iClicker vs Top Hat
iClicker
iclicker.com
Top Hat
tophat.comSide by side
| Figure | iClicker | Top Hat |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $4.99/mo | $35/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 10 | 8 |
| Spec score · Audience Response Systems | 9.2 (#5) | 8.3 (#42) |
| Spec score · Student Response Systems | 9.0 (#4) | 7.8 (#34) |
| Founded | 1997 | 2009 |
| Paid from | 4.99 | 35 |
| Support | iClicker offers support articles, tutorials, customer support, training, and access to iClicker specialists. | Top Hat lists support by phone, email, and live chat for instructors and students, with support hours of Monday to Friday, 9 AM–9 PM ET. |
Plans
iClicker
- iClicker Pulse — 6 months$4.99 a month
- iClicker Pulse — 12 months$7.99 a month
- iClicker Pro — 6 months$15.99 a month
- iClicker Pro — 12 months$24.99 a month
- Instructor accountFree
- iClicker Pulse — 6 months$4.99, paid once
- iClicker Pulse — 12 months$7.99, paid once
- iClicker Pro — 6 months$15.99, paid once
- iClicker Pro — 12 months$24.99, paid once
- Institutional enterprise plansPriced on request
Top Hat
- 1 Term$35 a month
- 1 Year$58 a month
- 4 Years$96 a month
- Department or Institution-WidePrice not published
- 1 Term (4 months)$35, paid once
- 1 Year (12 months)$58, paid once
- 4 Years (48 months)$96, paid once
- Department or Institution-Wide SolutionsPriced on request
In their own words
iClicker
iClicker is a student response system for classroom polling, quizzes, attendance, reactions and feedback. Instructors can ask multiple-choice, multiple-answer, short-answer, numeric, target, formula or symbol questions, including anonymous questions. Its AI Question Creator can generate up to 50 questions and use uploaded files as context. Attendance tracking covers in-person and virtual classes; iClicker Pulse lists auto-run sessions and late-arrival tracking. An instructor gradebook provides real-time reporting on student and class performance, attendance and participation. Integrations include Blackboard, Canvas, Brightspace by D2L and Moodle, plus roster and grade sync, CSV integration and single sign-on. Students can respond through mobile or web apps or physical remotes. Instructor desktop software is available for Windows and Mac, with Windows 10 or newer and macOS 12 or newer listed as minimum requirements. The instructor account is free, while student subscription needs depend on the enrolled course. Listed U.S. student plans start at $4.99/mo; international and partner pricing requires contacting iClicker. The maker says it is part of the Macmillan Learning family and was founded in 1997.
Top Hat
Top Hat is a higher education student engagement and courseware platform for interactive learning in and beyond class. During lectures, educators can use polls, discussions, quizzes and instant feedback. For coursework, it supports interactive homework and readings, customizable digital textbooks and instructor-created materials. Instructors can create, schedule or upload tests and assignments, and use AI tools to generate questions from course content. Ace helps educators prepare classes and create interactive prompts; students can use it for personalized study and practice based on course materials. Top Hat turns attendance, participation, reading and assessment data into insights about student progress. It lists integrations with Canvas, Blackboard, D2L Brightspace, Moodle and Sakai; LTI 1.3 integrations for Canvas and D2L Brightspace can provide roster sync, grade sync, deep links and single sign-on. Students can use a browser or iOS and Android apps. Student access plans are $35, paid once for four months, $58, paid once for 12 months, or $96, paid once for 48 months. Eligible paid courses usually offer a five-day free trial.