Side by side
ClassMarker vs TAO
Both stand on automated grading software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+4
Choose ClassMarker if you need a flexible assessment system with question reuse, instant results, detailed analytics, and optional browser based proctoring. The free plan and 30-day trial provide a way to start, while organizations planning paid use should review the credit limits and confirm plan pricing.
Visit ClassMarker
Free plan Open source APILinuxMac+3
TAO offers a broad assessment workflow, with authoring, scoring, reporting, and multiple delivery options. The free choices have different constraints: Starter is small-scale, while Community Edition requires self-hosting.
Visit TAOThe facts
| ClassMarker | TAO | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | No | Yes |
| Runs on | Android, API, iPhone, Linux, Mac, Web, Windows | API, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Web, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Professional 1: $19.95 a month | TAO Author: $149 a month |
| Plans published | 9 | 6 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | classmarker.com | taotesting.com |
| On automated grading software | #2 of 33 | #1 of 33 |
ClassMarker: what it does well
- Supports seven question formats and several scoring modes.
- Question banks support reuse and random selection.
- Instant grading comes with detailed analytics and CSV exports.
- Publishes through links, embeds, APIs, and webhooks.
- Proctoring includes identity verification without software installation.
What to know first
- Camera monitoring consumes 10 credits per attempt.
- Other tests and surveys also consume credits per attempt.
- Prices are not provided for named plans and credit packs.
TAO: what it does well
- Supports QTI 2.2 and QTI 3.0.
- Includes automatic and manual scoring.
- Offers self-hosted and cloud-hosted delivery.
- Free Starter includes one author seat.
- Community Edition provides access to source code.
What to know first
- Starter allows 50 learner attempts monthly.
- Starter includes one author seat.
- Starter is not designed for large team programs.
- Paid plan pricing varies; some plans are custom.
Alternatives to ClassMarker Alternatives to TAO The whole list