Blackbaud Student Information System vs Sentral

Blackbaud Student Information System9.2Visit Sentral8.1Visit

Higher score Blackbaud Student Information System #1 in School Management Software 9.2/10 Pricing on request ✓ 3 of 6 features Visit Blackbaud

vs

Sentral #8 in School Management Software 8.1/10 Pricing on request ✓ 6 of 6 features Visit Sentral

• Blackbaud Student Information System fits best

  Schools already invested in Blackbaud’s ecosystem

• Sentral fits best

  Schools prioritizing wellbeing and transport workflows

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Side by side

Feature	Blackbaud Student Information System 9.2/10 Visit ↗	Sentral 8.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.2	8.1
Ranking	#1 in School Management Software	#8 in School Management Software
Best for	Schools already invested in Blackbaud’s ecosystem	Schools prioritizing wellbeing and transport workflows
Pricing model	Paid	Paid
Starting price	Pricing on request	Pricing on request
Free plan	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud	Cloud, Mobile
Platforms	Web	Web, iOS, Android
Support	Live chat, Community, Docs · 24/7	Phone, Tickets, Docs
Compliance	SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS	ISO 27001, PCI DSS
Integrations	8 integrations	2 integrations
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Blackbaud Student Information System 3/6 · Sentral 6/6
Attendance tracking	✓	✓
Gradebook	✓	✓
Parent portal	✓	✓
Fee management	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Admissions and enrollment	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Transport management	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Specs
Student limit	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Combines 360-degree student records with integrated learning management Covers attendance, grading, scheduling, calendars, portals, and reporting Connects with Blackbaud, Google, Canvas, Microsoft, OneRoster, and LTI 1.3	Covers attendance, grades, fees, admissions, transport and wellbeing Parent, student and teacher apps support communication and daily tasks API access plus Xero and Microsoft Dynamics integrations
Cons	Pricing requires a sales conversation and is customized by organization needs The platform is positioned specifically for private K–12 schools Family portal access and updates apply only to selected student information	Pricing is handled through contact with sales Some modules are optional add-ons for independent schools Integration coverage may require review beyond the named platforms
Our verdict	Blackbaud Student Information System is a student information platform for private K–12 schools. It brings student records, learning management, attendance, grading, course requests, scheduling, transcripts, academic information, and… Read the review →	Sentral is a cloud-based school management platform for government and independent schools in Australia. It brings student profiles, attendance, academic reporting, admissions, fees, transport, wellbeing and parent communication into one… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Blackbaud Student Information System — where it wins

  • Combines 360-degree student records with integrated learning management
  • Covers attendance, grading, scheduling, calendars, portals, and reporting
  • Connects with Blackbaud, Google, Canvas, Microsoft, OneRoster, and LTI 1.3

  Where it doesn't

  • Pricing requires a sales conversation and is customized by organization needs
  • The platform is positioned specifically for private K–12 schools
  • Family portal access and updates apply only to selected student information

• Sentral — where it wins

  • Covers attendance, grades, fees, admissions, transport and wellbeing
  • Parent, student and teacher apps support communication and daily tasks
  • API access plus Xero and Microsoft Dynamics integrations

  Where it doesn't

  • Pricing is handled through contact with sales
  • Some modules are optional add-ons for independent schools
  • Integration coverage may require review beyond the named platforms

• Blackbaud Student Information System9.2/10 · Pricing on request

  A broad SIS for private K–12 schools, especially those in the Blackbaud ecosystem.

  Visit BlackbaudFull verdict →
• Sentral8.1/10 · Pricing on request

  A broad school operations platform with particularly strong wellbeing and transport workflows.

  Visit SentralFull verdict →