Softwr

Software · head to head

Schoology vs Seesaw

Schoology logo

Schoology

Software

LMS that connects learning with the bigger picture

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Seesaw logo

Seesaw

Software

Student-driven digital portfolios and family communication

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: 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.; Seesaw seesaw Starter limited to 1 active class per teacher and 35 students maximum
  • They diverge on capability: Schoology covers Course management, Seesaw covers Digital portfolios.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Schoology and Seesaw actually diverge.

Attributes where Schoology and Seesaw differ
AttributeSchoologySeesaw
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
PlatformsWeb, IOS, AndroidWeb, IOS, Android, Chromebook
Founded20092013

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 Schoology

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

Only in Seesaw

  • Digital portfolios
  • Creative tools
  • Family messaging
  • Activity library
  • Assessment
  • Translation
  • Multimodal responses
  • Mobile apps

Both cover

  • Web support
  • IOS support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

Schoology

  • Course deliverynot Seesaw
  • Assessmentnot Seesaw
  • Collaborationnot Seesaw
  • Parent communicationnot Seesaw

Seesaw

  • Student portfoliosnot Schoology
  • Family communicationnot Schoology
  • Formative assessmentnot Schoology
  • Student voicenot Schoology

Where each one falls short

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

Seesaw

  • Seesaw Starter limited to 1 active class per teacher and 35 students maximum
  • Free tier only offers 35 activities and 5 multimedia items per post
  • No individual teacher subscriptions available; requires school or district purchase
  • Paid licenses start at $2,500 USD minimum per school or district

Pricing, plan by plan

Schoology

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

Seesaw

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Digital portfolios
    • Family messaging
    • Basic activities
  • Seesaw Plus$12/month
    • All free features
    • Advanced activities
    • Skill-based learning
  • Seesaw for Schools$undefined/month
    • Admin tools
    • Analytics
    • SSO

Which should you pick?

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

Choose Seesaw if

  • You need digital portfolios.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, IOS, Android, Chromebook.
  • You also want creative tools.
Seesaw review

Questions people ask

Is Schoology or Seesaw better?
Neither clearly leads. Schoology starts at Free and Seesaw at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Schoology or Seesaw?
Schoology starts at Free and Seesaw at Free.
Does Schoology or Seesaw run on more platforms?
Schoology runs on Web, IOS, Android. Seesaw runs on Web, IOS, Android, Chromebook.
Can I use Schoology for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Schoology best used for?
Schoology is most often used for course delivery, assessment, collaboration, parent communication. Of those, course delivery and assessment are not what Seesaw is typically brought in for.
What can Schoology do that Seesaw cannot?
Schoology covers Course management, Gradebook, Assessment builder, Discussion boards. Seesaw covers Digital portfolios, Creative tools, Family messaging, Activity library. Both handle Web support, IOS support, Android support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Seesaw: Is Seesaw free to use?

Seesaw offers a free tier called Seesaw Starter. Effective June 30, 2026, Seesaw Starter is limited to 1 active class per teacher, 35 students maximum, 35 activities, and 5 multimedia items per post. Paid plans are available for schools and districts only.

Source
Seesaw: What grade levels does Seesaw support?

Seesaw is designed for elementary education from pre-kindergarten through 6th grade. It serves as the only elementary Learning Experience Platform with award-winning tools for joyful, inclusive instruction.

Source
Seesaw: What new features are coming to Seesaw in 2026?

As of June 30, 2026, Seesaw Starter users gain AI-powered tools with included credits, Student Highlights Folders, and Post Visibility Settings to control who can see sensitive student work.

Source
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Schoology

More on Seesaw

Keep looking

Other head to heads