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Head-to-head · Academic Advising Software

Ellucian Smart Plan vs Ellucian Advising

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Ellucian Smart Plan #5 in Academic Advising Software 8.1/10 Pricing on request ✓ 3 of 5 features Visit Ellucian
Ellucian Advising #6 in Academic Advising Software 8.0/10 Pricing on request ✓ 2 of 5 features Visit Ellucian

Ellucian Smart Plan leads on 0 checks, Ellucian Advising 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 scoreEllucian Smart Plan · 8.1/10
  • Most featuresEllucian Smart Plan · 3 of 5

Ellucian Smart Plan scores higher on our rubric for academic advising software: 8.1 against 8.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #6.

Ellucian Smart Plan is the better fit for ellucian institutions needing deep planning. Ellucian Advising is the better fit for institutions focused on alerts and advising operations.

  • Ellucian Smart Plan fits best

    Ellucian institutions needing deep planning

  • Ellucian Advising fits best

    Institutions focused on alerts and advising operations

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Ellucian Smart Plan 8.1/10 Visit ↗ Ellucian Advising 8.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.1 8.0
Ranking #5 in Academic Advising Software #6 in Academic Advising Software
Best for Ellucian institutions needing deep planning Institutions focused on alerts and advising operations
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
Compliance ISO 27001, PCI DSS SOC 2, ISO 27001, PCI DSS
Integrations 2 integrations 2 integrations
Built for Mid-market, Enterprise Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Ellucian Smart Plan 3/5 · Ellucian Advising 2/5
Degree audit ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Degree planning ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Early alerts Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Intervention workflows Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Student planning portal ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Mobile access Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Personalizes and updates term-by-term plans as circumstances change
  • Supports what-if analysis for programs, schedules, cost, and completion timing
  • Connects planning with direct registration and Ellucian systems
  • AI alerts and indicators help identify at-risk students
  • Case management and task automation support advising workflows
  • Dashboards, scheduling, and communications connect advising activity
Cons
  • Pricing requires a contact-sales process
  • Evaluation begins with a scheduled demo rather than a self-serve trial
  • Its focus is academic planning and registration rather than broader advising workflows
  • Pricing requires contact with sales rather than published plan comparisons
  • Its strongest emphasis is advising operations and student alerts
  • Institutions may need to assess fit for broader academic planning needs
Our verdict

Ellucian Smart Plan is an academic planning and registration solution for colleges and universities. It uses academic history, program requirements, prerequisites, institutional policies, and course availability to create personalized,…

Read the review →

Ellucian Advising is advising software for colleges and universities, with tools for faculty, advisors, and higher-education teams supporting student progress. Its core capabilities include AI-powered alerts and dynamic indicators for…

Read the review →
  1. Ellucian Smart PlanAcademic Advising Software 8.1Pricing on request
  2. Ellucian AdvisingAcademic Advising Software 8.0Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Ellucian Smart Plan — where it wins

    • Personalizes and updates term-by-term plans as circumstances change
    • Supports what-if analysis for programs, schedules, cost, and completion timing
    • Connects planning with direct registration and Ellucian systems

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing requires a contact-sales process
    • Evaluation begins with a scheduled demo rather than a self-serve trial
    • Its focus is academic planning and registration rather than broader advising workflows

  • Ellucian Advising — where it wins

    • AI alerts and indicators help identify at-risk students
    • Case management and task automation support advising workflows
    • Dashboards, scheduling, and communications connect advising activity

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing requires contact with sales rather than published plan comparisons
    • Its strongest emphasis is advising operations and student alerts
    • Institutions may need to assess fit for broader academic planning needs
  • Ellucian Smart Plan8.1/10 · Pricing on request

    A deep planning solution for Ellucian institutions managing complex student pathways.

    Visit EllucianFull verdict →
  • Ellucian Advising8.0/10 · Pricing on request

    A strong fit for institutions prioritizing alerts, case management, and advising operations.

    Visit EllucianFull 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