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LMS · head to head

Nearpod vs Schoology

Nearpod logo

Nearpod

LMS

Interactive lessons that engage every student

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Schoology logo

Schoology

LMS

LMS that connects learning with the bigger picture

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Nearpod free plan limited to 40 student joins per lesson, restricting larger classroom use; Schoology schoology (now PowerSchool's Schoology Learning) gates its full feature set behind a separate Enterprise package; the free version is a limited LMS tier, per the vendor's own archived K-12 page (2019), with no dollar figure published for the Enterprise upgrade.
  • They diverge on capability: Nearpod covers Interactive slides, Schoology covers Course management.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Nearpod and Schoology actually diverge.

Attributes where Nearpod and Schoology differ
AttributeNearpodSchoology
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, ChromebookWeb, IOS, Android
Founded20122009

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Schoology

  • Course management
  • Gradebook
  • Assessment builder
  • Discussion boards
  • Resources library
  • Parent portal
  • Analytics
  • Mobile app

Both cover

  • Web support
  • IOS support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

Nearpod

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

Schoology

  • Course deliverynot Nearpod
  • Assessmentnot Nearpod
  • Collaborationnot Nearpod
  • Parent communicationnot 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

Schoology

  • Schoology (now PowerSchool's Schoology Learning) gates its full feature set behind a separate Enterprise package; the free version is a limited LMS tier, per the vendor's own archived K-12 page (2019), with no dollar figure published for the Enterprise upgrade.

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

Schoology

Free
  • BasicFree
    • Course management
    • Assignments
    • Gradebook
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • SIS integration
    • Analytics
    • Standards alignment

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 Schoology if

  • You need course management.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, IOS, Android.
  • You also want gradebook.
Schoology review

Questions people ask

Is Nearpod or Schoology better?
Neither clearly leads. Nearpod starts at Free and Schoology at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Nearpod or Schoology?
Nearpod starts at Free and Schoology at Free.
Does Nearpod or Schoology run on more platforms?
Nearpod runs on Web, iOS, Android, Chromebook. Schoology runs on Web, IOS, Android.
Can I use Nearpod for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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 Schoology is typically brought in for.
What can Nearpod do that Schoology cannot?
Nearpod covers Interactive slides, Virtual reality, Gamification, Polls. Schoology covers Course management, Gradebook, Assessment builder, Discussion boards. Both handle Web support, IOS 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
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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