ClassDojo
ClassDojo is a comprehensive school communication platform that connects teachers, students, and families through real-time messaging, digital portfolios, and positive reinforcement tools to build supportive classroom communities.
Hapara
Hapara is an instructional management platform that helps you create visible, differentiated, and safe digital learning experiences for students using Google Workspace for Education or Microsoft 365.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | ClassDojo | Hapara |
|---|---|---|
| Website | classdojo.com | hapara.com |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Custom |
| Starting Price | Free | Custom Pricing |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 7 days free trial | ✓ 0 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✓ Has free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✘ No product demo | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2011 | 2011 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, USA | Auckland, New Zealand |
Overview
ClassDojo
ClassDojo helps you create a positive culture by allowing you to encourage students and communicate with families instantly. You can share photos, videos, and announcements on Class Story or send private messages to any parent without sharing your personal phone number. It transforms the classroom experience into a shared journey where parents feel connected to their child's daily learning and successes.
You can also empower your students to showcase their work through digital portfolios, giving them a voice and a place to take pride in their growth. The platform is designed to be simple and accessible, working across all devices to ensure every family can participate regardless of the technology they have at home. It is currently used in 95% of K-8 schools in the United States.
Hapara
Hapara provides you with a bird's-eye view of student digital activity to make personalized instruction manageable. Instead of guessing how students are progressing, you can see their screens in real-time, track their Google Drive activity, and provide instant feedback directly within their documents. It simplifies the complexity of managing a 1:1 device classroom by organizing student work into manageable tabs and folders.
You can protect your students with web filtering and monitoring tools that alert you to potential wellness concerns or inappropriate content. The platform also allows you to deliver differentiated lessons by grouping students and pushing out specific resources to each group simultaneously. It is designed specifically for K-12 schools and districts looking to maximize their investment in cloud-based productivity suites while keeping students focused and safe.
Overview
ClassDojo Features
- Positive Feedback Give students instant encouragement for skills like teamwork and persistence with customizable digital points and fun avatars.
- Class Story Post photos, videos, and important updates to a private feed so families can see what is happening in your classroom.
- Instant Messaging Message any parent safely with automatic translation into over 35 languages to ensure every family stays informed.
- Student Portfolios Allow your students to upload photos and videos of their work to digital portfolios that parents can view and celebrate.
- Classroom Tools Access a built-in toolkit featuring a timer, random group maker, and noise meter to help you manage daily activities.
- Big Ideas Videos Share research-backed videos with your students to teach essential social-emotional skills like growth mindset and empathy.
Hapara Features
- Hapara Dashboard. View all student work across Google Workspace in one screen so you can track progress without opening individual files.
- Highlights Screen Monitoring. See what your students are doing on their screens in real-time to keep them focused and provide immediate assistance.
- Guided Browsing. Control the digital environment by opening specific tabs for your students or locking their browsers to approved websites.
- Workspace Lesson Builder. Create and deliver highly personalized learning paths by grouping students and sharing differentiated resources in a visual space.
- Student Wellness Alerts. Receive automated notifications when the system detects language related to self-harm, cyberbullying, or violence in student digital work.
- Digital Backpack. Give your students a centralized hub where they can access all their digital textbooks, assignments, and resources in one place.
Pricing Comparison
ClassDojo Pricing
- Unlimited messaging
- Class and School Stories
- Student digital portfolios
- Full classroom toolkit
- Positive feedback points
- Translation in 35+ languages
- Everything in Free, plus:
- Detailed progress reports
- Home feedback points
- Customizable home avatars
- Unlimited Memory storage
- Premium kids' content
Hapara Pricing
Pros & Cons
ClassDojo
Pros
- Completely free for teachers and schools forever
- Incredibly easy for non-technical parents to use
- Automatic translation bridges communication gaps with families
- Visual points system highly motivates younger students
Cons
- Points system may feel repetitive for older students
- Frequent prompts for parents to upgrade to Plus
- Limited advanced grading or traditional LMS features
Hapara
Pros
- Provides excellent visibility into student Google Drive activity
- Simplifies the process of differentiating assignments for groups
- Real-time screen monitoring effectively reduces classroom distractions
- Seamless integration with existing Google Workspace for Education
Cons
- Initial setup requires coordination with district IT administrators
- Occasional lag when viewing many student screens simultaneously
- Learning curve for mastering the Workspace lesson builder