Groupboard vs Padlet Sandbox

Groupboard is a shared online whiteboard with real-time chat and a message board. People can open it through a supplied link, and its contents remain after all users log off. It works in HTML5-capable browsers, including iOS and Android browsers, without plugins or downloads. Paid hosted plans allow embedding the board in web pages and use of a JavaScript API to control and customize it; self-hosted versions can be installed on a customer's server. The interface is translated into Dutch, French, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Finnish, Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Hebrew, and Arabic. It also works with graphics tablets such as Wacom and Huion. The Free Groupboard plan costs nothing and allows five users per whiteboard, 20 saved pictures, and 10 background images; it includes ads and limited support. Hosted plans cost $9.99 a month for up to 15 users per whiteboard or $19.99 a month for up to 50 users. Groupboard was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Ladysmith, British Columbia, Canada. Its privacy statement says its servers are in Quebec and personal data is not transmitted outside Canada.

Padlet Sandbox is a collaborative digital canvas for drawing, writing, and adding media. People can contribute together and see one another’s additions in real time. Add cards and play them in sequence as a slideshow for a lesson, presentation, or storybook, or connect card content to build branching activities, interactive documents, and games. The product page describes more than 25 tools, including breakout rooms, keyboard shortcuts, object linking, granular permissions, and automatic content moderation. Sandbox supports diagramming, workshop templates, guest collaboration, presentation mode, and voting, but it is not an infinite canvas. It runs on Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and the web, with support for major browsers. Google options include sign-in, Classroom sharing, and Drive files; Padlet also supports importing Jamboards. The Free plan is free and includes 3 padlets, 20MB uploads, 1 user, 2-minute videos, and 5-minute audio. After June 30, 2026, free accounts are limited to 3 total Sandboxes and boards; additional Sandboxes become read-only unless the user upgrades.