GC Education Analytics K–12 Master Scheduler vs Prime Timetable

GC Education Analytics K–12 Master Scheduler is a browser-based tool for building and refining master schedules, from elementary cohorts to high school block schedules. It supports elementary, middle, high, K–8, and 6–12 configurations. Scheduling models include self-contained, departmentalized, partner/platooning, split-band, traditional daily, A/B block, 4x4 semester, trimester, team-based, modified block, rotating drop, and multiple-variant schedules. Users can place sections by cohort and automatically generate elementary Art, Music, and PE rotations for homerooms. Constraints include teacher-period locks, unavailable times, room requirements, and course priorities. Real-time conflict counts and placement logs show where sections landed or why placement was not possible. Teachers and courses can be imported from CSV, and schedules exported as CSV for an SIS or printing. The scheduler runs in the browser without accounts or servers, keeps school data on the user’s machine, and saves work in browser IndexedDB. It uses a background Web Worker and offers teacher, room, and master-grid review views. The page describes it as a free beta with no sign-up, installation, or cost.

Prime Timetable provides automatic and manual timetabling for schools, universities, and similar institutions. Users can schedule multiple weeks at flexible times, move timetable cards in master and individual views, and divide classes into groups for electives. Its generator can account for pinned cards and forbidden time slots, then optimize teacher and student loads, gaps, room use, and building moves. Timetables can be customized, accessed from any device, printed as master or individual schedules, and exported to formats and apps. Data can be imported by copy and paste. The maker says timetables are backed up every 24 hours and the service is used in over 120 countries. The free plan is for evaluation and includes a web app for all devices, premium support, and a 30-day trial period; it requires an internet connection. Commercial plans enable offline work. Basic is for small and medium schools with up to 40 teachers, while Premium is for larger and campus schools with up to 100 teachers. Both commercial plans offer a web app and premium support, with pricing dependent on the selected plan duration.