates since launch.
The platform now runs as two distinct websites so Candidates can discover competitions without an account. National programs like Miss America and Royal American Miss have their own branded homes. Plans are simpler. Compliance sharing no longer requires anyone to create an account. And a new six-month free trial means new Directors can experience everything Plus has to offer before spending a dollar.
If you've been with us from the beginning, thank you — this release is built for you. If you're new, welcome to the version of Pageant Pass we always wanted to build.
This page answers the questions Directors and Candidates are most likely to have about what changed and what to do next.
General Questions
Is Pageant Pass at the same web address?
Mostly, but things are now split across two addresses depending on what you're doing.
- pageantpass.com — Browse and discover competitions. Anyone can visit without signing in.
- app.pageantpass.com — Your account. Directors manage competitions here; Candidates track applications, access paperwork templates, and manage their profile.
If you bookmarked the old address to sign in and find competitions, update it to app.pageantpass.com.
I compete in (or direct) Miss America or Royal American Miss. Has anything changed for me?
Yes — each of those programs now has its own dedicated website.
- Miss America system — missamerica.pageantpass.com
- Royal American Miss — royalamericanmiss.pageantpass.com
When you visit a program's address, you'll only see competitions in that program. The page reflects the program's own look and registration details. The main pageantpass.com address continues to list county fairs, festivals, and other independent competitions.
For Directors
My plan was called Standard — what's it called now?
It's now called Core. Nothing else changed — it's still free, and all your competitions, applications, and data are exactly as you left them. The name was simplified alongside the new Plus plan.
What's the difference between Core and Plus?
| Core | Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free, forever | $99/year, per Title |
| Create & manage competitions | ✓ | ✓ |
| Review applicants & record results | ✓ | ✓ |
| Export paperwork | ✓ | ✓ |
| Early registration pricing | ✓ | ✓ |
| Online entry fee payments (Square) | ✓ | |
| Compliance tracking & secure links | ✓ | |
| Judge's book script builder | ✓ | |
| Interview planner | ✓ |
Plus is billed per Title rather than account-wide — see Titles for how per-Title billing and plan management work. See Plans & Upgrading for full details.
I'm a new Director — do I have to pay for Plus right away?
No. New Directors can try Plus free for six months — no credit card required, no payment information needed. Pageant Pass sends reminders before the trial ends. When it expires, your account returns to Core automatically and nothing is charged.
Note — The previous "free year" promotion that used to apply at sign-up has been retired and replaced by this six-month trial. You claim it from your profile rather than it applying automatically.
See Plans & Upgrading for how to claim your trial.
What happened to the Collaborators I invited?
The Collaborator role no longer exists. It has been replaced by compliance links — a simpler, more secure way to give helpers access without requiring them to create an account.
What you need to do: Compliance links you previously shared are no longer valid. Go to your competition's Compliance Tracking page, generate a new compliance link, and email it to your helpers. When they click the link, they can view and check off compliance items immediately — no account, no password, no sign-up.
How does entry fee payment work now?
⭐ Plus feature — Online payments require a Plus plan and a connected Square account.
When a Candidate submits an application that includes a fee, Pageant Pass now sends them a branded confirmation email with a Pay Now button. Payment status updates automatically on your end — you no longer need to manually refresh the application to see whether payment came in.
This applies to all new applications. Existing unpaid invoices from before v2.0 are not affected and remain in Square for collection.
Can I offer a discounted price for early registrations?
Yes — on both Core and Plus. When setting up a competition, you can configure an early-bird entry fee and a deadline. Candidates who apply before the deadline are automatically charged the lower rate; those who apply after pay the standard fee. The application form shows which price applies before the Candidate submits.
For Candidates
Do I need an account to look for competitions?
No. Visit pageantpass.com to browse and search competitions without signing in. You only need to sign in at app.pageantpass.com to submit an application, track your existing applications, or access your profile.
How do I find competitions near me?
On program storefronts — like the Miss America system — the competition search now includes a State filter. Select your state to narrow the list. Competition cards also display a state or region label so you can see at a glance where each one is held.
On the main pageantpass.com search, you can filter by state or browse by program type.
I applied to a competition. How do I pay the entry fee?
After submitting, Pageant Pass emails you a confirmation that includes a Pay Now button if an entry fee is required. Click it to complete payment. Your application status updates automatically once payment is processed — you won't need to do anything else.
I noticed a lower price for registering early — what's that?
Some Directors offer an early-bird rate for Candidates who apply before a set deadline. When you open an application, the form clearly shows which price currently applies. If an early-bird deadline has passed, you'll pay the standard fee instead.
Quick Reference
What Was Removed
| What's gone | What replaced it |
|---|---|
| Collaborator role and invite-by-email | Compliance Links — no account required |
| "Standard" plan name | Renamed to Core — same free plan, new name |
| Free year sign-up promotion | Six-month free trial, claimed from your profile |
Links That Have Changed
| Before | Now |
|---|---|
| Sign in to browse competitions | Browse freely at pageantpass.com — no sign-in needed |
| Collaborator invite links | No longer valid — generate a compliance link from the competition dashboard |
| Miss America competitions | missamerica.pageantpass.com |
| Royal American Miss competitions | royalamericanmiss.pageantpass.com |
| All account work (competitions, applications, profile) | app.pageantpass.com |
See Also
| Page | Description |
|---|---|
| Plans & Upgrading | Compare Core and Plus, claim your free trial, and upgrade |
| Compliance Tracking | How Directors generate and manage compliance links |
| Using a Secure Compliance Link | For helpers — how to check off compliance items using a link |
| Finding Competitions | How Candidates search, filter, and bookmark competitions |
| Accepting Payments with Square | Connect Square to collect entry fees online |