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Software · head to head

Kahoot vs Nearpod

Kahoot logo

Kahoot

Software

Make learning awesome with game-based quizzes

From
$19/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Nearpod logo

Nearpod

Software

Interactive lessons that engage every student

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Nearpod has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Kahoot pro Start tier limited to 50 participants per session; hosting 200+ participants requires Pro Standard or higher; Nearpod free plan limited to 40 student joins per lesson, restricting larger classroom use
  • They diverge on capability: Kahoot covers Quiz games, Nearpod covers Interactive slides.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Kahoot and Nearpod actually diverge.

Attributes where Kahoot and Nearpod differ
AttributeKahootNearpod
Starting price$19/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionUnknown
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsCloud-based SaaS, Mobile apps (iOS, Android)Web, iOS, Android, Chromebook

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown), founded (2012).

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 Kahoot

  • Quiz games
  • Surveys
  • Puzzles
  • Word clouds
  • Live games
  • Self-paced challenges
  • Question bank
  • Zoom

Only in Nearpod

  • Interactive slides
  • Virtual reality
  • Gamification
  • Polls
  • Open-ended questions
  • Draw It
  • Collaborate board
  • Schoology

Both cover

  • Reports
  • Microsoft Teams
  • Google Classroom
  • Canvas
  • Web support
  • IOS support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

Kahoot

  • Educators using gamified quizzes and interactive content for classroom engagementnot Nearpod
  • Businesses using Kahoot 360 for employee training and engagement with commercial-use licensingnot Nearpod

Nearpod

  • Interactive lessonsnot Kahoot
  • Formative assessmentnot Kahoot
  • Student engagementnot Kahoot
  • Virtual learningnot Kahoot

Where each one falls short

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

Kahoot

  • Pro Start tier limited to 50 participants per session; hosting 200+ participants requires Pro Standard or higher
  • AI features only available in Pro Ultra tier ($79+/month); document processing and AI capabilities gated behind premium pricing

Nearpod

  • Free plan limited to 40 student joins per lesson, restricting larger classroom use
  • Paid plans require annual commitment with limited monthly flexibility
  • Advanced collaboration features restricted to district/school level plans
  • VR features depend on student device compatibility

Pricing, plan by plan

Kahoot

$19/month

No published plan breakdown. See the Kahoot review.

Nearpod

Free
  • SilverFree
    • 300 MB storage
    • 40 student joins per lesson
    • 22,000+ library resources
  • Gold$159/year
    • 1 GB storage
    • 75 student joins per lesson
    • AI Question Generator
  • Platinum$397/year
    • 5 GB storage
    • 90 student joins per lesson
    • Student notes capability

Which should you pick?

Choose Kahoot if

  • You need quiz games.
  • You work on Cloud-based SaaS, Mobile apps (iOS, Android).
  • You also want surveys.
Kahoot review

Choose Nearpod if

  • You need interactive slides.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, Chromebook.
  • You also want virtual reality.
Nearpod review

Questions people ask

Is Kahoot or Nearpod better?
Neither clearly leads. Kahoot starts at $19/month and Nearpod at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Kahoot or Nearpod?
Nearpod has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $19/month for Kahoot and Free for Nearpod.
Does Kahoot or Nearpod run on more platforms?
Kahoot runs on Cloud-based SaaS, Mobile apps (iOS, Android). Nearpod runs on Web, iOS, Android, Chromebook.
Can I use Nearpod for free?
Yes. Nearpod has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Kahoot starts at $19/month.
What is Kahoot best used for?
Kahoot is most often used for educators using gamified quizzes and interactive content for classroom engagement, businesses using kahoot 360 for employee training and engagement with commercial-use licensing. Of those, educators using gamified quizzes and interactive content for classroom engagement and businesses using kahoot 360 for employee training and engagement with commercial-use licensing are not what Nearpod is typically brought in for.
What can Kahoot do that Nearpod cannot?
Kahoot covers Quiz games, Surveys, Puzzles, Word clouds. Nearpod covers Interactive slides, Virtual reality, Gamification, Polls. Both handle Reports, Microsoft Teams, Google Classroom, Canvas.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Nearpod: What is included in Nearpod's free plan?

The free Silver plan includes 300 MB storage, 40 student joins per lesson, and access to core features with 22,000+ library resources.

Source
Nearpod: Can I import existing presentations into Nearpod?

Yes, you can upload PowerPoints, Google Slides, and PDFs to make them interactive with Nearpod's tools.

Source
Nearpod: Does Nearpod integrate with learning management systems?

Yes, Nearpod integrates with Canvas, Google Classroom, Schoology, Blackboard, and other LMS platforms with single sign-on and rostering support.

Source
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