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Head-to-head · School Management Software

Sentral vs Gibbon

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 7 checks side by side
Higher score Sentral #8 in School Management Software 8.1/10 Pricing on request ✓ 6 of 6 features Visit Sentral
Gibbon #13 in School Management Software 7.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 6 features Visit Gibbon

Sentral leads on 1 check, Gibbon 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 scoreSentral · 8.1/10
  • Free planonly Gibbon
  • Most featuresSentral · 6 of 6

Sentral scores higher on our rubric for school management software: 8.1 against 7.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #8 and #13.

Sentral offers transport management; Gibbon doesn't.

Sentral is the better fit for schools prioritizing wellbeing and transport workflows. Gibbon is the better fit for technical schools seeking free open-source software.

  • Sentral fits best

    Schools prioritizing wellbeing and transport workflows

  • Gibbon fits best

    Technical schools seeking free open-source software

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 Sentral 8.1/10 Visit ↗ Gibbon 7.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.1 7.6
Ranking #8 in School Management Software #13 in School Management Software
Best for Schools prioritizing wellbeing and transport workflows Technical schools seeking free open-source software
Pricing model Paid Free
Starting price Pricing on request Free plan
Free plan Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web
Support Phone, Tickets, Docs Email, Community, Docs
Integrations 2 integrations 3 integrations
Built for Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Sentral 6/6 · Gibbon 5/6
Attendance tracking ✓ ✓
Gradebook ✓ ✓
Parent portal ✓ ✓
Fee management ✓ ✓
Admissions and enrollment ✓ ✓
Transport management ✓ (best) —
Specs
Student limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Covers attendance, grades, fees, admissions, transport and wellbeing
  • Parent, student and teacher apps support communication and daily tasks
  • API access plus Xero and Microsoft Dynamics integrations
  • 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
Cons
  • Pricing is handled through contact with sales
  • Some modules are optional add-ons for independent schools
  • Integration coverage may require review beyond the named platforms
  • 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
Our verdict

Sentral is a cloud-based school management platform for government and independent schools in Australia. It brings student profiles, attendance, academic reporting, admissions, fees, transport, wellbeing and parent communication into one…

Read the review →

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 →
  1. SentralSchool Management Software 8.1Pricing on request
  2. GibbonSchool Management Software 7.6Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Sentral — where it wins

    • Covers attendance, grades, fees, admissions, transport and wellbeing
    • Parent, student and teacher apps support communication and daily tasks
    • API access plus Xero and Microsoft Dynamics integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing is handled through contact with sales
    • Some modules are optional add-ons for independent schools
    • Integration coverage may require review beyond the named platforms

  • 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
  • Sentral8.1/10 · Pricing on request

    A broad school operations platform with particularly strong wellbeing and transport workflows.

    Visit SentralFull verdict →
  • Gibbon7.6/10 · Free plan

    A broad, free school management system for teams prepared to self-host.

    Visit GibbonFull verdict →

More comparisons

All school management software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update