Quick Overview
- 1#1: ParentSquare - Comprehensive platform for school-to-parent communication including messaging, posts, calendars, translations, and volunteer management.
- 2#2: ClassDojo - Engaging tool for positive behavior reinforcement, parent-teacher messaging, and student portfolios in K-8 classrooms.
- 3#3: Bloomz - All-in-one app for class and school communication, event planning, volunteer coordination, and multilingual parent updates.
- 4#4: Seesaw - Digital learning platform enabling student portfolios, teacher feedback, and secure parent messaging.
- 5#5: Remind - Simple messaging app for scheduling reminders, announcements, and two-way communication between teachers and parents.
- 6#6: Classtag - User-friendly platform for sharing assignments, photos, messaging parents, and managing class calendars.
- 7#7: SchoolStatus - Data-driven engagement platform tracking parent interactions, attendance, and communications for improved outcomes.
- 8#8: TalkingPoints - AI-powered translation service facilitating communication with multilingual families via text messaging.
- 9#9: SchoolMessenger - Robust notification system for voice, text, email alerts, and emergency communications to parents.
- 10#10: Infinite Campus - Student information system with parent portal for grades, attendance, fees, and real-time updates.
Tools were evaluated based on features, usability, reliability, and alignment with modern educational needs, prioritizing those that deliver robust functionality while remaining intuitive and value-driven.
Comparison Table
This comparison table features tools like ParentSquare, ClassDojo, Bloomz, Seesaw, Remind, and more, offering insights to help readers evaluate options for parent engagement. It outlines key features, usability, and effectiveness, providing a clear overview to simplify selection for educators and schools.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ParentSquare Comprehensive platform for school-to-parent communication including messaging, posts, calendars, translations, and volunteer management. | specialized | 9.5/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 2 | ClassDojo Engaging tool for positive behavior reinforcement, parent-teacher messaging, and student portfolios in K-8 classrooms. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 3 | Bloomz All-in-one app for class and school communication, event planning, volunteer coordination, and multilingual parent updates. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 4 | Seesaw Digital learning platform enabling student portfolios, teacher feedback, and secure parent messaging. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.9/10 |
| 5 | Remind Simple messaging app for scheduling reminders, announcements, and two-way communication between teachers and parents. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 6 | Classtag User-friendly platform for sharing assignments, photos, messaging parents, and managing class calendars. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.1/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 7 | SchoolStatus Data-driven engagement platform tracking parent interactions, attendance, and communications for improved outcomes. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.8/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 8 | TalkingPoints AI-powered translation service facilitating communication with multilingual families via text messaging. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.0/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 9 | SchoolMessenger Robust notification system for voice, text, email alerts, and emergency communications to parents. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.6/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 10 | Infinite Campus Student information system with parent portal for grades, attendance, fees, and real-time updates. | enterprise | 7.9/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.2/10 | 7.6/10 |
Comprehensive platform for school-to-parent communication including messaging, posts, calendars, translations, and volunteer management.
Engaging tool for positive behavior reinforcement, parent-teacher messaging, and student portfolios in K-8 classrooms.
All-in-one app for class and school communication, event planning, volunteer coordination, and multilingual parent updates.
Digital learning platform enabling student portfolios, teacher feedback, and secure parent messaging.
Simple messaging app for scheduling reminders, announcements, and two-way communication between teachers and parents.
User-friendly platform for sharing assignments, photos, messaging parents, and managing class calendars.
Data-driven engagement platform tracking parent interactions, attendance, and communications for improved outcomes.
AI-powered translation service facilitating communication with multilingual families via text messaging.
Robust notification system for voice, text, email alerts, and emergency communications to parents.
Student information system with parent portal for grades, attendance, fees, and real-time updates.
ParentSquare
specializedComprehensive platform for school-to-parent communication including messaging, posts, calendars, translations, and volunteer management.
Real-time two-way translation in over 100 languages for seamless multilingual communication
ParentSquare is a comprehensive parent engagement platform tailored for K-12 schools and districts to enhance communication and involvement with families. It provides tools such as targeted messaging, announcements, calendars, forms, volunteer coordination, and school payments, all accessible via mobile app or web. The platform stands out with automatic two-way translation in over 100 languages, ensuring inclusivity for diverse communities, and offers analytics to measure engagement.
Pros
- Multilingual support with real-time translation in 100+ languages
- All-in-one platform integrating messaging, calendars, forms, and payments
- Powerful analytics and targeted delivery for high engagement rates
Cons
- Custom pricing can be steep for very small schools
- Initial setup requires integration with school systems
- Advanced customization options are somewhat limited
Best For
K-12 schools and districts seeking a robust, inclusive platform to boost parent-school communication and involvement.
Pricing
Custom pricing per student, typically $4-$6 per student/year depending on district size and features.
ClassDojo
specializedEngaging tool for positive behavior reinforcement, parent-teacher messaging, and student portfolios in K-8 classrooms.
Real-time positive points system with parent-visible reports and fun avatar customization
ClassDojo is a free classroom communication platform that connects teachers, students, and parents through positive behavior reinforcement, real-time updates, and multimedia sharing. Teachers award points for good behavior using fun monster avatars, share photos/videos via Stories, and send group or private messages to parents. Parents receive instant notifications on their child's progress, view portfolios of work, and participate in school-wide events, making it a powerful tool for parent engagement in K-8 settings.
Pros
- Intuitive mobile app with real-time notifications for instant parent updates
- Gamified points system promotes positive behavior and easy progress tracking
- Completely free core features with robust multimedia sharing and messaging
Cons
- Limited advanced analytics or reporting for parents without school premium
- Heavy reliance on teacher adoption for full effectiveness
- Notifications can feel overwhelming if not managed well
Best For
Elementary teachers and parents who want a fun, visual way to stay connected on daily student behavior and classroom moments.
Pricing
Free for all users; optional school premium (Toolkit) at $120/teacher/year for advanced reports and features.
Bloomz
specializedAll-in-one app for class and school communication, event planning, volunteer coordination, and multilingual parent updates.
Real-time translation in over 100 languages, making it accessible for non-English speaking families
Bloomz is a user-friendly parent engagement platform tailored for K-12 educators, enabling seamless communication through private messaging, announcements, and class updates. It streamlines school operations with tools for volunteer coordination, event RSVPs, payment collection for field trips and fees, and a robust translation feature supporting over 100 languages. Designed to foster stronger family-school partnerships, it helps boost parent involvement and student success with real-time updates and organized workflows.
Pros
- Multilingual translation in 100+ languages for diverse communities
- Integrated volunteer management and payment processing
- Intuitive mobile app for quick parent-teacher interactions
Cons
- Limited advanced analytics compared to enterprise competitors
- Some premium features require school-wide subscription
- Occasional sync delays with district systems
Best For
K-8 schools and teachers seeking an all-in-one tool to enhance daily parent communication and involvement in diverse, multilingual communities.
Pricing
Free for individual teachers and parents; school plans start at $4.99 per student/year with tiered options up to $9.99 for advanced features.
Seesaw
specializedDigital learning platform enabling student portfolios, teacher feedback, and secure parent messaging.
Student-driven digital portfolios with easy voice, video, and drawing capture for authentic, shareable learning artifacts
Seesaw is a K-12 digital portfolio platform that enables teachers to create interactive activities, students to submit multimedia work (photos, videos, drawings, voice notes), and parents to view progress and provide feedback via a dedicated family app. It fosters parent engagement by sending real-time updates on student achievements and allowing comments on portfolios. Designed for seamless classroom-to-home communication, Seesaw supports differentiated learning and skill-building across subjects.
Pros
- Intuitive mobile app for teachers, students, and parents with no steep learning curve
- Rich multimedia portfolio tools that capture authentic student work
- Strong free tier with robust parent communication features
Cons
- Advanced analytics and reporting limited to paid school plans
- Can generate notification overload for highly active classrooms
- Less emphasis on formal grading or LMS integrations compared to competitors
Best For
Elementary and early childhood educators seeking a simple, visual way to boost parent involvement in student learning.
Pricing
Free for individual teachers and families; Seesaw Plus school plans start at ~$120/teacher/year or $6-12/student/year for districts.
Remind
specializedSimple messaging app for scheduling reminders, announcements, and two-way communication between teachers and parents.
App-free SMS delivery that reaches parents instantly via text without requiring downloads
Remind is a mobile-first communication platform that enables educators to send instant text messages, reminders, and announcements to students and parents via SMS, app notifications, or email. It supports class and group management, scheduled messaging, and two-way communication to foster parent-teacher connections. With multilingual support in over 90 languages, it ensures accessibility for diverse school communities, making it a straightforward tool for boosting parent engagement.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with quick setup for messaging
- Free tier covers core communication needs effectively
- Multilingual support enhances inclusivity for non-English speaking parents
Cons
- Limited advanced engagement tools like assignments or portals compared to full platforms
- Premium features required for HD video and quizzes
- SMS-heavy approach can feel impersonal for deeper interactions
Best For
Teachers and small schools seeking simple, reliable messaging to keep parents updated without complex setups.
Pricing
Free for basic messaging; Premium plans start at $59.88/teacher/year for advanced features like video calls and analytics.
Classtag
specializedUser-friendly platform for sharing assignments, photos, messaging parents, and managing class calendars.
Integrated volunteer signup sheets with automated reminders and availability tracking
ClassTag is a parent-teacher communication platform that enables educators to share classroom updates, photos, videos, announcements, and manage events in real-time. It facilitates two-way messaging, volunteer signups, and form collections to boost parent engagement. The tool is particularly strong in visual sharing and notifications, helping keep parents informed without overwhelming them.
Pros
- Generous free plan for teachers with unlimited photo/video sharing
- Intuitive mobile app for quick updates and parent responses
- Multilingual support for diverse communities
Cons
- Limited integrations with other edtech tools like Google Classroom
- Advanced analytics and reporting locked behind premium school plans
- Customer support primarily email-based with slower response times
Best For
Individual teachers or small schools seeking simple, cost-effective parent communication and volunteer management.
Pricing
Free forever for teachers; school premium plans start at $3.99/student/year for advanced features like custom reports.
SchoolStatus
enterpriseData-driven engagement platform tracking parent interactions, attendance, and communications for improved outcomes.
LiveCheck attendance verification with instant parent alerts and photo verification for accuracy
SchoolStatus is a unified parent engagement platform for K-12 schools, enabling real-time communication through two-way messaging, app notifications, email, and voice calls. It provides tools for attendance tracking, behavior insights, grade monitoring, and multilingual support to boost family involvement and student outcomes. The software integrates with popular student information systems (SIS) like PowerSchool and Infinite Campus for seamless data flow and analytics.
Pros
- Multi-channel communication including reliable two-way SMS and app push notifications
- Automated attendance and behavior alerts with translation in 100+ languages
- Data analytics dashboard for tracking engagement and predicting student risks
Cons
- Custom pricing can be costly for smaller districts
- Steeper learning curve for advanced analytics features
- Limited customization options for branding and workflows
Best For
Mid-sized to large school districts needing robust, data-driven parent communication and monitoring tools.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing, typically $6-12 per student per year depending on district size and features.
TalkingPoints
specializedAI-powered translation service facilitating communication with multilingual families via text messaging.
AI-driven two-way translation for SMS and app messaging in over 100 languages
TalkingPoints is a parent engagement platform designed to bridge language barriers between teachers and parents in diverse school communities. It enables two-way communication via SMS and app notifications, automatically translating messages into over 100 languages using AI. The tool helps educators send updates, reminders, and surveys, while boosting parent response rates and involvement in student success.
Pros
- Exceptional real-time translation in 100+ languages for multilingual families
- High parent engagement through simple SMS delivery with strong response rates
- Seamless integrations with popular SIS like Infinite Campus and PowerSchool
Cons
- Limited to primarily text-based communication without robust video or event tools
- Pricing scales with district size and can be expensive for smaller schools
- Requires accurate parent contact data and opt-ins for full effectiveness
Best For
Districts and schools with high numbers of English language learners needing accessible, translated parent-teacher communication.
Pricing
Custom district pricing, typically $4-8 per student/year; tiers include Essentials, Pro, and Enterprise with volume discounts.
SchoolMessenger
enterpriseRobust notification system for voice, text, email alerts, and emergency communications to parents.
Automated multi-language translation for inclusive parent outreach
SchoolMessenger is a robust parent engagement platform for K-12 schools, enabling multi-channel communication via voice calls, SMS, email, and a mobile app to keep parents informed about attendance, grades, events, and emergencies. It integrates with student information systems (SIS) for automated, personalized messaging and offers tools like two-way chat and surveys to boost parent involvement. The solution prioritizes high deliverability rates and compliance with educational data standards.
Pros
- Multi-channel delivery with high open rates
- Strong SIS integrations for seamless data flow
- Automated translation in 100+ languages
Cons
- Dated interface requires training
- Pricing can escalate for high-volume districts
- Customer support response times vary
Best For
Mid-to-large school districts needing reliable, scalable mass communication and emergency alerts.
Pricing
Custom quotes based on student enrollment and features; typically $0.75-$2.50 per student annually.
Infinite Campus
enterpriseStudent information system with parent portal for grades, attendance, fees, and real-time updates.
Integrated Messenger for secure, real-time parent-teacher and school-wide communication
Infinite Campus is a comprehensive K-12 student information system (SIS) with a robust parent portal designed for family engagement. Parents can access real-time grades, attendance, assignments, lunch balances, and communicate via messaging and announcements. The platform includes a mobile app for on-the-go access and integrates with district tools for seamless data sharing. It supports personalized dashboards to keep families informed and involved in student progress.
Pros
- Real-time access to grades, attendance, and assignments
- Integrated messaging and notifications for parent-teacher communication
- Mobile app and single sign-on for multi-user portals
Cons
- Outdated interface that feels clunky for some users
- Steep learning curve for non-tech-savvy parents
- Limited customization options without admin support
Best For
Mid-to-large K-12 school districts needing an all-in-one SIS with reliable parent engagement tools.
Pricing
District-wide licensing, typically $10-20 per student annually, with custom quotes based on size and features.
Conclusion
The reviewed tools offer varied approaches to boosting parent engagement, with ParentSquare emerging as the top pick, excelling in comprehensive communication, volunteer management, and translation support. ClassDojo stands out for K-8 classrooms with strong positive behavior reinforcement and student portfolios, while Bloomz impresses with its all-in-one communication and multilingual capabilities, serving distinct needs. Together, they showcase how technology can bridge home and school more effectively.
Start strengthening your school-parent partnership with ParentSquare—its robust feature set makes it the ideal choice to streamline communication and foster collaboration.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison