EMPOWER SIS vs ThinkWave
EMPOWER SIS
empowersis.com
ThinkWave
thinkwave.comSide by side
| Figure | EMPOWER SIS | ThinkWave |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | $2.75/mo |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 2 | 20 |
| Spec score · School Management Software | 7.3 (#31) | 8.7 (#5) |
| Headquarters | Niagara Falls, New York, United States | Sebastopol, California, United States |
| Integrations | The interfaces page lists LMS connections including Blackboard, Canvas, Moodle, and Schoology, plus gateways including PayPal Payflow Link, CardPointe, and Authorize.Net. | ThinkWave's blog says its gradebook integrates with Google Apps, Microsoft Teams and other digital tools. |
| Product | EMPOWER is a student information system for colleges and universities that connects students, faculty, alumni, and staff through one platform. | ThinkWave provides cloud-based school administration software with integrated teacher gradebooks and a free online gradebook. |
| Security | The website says the student self-service access can be configured with strict security controls. | The privacy policy states that ThinkWave uses SSL transmission encryption, password-protected accounts and Google App Engine hosting. |
| Support | EMPOWER describes support as including platform design, training, ongoing maintenance, and US-based customer support. | ThinkWave lists support by email for paid subscribers and publishes support videos, FAQs, and a quickstart guide. |
Plans
ThinkWave
- Free Solo GradebookFree
- School 1–15 students$17 a month
- School 16–35 students$32 a month
- Premium Gradebook — 151–175 teachers$32.95 a year
- Premium Gradebook — 126–150 teachers$33.95 a year
- Premium Gradebook — 101–125 teachers$34.95 a year
- Premium Gradebook — 76–100 teachers$35.95 a year
- Premium Gradebook — 51–75 teachers$36.95 a year
- Premium Gradebook — 20–50 teachers$37.95 a year
- Premium Gradebook — 10–19 teachers$38.95 a year
In their own words
EMPOWER SIS
EMPOWER SIS has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.
ThinkWave
ThinkWave is cloud-based school administration software combining student administration, grades, attendance, teacher gradebooks, and student and parent portal access. Teachers can post assignments and handouts, collect student work online, and upload files up to 25 MB each; the school system includes 100 GB of storage. It generates customizable report cards and transcripts from grades, comments, attendance, and custom student data. Grading options include points, letter, pass-fail, and custom scales, with assignment weighting and term averages. Schools can send messages and announcements by class, group, or school, including group email. ThinkWave also offers a free online gradebook. Its platforms include Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows. A free 30-day trial of the school administration software includes all features. ThinkWave says it uses password-protected accounts and SSL encryption, stores data in Google Cloud data centers, and does not sell user data. Paid subscribers can get email support; support videos, FAQs, and a quickstart guide are also listed.