Blackbaud Student Information System vs Skyward Qmlativ

Blackbaud Student Information System9.2Visit Skyward Qmlativ8.6Visit

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

vs

Skyward Qmlativ #4 in School Management Software 8.6/10 Pricing on request ✓ 6 of 6 features Visit Skyward

• Blackbaud Student Information System fits best

  Schools already invested in Blackbaud’s ecosystem

• Skyward Qmlativ fits best

  Districts prioritizing mature SIS and reporting

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Side by side

Feature	Blackbaud Student Information System 9.2/10 Visit ↗	Skyward Qmlativ 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.2	8.6
Ranking	#1 in School Management Software	#4 in School Management Software
Best for	Schools already invested in Blackbaud’s ecosystem	Districts prioritizing mature SIS and reporting
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, Self-hosted, Mobile
Platforms	Web	Web, iOS, Android
Support	Live chat, Community, Docs · 24/7	Email, Phone, Community, Docs
Compliance	SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS	HIPAA, PCI DSS
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Blackbaud Student Information System 3/6 · Skyward Qmlativ 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 enrollment, attendance, grading, fees, transportation, and reporting Includes Family Access, Student Access, and mobile access options Connects with Google Classroom, ClassLink, Clever, and payment systems
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 a contact-sales process Feature availability can vary by district configuration and contract Its broad administrative scope may exceed smaller schools’ needs
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 →	Skyward Qmlativ is a web-based education management system for K–12 school districts. It combines student information and enrollment management with attendance, grading, report cards, transcripts, GPA calculation, family and student… 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

• Skyward Qmlativ — where it wins

  • Covers enrollment, attendance, grading, fees, transportation, and reporting
  • Includes Family Access, Student Access, and mobile access options
  • Connects with Google Classroom, ClassLink, Clever, and payment systems

  Where it doesn't

  • Pricing is handled through a contact-sales process
  • Feature availability can vary by district configuration and contract
  • Its broad administrative scope may exceed smaller schools’ needs

• 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 →
• Skyward Qmlativ8.6/10 · Pricing on request

  A broad K–12 SIS for districts that need enrollment, reporting, portals, and operations.

  Visit SkywardFull verdict →