Head-to-head · School Management Software
Gibbon vs Alma
Gibbon leads on 1 check, Alma on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 7 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreGibbon · 7.6/10
- Free planonly Gibbon
Gibbon scores higher on our rubric for school management software: 7.6 against 7.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #13 and #17.
Gibbon offers free plan; Alma doesn't.
Gibbon is the better fit for technical schools seeking free open-source software. Alma is the better fit for schools needing compliance, analytics, and gradebooks.
- Gibbon fits best
Technical schools seeking free open-source software
- Alma fits best
Schools needing compliance, analytics, and gradebooks
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 | Gibbon 7.6/10 Visit ↗ | Alma 7.2/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 7.6 | 7.2 |
| Ranking | #13 in School Management Software | #17 in School Management Software |
| Best for | Technical schools seeking free open-source software | Schools needing compliance, analytics, and gradebooks |
| Pricing model | Free | Paid |
| Starting price | Free plan | Pricing on request |
| Free plan | ✓ (best) | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Cloud, Self-hosted | Cloud, Mobile |
| Platforms | Web | Web, Android |
| Support | Email, Community, Docs | Email, Phone, Tickets, Docs |
| Integrations | 3 integrations | 12 integrations |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features Gibbon 5/6 · Alma 5/6 | ||
| Attendance tracking | ✓ | ✓ |
| Gradebook | ✓ | ✓ |
| Parent portal | ✓ | ✓ |
| Fee management | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admissions and enrollment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Transport management | — | Not checked yet |
| Specs | ||
| Student limit | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
|
|
| Cons |
|
|
| Our verdict | Gibbon is a free, open-source, web-based school management platform for schools, teachers, students, parents, and administrators. It brings together student profiles, lesson planning, homework submission, timetables, attendance, academic… Read the review → |
Alma is a cloud-based K–12 student information and school management platform for schools, districts, independent schools, charter schools, and education organizations. Its scope spans student and demographic records, attendance,… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Gibbon — where it wins
- Covers records, admissions, attendance, assessment, fees, and portals
- Configurable roles, permissions, and modules support varied school workflows
- Free GNU GPL software with self-hosted installation
Where it doesn't
- Self-hosting leaves installation and server maintenance with the school
- Web and self-hosted delivery limit platform coverage
- Google Calendar is the listed external integration
Alma — where it wins
- Combines records, attendance, gradebooks, enrollment, fees, and reporting
- Supports traditional and standards-based grading with analytics and BeaconAI insights
- Connects with major education platforms through integrations and an external API
Where it doesn't
- Pricing requires contact with sales and a separate statement of work
- The broad feature set may exceed the needs of smaller schools
- Transportation is represented through an integration rather than a listed native module
- Gibbon7.6/10 · Free plan
A broad, free school management system for teams prepared to self-host.
Visit GibbonFull verdict → - Alma7.2/10 · Pricing on request
A broad K–12 platform for records, grading, compliance, enrollment, and family engagement.
Visit AlmaFull verdict →
All school management software comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update