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.
Lightspeed Classroom
Lightspeed Classroom is a classroom management software that helps you monitor student screens, push URLs, and keep students focused on learning during digital lessons in real-time.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | ClassDojo | Lightspeed Classroom |
|---|---|---|
| Website | classdojo.com | lightspeedsystems.com |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Custom |
| Starting Price | Free | Custom Pricing |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 7 days free trial | ✘ No 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 | 1999 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, USA | Austin, USA |
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.
Lightspeed Classroom
Lightspeed Classroom helps you regain control of your digital learning environment by providing real-time visibility into student activity. You can see exactly what every student is doing on their device, whether they are in the physical classroom or learning remotely. This visibility allows you to identify students who are off-task or struggling and provide immediate support without disrupting the rest of the class.
You can manage your digital classroom with ease by pushing specific URLs to all student devices, locking screens for eyes-up instructions, and closing distracting tabs remotely. The platform integrates directly with your existing school directory and learning management systems, ensuring your class lists are always up to date. It is designed specifically for K-12 environments to ensure digital tools remain productive and safe for every student.
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.
Lightspeed Classroom Features
- Live Screen Monitoring. View all student screens in real-time from your dashboard to ensure everyone stays focused on the assigned lesson.
- Tab Control. Close distracting browser tabs on student devices remotely to bring their attention back to the relevant learning material.
- URL Sharing. Push specific websites or resources to your entire class instantly so everyone starts on the same page without typing.
- Screen Locking. Lock student devices with a custom message to get immediate 'eyes-up' attention for important verbal instructions or transitions.
- Student Messaging. Send private messages to individual students to provide discreet redirection or support without calling them out in front of peers.
- Web Rules. Create custom allow-lists for your specific class period to restrict browsing to only the sites needed for your lesson.
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
Lightspeed Classroom 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
Lightspeed Classroom
Pros
- Real-time visibility into student browsing habits
- Easy integration with Google Classroom and Microsoft Teams
- Simple interface that requires very little technical training
- Effective remote management for hybrid or distance learning
Cons
- Occasional lag in screen updates on slower networks
- Pricing is not transparent for small private schools
- Requires consistent agent installation on all student devices