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Head-to-head · Lesson Planning Software

Common Planner vs Lesson Maker Pro

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Common Planner #2 in Lesson Planning Software 9.2/10 Free plan · paid from $5.59/user/mo · 30-day trial Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Common
Lesson Maker Pro #3 in Lesson Planning Software 8.3/10 Free plan · paid from $7.99/user/mo (annual) Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Try Lesson Maker Pro

Common Planner leads on 2 checks, Lesson Maker Pro on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreCommon Planner · 9.2/10
  • Lowest starting priceCommon Planner · $5.59/user/mo
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresCommon Planner · 4 of 4

Common Planner scores higher on our rubric for lesson planning software: 9.2 against 8.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #3.

Common Planner is cheaper to start at $5.59/user/mo against $7.99/user/mo. Common Planner offers plan collaboration; Lesson Maker Pro doesn't publish it.

Common Planner is the better fit for teachers wanting the broadest low-cost planner. Lesson Maker Pro is the better fit for AI-first teachers needing complete lesson materials.

  • Common Planner fits best

    Teachers wanting the broadest low-cost planner

  • Lesson Maker Pro fits best

    AI-first teachers needing complete lesson materials

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Common Planner 9.2/10 Visit ↗ Lesson Maker Pro 8.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 8.3
Ranking #2 in Lesson Planning Software #3 in Lesson Planning Software
Best for Teachers wanting the broadest low-cost planner AI-first teachers needing complete lesson materials
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $5.59/user/mo (best) $7.99/user/mo
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud Cloud
Platforms Web Web
Support Email, Docs Email
Integrations 6 integrations 5 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Common Planner 4/4 · Lesson Maker Pro 3/4
Standards alignment ✓ ✓
Calendar view ✓ ✓
Plan collaboration ✓ (best) Not published
AI lesson generation ✓ ✓
Specs
Mobile access Web_only Web_only
Export formats Not published PDF, Word, PowerPoint, Google Docs, Google Slides, Google Forms, Google Classroom
Our review
Pros
  • Free plan covers daily through monthly planning and standards search
  • Pro adds unit planning, tracking, publishing, and collaboration
  • Connects with Google Classroom, Drive, Dropbox, Office 365, OneDrive, and Canvas
  • AI generates lessons from topics, standards, and grade levels.
  • Creates worksheets, assessments, guides, presentations, and sub-plans.
  • Exports to PDF, Office files, Google tools, and Google Classroom.
Cons
  • Native mobile apps are not included; phone access is browser-based
  • The free plan limits Google Classroom posts to 50
  • School plan pricing is handled separately from teacher plans
  • Access is web-only rather than mobile.
  • The $7.99 monthly equivalent is billed annually.
  • Its broad feature set may exceed the needs of basic planners.
Our verdict

Common Planner is a web-based lesson planning platform for individual teachers, schools, and districts. It supports daily, weekly, monthly, unit, and backward planning, with standards search and alignment, reusable lessons and templates,…

Read the review →

Lesson Maker Pro is a web-based planning tool for teachers who need more than a weekly calendar. It combines a drag-and-drop planner mapped to class periods with day views, timed activities, unit planning, standards alignment, and…

Read the review →
  1. Common PlannerLesson Planning Software 9.2Free plan · paid from $5.59/user/mo · 30-day trial
  2. Lesson Maker ProLesson Planning Software 8.3Free plan · paid from $7.99/user/mo (annual)

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Common Planner — where it wins

    • Free plan covers daily through monthly planning and standards search
    • Pro adds unit planning, tracking, publishing, and collaboration
    • Connects with Google Classroom, Drive, Dropbox, Office 365, OneDrive, and Canvas

    Where it doesn't

    • Native mobile apps are not included; phone access is browser-based
    • The free plan limits Google Classroom posts to 50
    • School plan pricing is handled separately from teacher plans

  • Lesson Maker Pro — where it wins

    • AI generates lessons from topics, standards, and grade levels.
    • Creates worksheets, assessments, guides, presentations, and sub-plans.
    • Exports to PDF, Office files, Google tools, and Google Classroom.

    Where it doesn't

    • Access is web-only rather than mobile.
    • The $7.99 monthly equivalent is billed annually.
    • Its broad feature set may exceed the needs of basic planners.
  • Common Planner9.2/10 · Free plan · paid from $5.59/user/mo · 30-day trial

    A broad, low-cost planner with AI, standards tools, collaboration, and integrations.

    Visit CommonFull verdict →
  • Lesson Maker Pro8.3/10 · Free plan · paid from $7.99/user/mo (annual)

    A broad web-based lesson workspace for teachers who want AI-generated materials and planning.

    Try Lesson Maker ProFull verdict →

More comparisons

All lesson planning software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026

Last updated · How we research and update