Symbaloo

What Symbaloo is

Symbaloo is a homepage and bookmark manager for finding, saving, organizing, and sharing online resources. Its customizable Webmix grids can hold links to websites, tools, files, and widgets, with sharing through a URL or embed code. Webmixes can also bring together embedded videos, RSS feeds, weather widgets, and document links. Educators can use Learning Paths to arrange embedded resources and activities, including multiple-choice and open questions, into tile-based lessons. Schools can connect OneRoster services such as Clever and Classlink to synchronize classes and student rosters. Symbaloo offers a free plan and a free trial. Paid plans include Personal Premium at $34.95 a year, Classroom at $69 a year, Library at $699 a year, and Schools & Districts at $999 a year. It is available on the web and as a browser extension, but its mobile apps have been removed from app stores. Symbaloo says Webspaces are COPPA compliant and offer child-safe mode to block cookie-based ads.

Who it suits

Symbaloo suits people who want a customizable start page for organizing online resources, and educators or schools assembling lessons and class resources. Its education tools are described for classrooms, schools, districts, and virtual libraries.

Limits

The free plan is ad-supported. Personal Premium costs $34.95 a year and has no Webspace; Classroom includes 5,000 ad-free Webspace pageviews per month, Library includes 20,000, and Schools & Districts includes 75,000 pageviews.

Getting started

1. Visit the Symbaloo website.
2. Choose the free plan or a paid plan.
3. Use Symbaloo on the web or install its browser extension.
4. Create a Webmix to arrange links and other supported content.
5. For classroom roster syncing, connect a OneRoster system such as Clever or Classlink.
6. On iOS or Android, add the website to the home screen.

Verdict

Symbaloo brings bookmarks and learning resources into shareable grids, with additional lesson-building and school roster features. Check the plan limits and note that mobile access is through the website rather than an app-store app.