ClassDojo vs TalkingPoints

ClassDojo connects teachers, families, and children around learning at school and at home. Teachers can share photos, videos, messages, and class updates, and use feedback points to recognize student skills and behaviors. Private teacher-family messaging supports direct communication. The free ClassDojo plan costs nothing and includes teacher messaging, class points, and class story updates. Plus adds Homework Helper, access to more than 2,000 Magic Books stories, and the option to automatically add school events to a Google or Apple calendar. The subscription can be shared with up to three other grown-ups. ClassDojo is available on the web, iOS, and Android, and teachers can use it alongside Google Classroom. The latest app requires iOS 17 or later or Android 8 or later; Kindle devices are no longer supported. ClassDojo says it complies with COPPA, FERPA, and GDPR in Europe, and that it does not share user or student information with advertisers or marketers.

TalkingPoints is a PreK–12 family engagement platform for communication between schools and families. Educators and families can exchange messages, including through SMS text, and the service translates messages into more than 150 languages using AI and human translator support. Individual teachers can use translated messaging for free, with in-app tips and guidance for building relationships. Families can use the free website or iOS and Android apps; text replies are available at schools with a paid plan. Optional district offerings address attendance improvement, district communications, and academic improvement. Message Mentor helps educators draft and improve family messages. TalkingPoints integrates with Clever, ClassLink, and other student information systems for rostering. Schools and districts can use organization-wide deployment with administrative controls and integrations, with quote-based pricing. The service offers professional learning in person, virtually, or in blended formats. TalkingPoints says it encrypts data in transit and at rest, restricts access to designated users, and does not sell or rent personal information or use it for advertising or commercial purposes. The listed free plan for individual teachers costs nothing.