BookWidgets vs LodeStar
BookWidgets
bookwidgets.comLodeStar
lodestarlearning.comSide by side
| Figure | BookWidgets | LodeStar |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $12.42/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 5 |
| Spec score · Interactive Lesson Makers | 8.6 (#8) | 7.8 (#18) |
| Headquarters | Lummen, Belgium | Stillwater, Minnesota, USA |
| Privacy | The privacy policy says personal data is processed under applicable data protection law, including GDPR, and that platform data is stored on servers in the European Economic Area. | The authoring-tool privacy notice says LodeStar Learning does not collect or share personal information, while trial requests store contact details and subscribe the requester to its mailing list with an opt-out. |
| Purpose | BookWidgets is an internet-based content creation and evaluation tool for teachers to create interactive activities and auto-graded assignments. | LodeStar is desktop eLearning authoring software for educators and instructional designers to create interactive courses, branching scenarios, case studies, and accessible learning activities. |
| Security | The privacy policy says the company uses technical and organizational measures to protect personal data and has a breach response plan. | The download page states that LodeStar 12 for Mac is security signed and notarized. |
| Trial | BookWidgets offers a free 30-day trial with the ability to create as many widgets as desired. | A free 14-day trial is offered for Windows and Mac, including Intel-based and Apple Silicon Mac downloads. |
Plans
LodeStar
- Single Educator License - Annual Subscription License$149 a year
- Individual Training Seat$249, paid once
- Single Educator License - Perpetual License$249, paid once
- Single Government/Not-For-Profit License - Perpetual License$549, paid once
- Single Corporate License - Perpetual License$649, paid once
In their own words
BookWidgets
BookWidgets is a content creation and evaluation tool for teachers to build digital exercises and activities and share them with students. Its library has over 40 widget types, including quizzes, worksheets, games, and interactive activities. Quiz, Video Quiz, Worksheet, and Split Worksheet activities offer 36 question types, 30 of which can be automatically graded. Teachers can use activities for formative or summative assessment, monitor progress, and collect, review, grade, and return work with feedback. LMS integrations include Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams, Canvas, Moodle, Schoology, Blackboard, Brightspace, itslearning, and Smartschool. Through a connected LMS, teachers can monitor students in real time and synchronize grades. Students can access activities through a web link, LMS, QR code, or short code without logging in to BookWidgets. A free 30-day trial offers unlimited widget creation. Without an active subscription, users cannot create or edit widgets, and LMS integrations stop working.
LodeStar
LodeStar has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.