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Open Response

osu-mc.github.io

Free plan WebWindowsmacOSLinuxAPISelf-hosted
Visit osu-mc.github.io
Spec score 8.7 #9 of 45 in Student Response Systems

What it is

Open Response is free, open-source polling software for real-time classroom engagement. Instructors can run polls with multiple-choice and multiple-answer questions, and participants receive live feedback through WebSockets. The project also lists quiz mode, grading, analytics, and role-based access for students, instructors, and administrators. It includes a RESTful API and a WebSocket server. Canvas compatibility comes through CSV export of participation and grades. Open Response is listed for web, Linux, macOS, and Windows, and institutions can self-host it on a server with Docker and Docker Compose. Its interface is described as responsive and mobile-ready. The project was founded in 2021 and is targeting small-scale beta testing in the 2026–2027 academic year. Several items remain incomplete or planned: open-ended, sketch, and location questions are unsupported; roster management and email notifications are in development; test coverage is incomplete; and WCAG 2.1 AA compliance and FERPA-related SSO work are pending.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Open Response is a free, open-source web-based classroom polling system intended to support real-time classroom engagement.Read 9 Oct 2026 · osu-mc.github.io
Audience
The project describes its intended users as students, instructors, and educational institutions.Read 9 Oct 2026 · osu-mc.github.io
Free plan
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · osu-mc.github.io
API
The software includes a RESTful API alongside a WebSocket server for real-time interactions.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Security
The project lists FERPA-compliant SSO integration as pending.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Support
The project directs users to its GitHub issues and discussions for questions and additional information.Read 9 Oct 2026 · osu-mc.github.io
License
The source code is licensed under GNU GPL version 3.0, which the repository says permits use, modification, and distribution under its terms.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Founded
2021Read 28 Sep 2026 · osu-mc.github.io
Access controls
The application lists role-based access control for students, instructors, and administrators.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Accessibility
The project says full WCAG 2.1 AA compliance is pending a complete audit.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Analytics
The project lists grading and analytics for polling sessions.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Availability
The project says it is targeting small-scale beta testing in the 2026–2027 academic year.Read 9 Oct 2026 · osu-mc.github.io
Canvas
Canvas compatibility is provided through CSV export of participation and grades.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Canvas integration
Canvas compatibility is provided through CSV export of participation and grades.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Development limits
The project lists incomplete test coverage and roster management and email notifications as still in development.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Live feedback
WebSockets support real-time classroom polling and live feedback.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Live polling
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · osu-mc.github.io
Mobile
The interface is described as responsive and mobile-ready, while mobile UX polish and expanded offline support remain planned.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Platform status
The project says it is targeting small-scale beta testing in the 2026–2027 academic year.Read 8 Oct 2026 · osu-mc.github.io
Question formats
The project lists multiple-choice and multiple-answer polling, and says open-ended, sketch, and location question types are not yet supported.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Question types
Implemented question types include multiple choice and multiple answer; open-ended, sketch, and location questions are listed as unsupported.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Quiz mode
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · osu-mc.github.io
Security status
FERPA-related security enhancements and SSO integration are listed as pending work.Read 9 Oct 2026 · osu-mc.github.io
Self-hosting
Institutions can deploy an instance on a server with Docker and Docker Compose.Read 9 Oct 2026 · osu-mc.github.io

Plans and prices

Open Response Free Free-to-use open-source classroom polling software Read 9 Oct 2026 · osu-mc.github.io

Every Open Response plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Provides real-time feedback through WebSockets.
  • Includes quiz mode, grading, and analytics.
  • Supports role-based access for students, instructors, and administrators.
  • Institutions can self-host using Docker and Docker Compose.
  • Canvas participation and grades can be exported as CSV.

Limits

  • Open-ended, sketch, and location questions are unsupported.
  • Roster management and email notifications are still in development.
  • WCAG 2.1 AA compliance and FERPA-related SSO are pending.
  • Small-scale beta testing is targeted for 2026–2027.

Who it suits

It is aimed at students, instructors, and educational institutions seeking classroom polling, including institutions that want to deploy their own instance. It may suit classes using multiple-choice or multiple-answer questions and Canvas CSV exports.

Verdict

Open Response covers live polling, quizzes, grading, and analytics, with self-hosting and a RESTful API. Its stated beta target and unfinished question types, accessibility work, and SSO are important considerations for institutions.

Where Specifiction places it

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