Gradelink vs ThinkWave
Gradelink
gradelink.com
ThinkWave
thinkwave.comSide by side
| Figure | Gradelink | ThinkWave |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $16.67/mo | $2.75/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 4 | 20 |
| Spec score · School Management Software | 8.4 (#9) | 8.7 (#5) |
| Spec score · K-12 Student Information Software | 8.4 (#6) | 8.6 (#4) |
| Headquarters | Foothill Ranch, California, United States | Sebastopol, California, United States |
| Integrations | Listed included integrations include Apple School Manager, FACTS Tuition Management, Google Classroom, Microsoft School Data Sync, and NCEA reporting. | ThinkWave's blog says its gradebook integrates with Google Apps, Microsoft Teams and other digital tools. |
| Privacy | The terms state that Gradelink will not sell School Personal Information or use or disclose it for a commercial or marketing purpose. | ThinkWave says it does not sell student or other user data to third parties. |
| Product | Gradelink is a student information system with integrated school management, teaching, and learning tools. | ThinkWave provides cloud-based school administration software with integrated teacher gradebooks and a free online gradebook. |
| Security | The security overview says web and mobile connections use SSL encryption, backups run nightly to local and remotely encrypted storage, and schools have separate databases. | The privacy policy states that ThinkWave uses SSL transmission encryption, password-protected accounts and Google App Engine hosting. |
| Support | The SIS includes personalized phone and email support, staff training, help website access, and automatic software updates. | ThinkWave lists support by email for paid subscribers and publishes support videos, FAQs, and a quickstart guide. |
Plans
Gradelink
- Gradelink PaymentsFree
- SmartSend Pro add-on$16.67 a month
- EnrollMe add-on$20.83 a month
- Gradelink Student Information System$106 a month
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
Gradelink
Gradelink is a student information system combining school management, teaching, and learning tools. Academic features include attendance, class scheduling, gradebooks, lesson plans, report cards, standards-based grading, and transcripts. Student records can include demographic, medical, and photo information, as well as IEP tracking. Billing covers accounts receivable, billing statements, lunch and incidental billing, and multiple tuition rates. Listed integrations include Apple School Manager, FACTS Tuition Management, Google Classroom, Microsoft School Data Sync, and NCEA reporting. Google Classroom grade syncing is available at no additional charge, and ClassLink syncs rosters automatically. Gradelink includes personalized phone and email support, staff training, help-site access, and automatic software updates. It says school data imports and setup of report cards, GPA, attendance, terms, gradebooks, and transcripts take 5–10 business days after requested materials are received. The SIS subscription starts at $106/mo, with a $275 one-time setup fee shown. Its Student/Parent app for iOS and Android requires Gradelink Standard Service.
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.