Open Response vs Plickers
Open Response
osu-mc.github.ioPlickers
plickers.comSide by side
| Figure | Open Response | Plickers |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $5.99/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 6 |
| Spec score · Student Response Systems | 8.7 (#9) | 8.3 (#14) |
| Spec score · Audience Response Systems | 8.4 (#40) | 8.0 (#65) |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Live polling | Yes | Yes |
| Purpose | Open Response is a free, open-source web-based classroom polling system intended to support real-time classroom engagement. | Plickers is a free educational tool for assessing students and collecting instant classroom results. |
| Quiz mode | Yes | Yes |
| Security | The project lists FERPA-compliant SSO integration as pending. | Plickers says it uses commercially reasonable safeguards and plans to notify relevant parties within 72 hours of becoming aware of a data breach. |
| Support | The project directs users to its GitHub issues and discussions for questions and additional information. | Plickers provides support through [email protected], while Pro subscribers receive priority support. |
Plans
Plickers
- FreeFree
- Plickers Pro - Monthly$8.99 a month
- Plickers Pro - Annual$71.88 a year
- Free AccountFree
- Plickers Pro Monthly$8.99 a month
- Plickers Pro Yearly$71.88 a year
In their own words
Open Response
Open Response is free, open-source polling software for real-time classroom engagement. Instructors can run polls with multiple-choice and multiple-answer questions, and participants receive live feedback through WebSockets. The project also lists quiz mode, grading, analytics, and role-based access for students, instructors, and administrators. It includes a RESTful API and a WebSocket server. Canvas compatibility comes through CSV export of participation and grades. Open Response is listed for web, Linux, macOS, and Windows, and institutions can self-host it on a server with Docker and Docker Compose. Its interface is described as responsive and mobile-ready. The project was founded in 2021 and is targeting small-scale beta testing in the 2026–2027 academic year. Several items remain incomplete or planned: open-ended, sketch, and location questions are unsupported; roster management and email notifications are in development; test coverage is incomplete; and WCAG 2.1 AA compliance and FERPA-related SSO work are pending.
Plickers
Plickers is a classroom polling and quiz tool that collects student answers and displays results. Students respond with unique Plickers cards, so they do not need individual devices or accounts. A teacher uses the mobile app to scan cards, collect answers, reveal correct choices, and move through questions. Sessions can run offline, and responses can be anonymous; the audience limit is 63. Plickers provides student reports and scoresheets, and results can be downloaded for further analysis. Teachers can import classes and student rosters from Google Classroom and sync later changes. For remote lessons, Plickers E-Learning lets students answer synchronously from home using a device. The service is available on Android, iOS, and the web. Its free plan allows five questions per set, while Pro plans offer unlimited-question sets, private Pack collaboration, custom unlimited Scoresheet date ranges, and priority support. Listed Pro prices are $8.99 a month or $71.88 a year. A 14-day trial is available. Plickers says it does not sell student information.