Softwr

LMS · head to head

Nearpod vs Whova

Nearpod logo

Nearpod

LMS

Interactive lessons that engage every student

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Whova logo

Whova

Webinars

Award-winning event management app

From
$1500/event
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Nearpod has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Nearpod free plan limited to 40 student joins per lesson, restricting larger classroom use; Whova mobile app experiences slow loading and occasional crashes during large events
  • They diverge on capability: Nearpod covers Interactive slides, Whova covers Event mobile app.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Nearpod and Whova actually diverge.

Attributes where Nearpod and Whova differ
AttributeNearpodWhova
Starting priceFree$1500/event
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, ChromebookWeb, iOS, Android
CategoryLMSWebinars

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), 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 Nearpod

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

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.

Nearpod

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

Whova

  • Event planningnot Nearpod
  • Ticket salesnot Nearpod
  • Attendee managementnot Nearpod
  • Virtual eventsnot Nearpod
  • Event marketingnot Nearpod

Where each one falls short

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

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

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

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

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 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

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 Nearpod or Whova better?
Neither clearly leads. Nearpod 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, Nearpod or Whova?
Nearpod has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Nearpod and $1500/event for Whova.
Does Nearpod or Whova run on more platforms?
Nearpod runs on Web, iOS, Android, Chromebook. Whova runs on Web, iOS, Android.
Can I use Nearpod for free?
Yes. Nearpod has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Whova starts at $1500/event.
What is Nearpod best used for?
Nearpod is most often used for interactive lessons, formative assessment, student engagement, virtual learning. Of those, interactive lessons and formative assessment are not what Whova is typically brought in for.
What can Nearpod do that Whova cannot?
Nearpod covers Interactive slides, Virtual reality, Gamification, Polls. Whova covers Event mobile app, Agenda management, Attendee networking, Live polling. Both handle Web support, Android support.

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
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
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
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
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
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
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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