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LMS · head to head

Nearpod vs Podia

Nearpod logo

Nearpod

LMS

Interactive lessons that engage every student

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Podia logo

Podia

LMS

Sell online courses, memberships, and digital downloads

From
$42/month
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; Podia mover tier charges 5% transaction fees on all sales; higher tiers offer fee-free processing
  • They diverge on capability: Nearpod covers Interactive slides, Podia covers Course hosting.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Nearpod and Podia actually diverge.

Attributes where Nearpod and Podia differ
AttributeNearpodPodia
Starting priceFree$42/month
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, ChromebookWeb
Founded20122014

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (LMS).

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 Podia

  • Course hosting
  • Digital downloads
  • Memberships
  • Email marketing
  • Webinars
  • Community
  • Affiliate marketing
  • Custom website

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Nearpod

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

Podia

  • Content creators selling digital courses with email marketing integrationnot Nearpod
  • Coaching businesses managing memberships and community spacesnot Nearpod
  • Newsletter publishers monetising subscriber base with events and digital productsnot 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

Podia

  • Mover tier charges 5% transaction fees on all sales; higher tiers offer fee-free processing
  • Mover plan capped at 50 products maximum; Shaker at 150 products; only Earthquaker offers unlimited
  • Video storage limited by plan: 500 videos (Mover), 1,000 (Shaker), unlimited (Earthquaker)
  • Email subscriber limits tiered: 100 (Mover), 500 (Shaker), 1,000 (Earthquaker); overage model not stated
  • Annual billing required for all plans with 72-hour refund window; partial refunds excluded

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

Podia

$42/month
  • Mover$42/month
    • Up to 100 email subscribers
    • 5% transaction fees
    • 50 products
  • Shaker$84/month
    • Up to 500 email subscribers
    • No Podia fees
    • 150 products
  • Earthquaker$150/month
    • Up to 1,000 email subscribers
    • No Podia fees
    • Unlimited products

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 Podia if

  • You need course hosting.
  • You also want digital downloads.
Podia review

Questions people ask

Is Nearpod or Podia better?
Neither clearly leads. Nearpod starts at Free and Podia at $42/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Nearpod or Podia?
Nearpod has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Nearpod and $42/month for Podia.
Does Nearpod or Podia run on more platforms?
Nearpod runs on Web, iOS, Android, Chromebook. Podia runs on Web.
Can I use Nearpod for free?
Yes. Nearpod has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Podia starts at $42/month.
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 Podia is typically brought in for.
What can Nearpod do that Podia cannot?
Nearpod covers Interactive slides, Virtual reality, Gamification, Polls. Podia covers Course hosting, Digital downloads, Memberships, Email marketing. Both handle Web 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
Podia: How much does Podia cost?

Podia offers three plans: Mover at $42/month, Shaker at $84/month, and Earthquaker at $150/month. All plans include a 30-day free trial and can be billed monthly or annually with cost savings on annual billing.

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
Podia: Does Podia charge transaction fees?

Yes, the Mover plan charges 5% Podia transaction fees. Higher tiers (Shaker and Earthquaker) include no Podia fees. However, all plans are subject to payment processor fees of 2.9% + 30 cents per transaction.

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
Podia: Is there a free trial for Podia?

Yes, Podia offers a 30-day free trial. No credit card is required to start the trial, allowing you to explore all features before deciding on a plan.

Source
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