Free vs. paid educational learning platforms: Which one is right for you?

Free educational learning platforms can offer a wide selection of features and there are options to cover different subjects, as well as meeting the needs of learners across age groups.

These are some free educational learning platforms that schools might consider:

• Seneca. Touted as a homework and revision platform, Seneca employs smart learning algorithms, which it claims can help users learn two times faster. Courses are available to support students in key stage 2 and key stage 3, as well as those preparing for GCSEs and A levels.
• BBC Bitesize. The BBC Bitesize website offers learning materials for primary and secondary school pupils, as well as resources designed for teachers. There are fun interactive options to engage learners including explainer videos, games and articles. Many of the resources align directly with the curriculum.
• Google Classroom. This platform is free for anyone who has a Google account – it enables teachers and pupils to collaborate, as well as helping students work on group projects and allowing teachers to plan lessons and build bespoke resources.

Pros of free educational learning platforms

• They can be an excellent supplement to textbook learning. Digital learning platforms are not supposed to be a substitute for in-person, high-quality lessons with a qualified teaching professional. As a supplementary tool, free platforms may be perfectly sufficient.
• Easy access. Platforms can be accessed online, providing flexibility in when and how they are used to help students engage with them.
• No affordability concerns. When platforms are truly free of charge with no added extras to pay for, they won’t put additional pressure on school expenditure.

Cons of free educational learning platforms

• They may not be free forever. Some platforms may only offer a free trial, or they might encourage users to pay to upgrade. This can erode user experience, or free access may only be available for a limited amount of time. In addition, some features or courses might require paid access. This is the case with platforms like Seneca, which has a large number of free courses but many more reserved for premium customers.
• Offerings might be limited in number and scope. There are fewer platforms to choose from if you want them to be 100% free of charge. Plus, they are unlikely to be as customisable as paid software as they present a generic offering to all users.
• Security can be an issue. Free platforms will likely require schools to download generic software or log in online, which can pose security risks. Many schools choose software as a service (SaaS) options instead because they have more control, are in direct contact with suppliers, and platforms are encrypted with full access control. Free platforms may be more suitable for pupils to use in their own time, and less suitable for use by the school as an administrator.  

Paid learning platforms can offer a greater depth and breadth of solutions to suit a variety of schools and learners. They may be standalone platforms, premium upgrades from free software or modules that come as part of a school’s software package.

Here are some examples of paid educational learning platforms:

• CENTURY. This platform pledges improvement in CAT scores, SATs, GCSEs and international curricula, with options for English, maths and science. It’s designed to accelerate learning, reduce workload and enhance teaching.
• Learning By Questions. LbQ has an array of solutions for primary classes, as well as maths and science at secondary level. Content is aligned to exam boards and other schemes of learning, and it uses continuous formative assessment.
• Access GCSEPod. Many of the education software packages that schools already use offer the option of a learning platform to deliver curriculum content and digital teaching resources. Our learning platform is one example of this – its award-winning content also comes with assessment and analytics options wrapped into one tool.

Pros of paid educational learning platforms

·       When the school pays, the school has more control. It will be easier for the school to manage staff and pupil access, retaining admin control and ensuring safeguarding processes can be followed.

• Security: With paid platforms, it’s reasonable to expect secure logins, encryption and access control. There may also be data backups if the platform runs on a server or via the cloud.
• Customer service: Paid platforms should have customer service available to iron out any issues. With SaaS platforms, everything should be administered by a customer service team who will be on hand to support you.
• Customisation: More advanced platforms can offer more customisation, especially if the system is part of a software suite and all data can be integrated. This can create a more personalised and engaging learning experience for students.
• Integration: Paid platforms that are part of a software suite can create a joined up experience where data value is maximised and accessibility is prioritised.

Cons of paid educational learning platforms

• Affordability: Even for lower cost platforms, if the budget isn’t available, this can stop the process in its tracks. As schools have stretched budgets already, it can be challenging to find extra. Plus, there may be ongoing subscription costs to factor in.
• Limited access: If the software can only be accessed on-site, pupils may not be able to use it for revision and homework.
• There’s more to lose: If a free platform isn’t working, you can switch without incurring fees. But with a paid platform, the school may be locked into a contract or there could be early termination fees. It’s therefore more important to get a demo and feel fully confident in the software before signing up.

Want to explore free and paid platforms in more detail? Access Education has reviewed six e-learning platforms in depth, listing out the features as well as the pros and cons.

AI is becoming more commonplace in everyday life and is likely to become part of the platforms you use over time. For example, Seneca already has an AI assistant, as well as the option for teachers to set AI-marked exam questions.

The government has outlined plans to bring AI into the classroom, helping teachers mark homework faster and save time. However, regulated access is going to be important to avoid pupils cutting corners and submitting assignments that have been produced by generative AI. In future, there will likely be a place for generative AI in the classroom, but it needs to be carefully managed.

If you’re deciding between free and paid educational learning platforms, consider these questions to help you pick the right option:

1. What budget is available? This can help you ascertain what’s possible. If budget is limited or unavailable, would it be possible to build a use case for paid platforms in future?
2. Do you have the tech resources to roll out a new paid platform? Consider who will take care of vendor management, who will be responsible for implementation, who will have access and how this will be managed.
3. How will platform usage be monitored and regulated? Some free options may require individual logins, making it difficult to regulate how they are being used across the organisation.
4. How user friendly is the platform? For paid platforms, be sure to get a demo from the provider. With free platforms, it’s advisable to try them with a small workstream before introducing them to the rest of the school.  
5. What support options can you access? With paid options in particular, make sure you will get adequate support when you need it.
6. Does the content offer sufficient breadth? Make sure the content will be relevant for different learners and age groups.  

At Access Education we have the pleasure of hearing first-hand how schools are using our digital learning platform and what they’re getting out of it. Here’s what schools had to say:

“We've seen increasing exam results...GCSEPod is one of those key tools that has made a difference across our four schools." James Hind, Deputy CEO of the South Lincolnshire Academies Trust.

“The resources provided by GCSEPod have been a game-changer. The new Key Stage 3 curriculum materials are particularly well-received.” Evans Njihia, IT Administrator, Naisula School.

“Access GCSEPod has been more than just a learning tool for our English as an Additional Language (EAL) students; it has become a lifeline. For our Ukrainian refugees, in particular, the platform has provided a sense of normalcy and routine… these students have found solace and purpose, fostering a sense of belonging within the school community”. Debbie Feather, Raising Achievement Manager, Furze Platt School.

“GCSEPod has been used at Newcastle High School for Girls and its predecessor schools since 2012. I have increasingly embedded content into lessons since the new GCSE specifications were launched in 2016, because they are absolutely tailored to match each section of the History course that we follow.” Stephen Lovell, History Teacher, Newcastle High School for Girls.

Discover an educational learning platform that actively improves grades

Access GCSEPod is a digital learning platform for secondary schools, offering content for core Key Stage 3 subjects and 30+ GCSE subjects. The platform is proven to help students achieve at least one grade higher on average than non-users, and it builds confidence, encouraging students to learn more independently. See the platform in action or contact our team to get a personalised demo.