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Head-to-head · Academic Advising Software

Civitas Advising vs Starfish

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Civitas Advising #2 in Academic Advising Software 8.6/10 Pricing on request ✓ 5 of 5 features Try Civitas Advising
Starfish #4 in Academic Advising Software 8.2/10 Pricing on request ✓ 4 of 5 features Visit EAB

Civitas Advising leads on 0 checks, Starfish on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreCivitas Advising · 8.6/10
  • Most featuresCivitas Advising · 5 of 5

Civitas Advising scores higher on our rubric for academic advising software: 8.6 against 8.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #4.

On mobile access, Civitas Advising gives you Mobile where Starfish offers Web.

Civitas Advising is the better fit for institutions wanting mobile, collaborative advising. Starfish is the better fit for teams needing practical student-success workflows.

  • Civitas Advising fits best

    Institutions wanting mobile, collaborative advising

  • Starfish fits best

    Teams needing practical student-success workflows

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Side by side

Feature Civitas Advising 8.6/10 Visit ↗ Starfish 8.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.6 8.2
Ranking #2 in Academic Advising Software #4 in Academic Advising Software
Best for Institutions wanting mobile, collaborative advising Teams needing practical student-success 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, Mobile Cloud
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web
Support Email, Tickets, Docs Live chat, Phone, Docs
Built for Mid-market, Enterprise Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Civitas Advising 5/5 · Starfish 4/5
Degree audit ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Degree planning ✓ ✓
Early alerts ✓ ✓
Intervention workflows ✓ ✓
Student planning portal ✓ ✓
Specs
Mobile access Mobile Web
Our review
Pros
  • Combines profiles, alerts, notes, messaging, scheduling, and interventions
  • Supports degree planning, academic roadmaps, and degree-audit connections
  • Offers web, iOS, Android, API, SIS, LMS, CRM, Canvas, and calendar integrations
  • Combines early alerts, appointments, cases, cohorts, and referrals
  • Supports degree planning, success plans, and off-track notifications
  • Adds workflow automation, analytics, kiosk support, and student access
Cons
  • Pricing requires a sales conversation and institution-specific order forms
  • Capabilities depend on institutional configuration and user permissions
  • Mobile access is browser-based rather than a separate mobile app
  • Pricing is handled through contact-sales engagement
  • Designed for institutional partnerships rather than self-serve adoption
  • Web access may not suit teams seeking a dedicated mobile experience
Our verdict

Civitas Advising is a configurable student-success capability within Civitas Learning’s Student Impact Platform. It is designed for higher-education advisors, faculty, and staff who need a shared view of student information and coordinated…

Read the review →

Starfish is EAB’s higher-education student-success platform for colleges and universities. It brings together early alerts, progress surveys, appointment scheduling, case and cohort management, analytics, degree planning, success plans,…

Read the review →
  1. Civitas AdvisingAcademic Advising Software 8.6Pricing on request
  2. StarfishAcademic Advising Software 8.2Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Civitas Advising — where it wins

    • Combines profiles, alerts, notes, messaging, scheduling, and interventions
    • Supports degree planning, academic roadmaps, and degree-audit connections
    • Offers web, iOS, Android, API, SIS, LMS, CRM, Canvas, and calendar integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing requires a sales conversation and institution-specific order forms
    • Capabilities depend on institutional configuration and user permissions
    • Mobile access is browser-based rather than a separate mobile app

  • Starfish — where it wins

    • Combines early alerts, appointments, cases, cohorts, and referrals
    • Supports degree planning, success plans, and off-track notifications
    • Adds workflow automation, analytics, kiosk support, and student access

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing is handled through contact-sales engagement
    • Designed for institutional partnerships rather than self-serve adoption
    • Web access may not suit teams seeking a dedicated mobile experience
  • Civitas Advising8.6/10 · Pricing on request

    A connected advising workspace for institutions coordinating planning, alerts, outreach, and support.

    Try Civitas AdvisingFull verdict →
  • Starfish8.2/10 · Pricing on request

    A broad student-success platform for coordinating alerts, advising, planning, and interventions.

    Visit EABFull verdict →

More comparisons

All academic advising software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update