ClassDojo vs PointWiseSystem: Which Is Right for Your Classroom?
A feature-by-feature comparison for teachers who care about privacy, simplicity, and student motivation.
⚡ TL;DR
ClassDojo is free for unlimited students but shows ads and shares data. PointWiseSystem costs $4.99/mo for unlimited students but keeps data private, skips the parent app requirement, and uses positive-only points.
📊 Feature Comparison
| Feature | ClassDojo | PointWiseSystem |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free (ads) | Free 5 students, $4.99/mo unlimited |
| Parent app required | Yes | No (reports via link) |
| Student data | Shared with third parties | Never sold, COPPA compliant |
| Behavior tracking | Points + deductions | Positive points only |
| Ads shown to students | Yes | Never |
| Setup time | 10-15 minutes | 2 minutes |
| Multi-class | Yes | Yes (Classroom Plus) |
| Gradebook | No | Yes (Classroom Plus) |
| Attendance | No | Yes (Classroom Plus) |
| Kiosk/display mode | No | Yes |
🏫 When ClassDojo Is Better
- You need free for unlimited students with no budget at all
- You want built-in parent messaging (chat within the app)
- You use portfolio sharing (photos/videos of student work sent to parents)
ClassDojo works well for teachers who want a free tool and don't mind the tradeoffs around ads and data sharing. The parent messaging feature is genuinely useful if your school doesn't already have a communication platform.
🎯 When PointWiseSystem Is Better
- You care about student privacy and don't want data shared with third parties
- You don't want to require parents to download an app just to see their child's progress
- You prefer positive-only behavior tracking (no public deductions that shame students)
- You need a gradebook and attendance built into the same tool
- You want no ads on any screen your students see
PointWiseSystem works for teachers who want a clean, private system that parents can check via a link. No installs, no logins for families, no data selling.
The Verdict
ClassDojo has scale and a massive user base. PointWiseSystem has privacy and simplicity. If your school district has concerns about student data, or you want behavior tracking that focuses on positive reinforcement without public deductions, PointWiseSystem is the better fit. If budget is zero and you need parent chat built in, ClassDojo covers that.
Try PointWiseSystem for Classrooms →Free for 5 students · No credit card required