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LMS · head to head

ClassDojo vs Microsoft Start

ClassDojo logo

ClassDojo

LMS

Build amazing classroom communities

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Microsoft Start logo

Microsoft Start

News

Your personalized news feed powered by Microsoft

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: ClassDojo the AI homework helper, the 2,000 plus digital book library, detailed progress reports, memory albums and calendar sync are all restricted to the paid ClassDojo Plus subscription; Microsoft Start no pricing information available
  • They diverge on capability: ClassDojo covers Behavior tracking, Microsoft Start covers Personalized news.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ClassDojo and Microsoft Start actually diverge.

Attributes where ClassDojo and Microsoft Start differ
AttributeClassDojoMicrosoft Start
Pricing modelfreemiumfree
PlatformsWeb, IOS, AndroidWeb, Ios, Android, Windows
CategoryLMSNews
Founded20111975

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in ClassDojo

  • Behavior tracking
  • Parent messaging
  • Class story
  • Student portfolios
  • Dojo points
  • Translation
  • School story
  • Mobile app

Only in Microsoft Start

  • Personalized news
  • Topic following
  • Weather updates
  • Sports scores
  • Finance news
  • Microsoft Edge
  • Windows 11
  • Microsoft Account

Both cover

  • Web support
  • Android support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

ClassDojo

  • classroom communication and behavior trackingnot Microsoft Start
  • teacher-parent communicationnot Microsoft Start
  • student engagement toolsnot Microsoft Start

Microsoft Start

  • Daily newsnot ClassDojo
  • Topic trackingnot ClassDojo
  • Weather updatesnot ClassDojo
  • Quick informationnot ClassDojo

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

ClassDojo

  • The AI homework helper, the 2,000 plus digital book library, detailed progress reports, memory albums and calendar sync are all restricted to the paid ClassDojo Plus subscription
  • ClassDojo Plus is sold to families rather than to schools, so parents pay for the premium tier
  • The Plus page publishes no monthly or yearly price, only a 7 day free trial
  • No pricing is published for the school leader or district offerings

Microsoft Start

  • No pricing information available
  • Service appears to be consumer-facing rather than commercial product
  • No pricing model published

Pricing, plan by plan

ClassDojo

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Behavior points
    • Messaging
    • Class story
  • Plus$7.99/month
    • All free features
    • Beyond School
    • Dojo Islands
  • School$undefined/month
    • School story
    • Admin tools
    • Analytics

Microsoft Start

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Personalized news feed
    • Topic following
    • Cross-device sync

Which should you pick?

Choose ClassDojo if

  • You need behavior tracking.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, IOS, Android.
  • You also want parent messaging.
ClassDojo review

Choose Microsoft Start if

  • You need personalized news.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Windows.
  • You also want topic following.
Microsoft Start review

Questions people ask

Is ClassDojo or Microsoft Start better?
Neither clearly leads. ClassDojo starts at Free and Microsoft Start at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, ClassDojo or Microsoft Start?
ClassDojo starts at Free and Microsoft Start at Free.
Does ClassDojo or Microsoft Start run on more platforms?
ClassDojo runs on Web, IOS, Android. Microsoft Start runs on Web, Ios, Android, Windows.
Can I use ClassDojo for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is ClassDojo best used for?
ClassDojo is most often used for classroom communication and behavior tracking, teacher-parent communication, student engagement tools. Of those, classroom communication and behavior tracking and teacher-parent communication are not what Microsoft Start is typically brought in for.
What can ClassDojo do that Microsoft Start cannot?
ClassDojo covers Behavior tracking, Parent messaging, Class story, Student portfolios. Microsoft Start covers Personalized news, Topic following, Weather updates, Sports scores. Both handle Web support, Android support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

ClassDojo: Is ClassDojo free?

Yes, ClassDojo core platform is free for teachers forever; the service is positioned as a free tool for educators without required payment.

Source
Microsoft Start: How much does Microsoft Start (MSN) cost?

Microsoft Start (formerly MSN.com) is a free service with no subscription required. The platform provides news, weather, and personalized content at no cost to users.

Source
ClassDojo: What is ClassDojo Plus and how much does it cost?

ClassDojo Plus is the premium tier; specific pricing details are not published on the ClassDojo website and require direct inquiry with the company.

Source
Microsoft Start: Does Microsoft Start offer any paid services or premium features?

Microsoft Start does not publish any paid tiers or premium features. The service is entirely free to access and use without any payment or subscription.

Source
ClassDojo: Are parents charged to use ClassDojo?

ClassDojo does not charge parents for the service; the free platform includes parent-teacher communication features at no cost to families.

Source
Microsoft Start: Are there ads on Microsoft Start?

Microsoft Start provides personalized news and content free of charge. Any advertising present on the service helps support the free platform offering.

Source
ClassDojo: Why is ClassDojo free if there's a premium tier?

ClassDojo offers free core features to teachers to drive adoption; premium features for advanced needs or professional development are available as paid add-ons.

Source
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