Peñalara GHC vs SchoolGrid
Peñalara GHC
penalara.com
SchoolGrid
schoolgrid.appSide by side
| Figure | Peñalara GHC | SchoolGrid |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $691.67/mo | $8.25/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 10 | 3 |
| Spec score · School Scheduling Software | 8.9 (#2) | 7.6 (#14) |
| Headquarters | Segovia, Spain | Snohomish, Washington, United States |
| Integrations | GHC exchanges data and timetables with named regional academic managers including SÉNECA, SIGAD, SAUCE, GESTIBWEB, and EKADE, and provides an open exchange format for external applications. | Google Drive publishing uses the drive.file permission and OneDrive publishing uses the Files.ReadWrite.AppFolder permission. |
| Purpose | GHC helps educational institutions create and manage timetables, including schools, vocational institutions, universities, colleges, and arts and music schools. | SchoolGrid is a browser-based master-scheduling app for elementary schools that combines classrooms, specialists, interventions, lunch, recess, instructional minutes, and paraeducator coverage. |
| Security | Peñalara says its website uses an extended validation SSL certificate to encrypt communication and identify the website owner. | Passwords use PBKDF2 one-way hashing, connections use HTTPS encryption, and payment details are handled by PCI-DSS-certified Stripe. |
| Support | Customer service is available Monday–Thursday 8:30–14:00 and 15:00–18:30 and Friday 8:30–14:30 Madrid time by phone and email. | Free users can use the contact form, while Pro includes priority email support and three hours of video onboarding. |
Plans
Peñalara GHC
- GHC DemoFree
- GHC LiteFree
- GHC Optimum — up to 10 teachers$8,300 a year
- GHC Optimum — up to 15 teachers$12,000 a year
- GHC Optimum — up to 20 teachers$15,700 a year
- GHC Optimum — up to 25 teachers$19,400 a year
- GHC Optimum — up to 30 teachers$23,100 a year
- GHC Optimum — up to 35 teachers$26,800 a year
- GHC Optimum — up to 40 teachers$30,500 a year
- GHC Optimum — up to 45 teachers$34,200 a year
SchoolGrid
- SchoolGrid FreeFree
- SchoolGrid Plus$99 a year
- SchoolGrid Pro$499 a year
In their own words
Peñalara GHC
Peñalara GHC is timetabling software for educational institutions, with tools to plan, optimise, edit, and publish academic schedules. Its planner imports data and handles complex schedules with strict and flexible conditions, including identifying conditions that may be impossible to satisfy. GHC Optimum searches for a balanced timetable based on user-set preferences and criteria. The editor supports drag-and-drop changes, conflict warnings, and reports on assignments and preference compliance. GHC App gives administrators, teachers, and students access to published calendars and supports absence and substitution management. Timetables can be exchanged in formats including CSV, DBase, Paradox, XML, Excel, and PDF. The downloadable program supports Windows versions from Windows 7; Peñalara says Linux users can run it through PlayOnLinux or Wine. Paid software is single-user, stores information locally or in an enabled cloud repository, and cannot operate over a network. GHC Lite is free with reduced functionality. GHC Demo is free for 15 days, up to 10 teachers and three computer activations. Full GHC Optimum plans start at $8,300 a year for up to 10 teachers, with other teacher-capacity tiers available.
SchoolGrid
SchoolGrid is a browser-based master-scheduling app for elementary schools. It brings classrooms, specialists, interventions, lunch, recess, instructional minutes, and paraeducator coverage into one scheduling workflow. Its auto-scheduler drafts schedules from configured school constraints, and users can review and revise them in Timeline, Agenda, and Calendar views. Schedules can be exported as PDF or CSV files or published to Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive. SchoolGrid says it does not request student names, rosters, grades, or student accounts and is not designed to store student records. The app requires no installation. The Free plan is free and offers a 30-day scheduling and publishing evaluation, with up to 15 drafts during that period. Plus costs $99 a year and includes para and student-support coverage, exports, publishing, and five monthly Schedule Transfer credits. Pro costs $499 a year and supports up to three schools or sites, unlimited drafts, 15 monthly setup credits, priority email support, and three hours of video onboarding.