Softwr

Learning Management · head to head

Google Classroom vs Whova

Google Classroom logo

Google Classroom

Learning Management

Free, easy-to-use learning management for schools

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Whova logo

Whova

Webinar & Virtual Events

Award-winning event management app

From
$1500/event
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Google Classroom has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Google Classroom no SCORM or xAPI support for tracking learning analytics; Whova mobile app experiences slow loading and occasional crashes during large events
  • They diverge on capability: Google Classroom covers Class management, Whova covers Event mobile app.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Google Classroom and Whova actually diverge.

Attributes where Google Classroom and Whova differ
AttributeGoogle ClassroomWhova
Starting priceFree$1500/event
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierYesNo
CategoryLearning ManagementWebinar & Virtual Events
Founded19982012

Identical on both: platforms (Web, iOS, Android), 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 Google Classroom

  • Class management
  • Assignments
  • Gradebook
  • Google Meet
  • Google Drive integration
  • Originality reports
  • Mobile app
  • Parent summaries

Only in Whova

  • Event mobile app
  • Agenda management
  • Attendee networking
  • Live polling
  • Virtual sessions
  • Zoom
  • Salesforce
  • HubSpot

Both cover

  • Web support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

Google Classroom

  • Class managementnot Whova
  • Assignment distributionnot Whova
  • Gradingnot Whova
  • Communicationnot Whova

Whova

  • Event planningnot Google Classroom
  • Ticket salesnot Google Classroom
  • Attendee managementnot Google Classroom
  • Virtual eventsnot Google Classroom
  • Event marketingnot Google Classroom

Where each one falls short

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

Google Classroom

  • No SCORM or xAPI support for tracking learning analytics
  • Limited quiz types, relying on Google Forms instead of native assessment tools
  • No rubric-based grading workflow for detailed feedback
  • Minimal built-in analytics and no discussion forums for asynchronous engagement
  • Tightly dependent on Google Workspace ecosystem with limited third-party integrations

Whova

  • Mobile app experiences slow loading and occasional crashes during large events
  • Limited customization options to align with specific event branding needs
  • Notification overload can overwhelm attendees with too many messages
  • Default privacy settings include contact sharing concerns and data hosting in the US

Pricing, plan by plan

Google Classroom

Free
  • Education FundamentalsFree
    • Classroom, Docs, Gmail, Meet, Forms, Chat
    • 100 TB pooled storage
  • Google Workspace for Education Plus$5/month
    • Advanced features
    • Dedicated support

Whova

$1500/event
  • Basic$1500/event
    • Event app
    • Agenda builder
    • Networking
  • Professional$3000/event
    • Virtual event support
    • Gamification
    • Analytics
  • Enterprise$6000/event
    • Custom development
    • API access
    • Dedicated support

Which should you pick?

Choose Google Classroom if

  • You need class management.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want assignments.
Google Classroom review

Choose Whova if

  • You need event mobile app.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want agenda management.
Whova review

Questions people ask

Is Google Classroom or Whova better?
Neither clearly leads. Google Classroom starts at Free and Whova at $1500/event, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Google Classroom or Whova?
Google Classroom has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Google Classroom and $1500/event for Whova.
Does Google Classroom or Whova run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, iOS, Android, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Google Classroom for free?
Yes. Google Classroom has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Whova starts at $1500/event.
What is Google Classroom best used for?
Google Classroom is most often used for class management, assignment distribution, grading, communication. Of those, class management and assignment distribution are not what Whova is typically brought in for.
What can Google Classroom do that Whova cannot?
Google Classroom covers Class management, Assignments, Gradebook, Google Meet. Whova covers Event mobile app, Agenda management, Attendee networking, Live polling. Both handle Web support, Android support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Google Classroom: How much does Google Classroom cost?

Google Classroom is free with Google Workspace for Education. Advanced AI features via Gemini Pro add-on cost $24 per user per month, and Google Workspace for Education Plus costs $5-$8 per user per month.

Source
Whova: How much does Whova cost?

Whova uses a quote-based pricing model. Final cost depends on event size, frequency, and features required. Contact their sales team for customized pricing.

Source
Google Classroom: What are the limitations of Google Classroom compared to full LMS platforms?

Google Classroom lacks SCORM or xAPI support, has limited quiz types relying on Google Forms, no rubric-based grading workflow, minimal built-in analytics, and no discussion forums for asynchronous student interaction.

Source
Whova: Does Whova offer a free tier or trial?

Whova does not publish a permanent free plan, but offers no per-ticket registration fees for free events. A demo/trial is available by request.

Source
Google Classroom: Can Google Classroom be customized for advanced course structures?

Google Classroom is not ideal for modular or branching content and offers limited customization compared to full LMS platforms like Moodle or Canvas.

Source
Whova: What platforms does Whova support?

Whova provides native apps for iOS and Android covering 97% of mobile users, plus a web portal accessible from any device including browsers on laptops and desktops.

Source
Google Classroom: Does Google Classroom integrate with Microsoft 365 or other SIS platforms?

Google Classroom is tightly integrated with Google Workspace and depends on Google Meet. Integration with other systems like Microsoft 365 or specific SIS platforms is limited.

Source
Whova: Does Whova integrate with other tools?

Yes, Whova integrates with Zoom, Slack, and Mailchimp through Zapier for automation, enabling seamless data flow between platforms without manual data entry.

Source
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