Planbook

Overview

Planbook combines lesson planning with student assessment for teachers and schools. It suits educators who want classes, schedules, standards progress, and shared plans together; its strongest case is linking preparation to classroom records, though school-level oversight requires a school account.

Teachers can arrange classes, lessons, units, schedules, and school events, then use student accounts to track attendance, grades, performance, and standards achievement. Planbook supports individual teachers as well as administrator and district workflows, but its planning-and-recordkeeping focus is less suited to educators seeking a tool centered on lesson generation.

Key features

Planning and assessment

Calendar view and standards alignment connect lesson organization with the timetable and learning goals. Student accounts extend that workflow to attendance, grades, performance, and standards achievement, and those accounts are free. This breadth is useful when teachers want planning and assessment in one service rather than separate tools.

Collaboration and school oversight

Teachers can share and collaborate on plans without a school account, making collaboration possible for colleagues who are not part of a centrally managed setup. School accounts add shared school items and administrator oversight, so schools needing those controls should consider the school-and-district licenses rather than treating the individual plan as equivalent.

Connections, files, and access

Google Classroom connections and syncing for selected Google Calendars and classes can reduce friction for teachers already using Google services. Files can be attached from Google Drive or Planbook Resources, with a 500 MB limit per file and no stated total storage limit. Apple, ClassLink, Clever, Google, and Microsoft single sign-on are supported.

Companion apps for iOS and Android use existing Planbook credentials, while the service is also web-based. Exports include PDF, Microsoft Word, Google Calendar, and Google Docs, offering several ways to carry plans into other workflows. Support includes a help center, video tutorials, free training webinars, email, and phone. Its privacy policy describes physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards, regular security reviews, backups, and systems designed in accordance with FERPA.

Pricing

Planbook is freemium, with a free plan and a 90-day trial. Student accounts are free, and manager accounts are also free for schools and districts. Paid pricing is organized either by individual teacher term or by school and district account count:

• Individual Teacher — 1 Year: 20.00 USD per year, billed Per Year for 1 year.
• Individual Teacher — 2 Years: 18.00 USD per year, billed Per Year for 2 years.
• Individual Teacher — 3 Years: 16.00 USD per year, billed Per Year for 3 years.
• School & District — 1–49 accounts: 18.00 USD per year, billed Per License.
• School & District — 50–249 accounts: 16.00 USD per year, billed Per License.
• School & District — 250+ accounts: 14.00 USD per year, billed Per License.

The longer individual terms lower the annual price but commit a teacher for two or three years. School pricing falls as the account band rises, making larger deployments less costly per license; the per-license structure means schools should match the tier to their account count. Paid plans are the clearer fit for longer-term individual use or school administration.

Platforms

Planbook runs on the web and has companion apps for Android and iOS. That combination suits teachers who plan at a computer and want mobile access using the same account.

Who it's for

Planbook is a strong fit for teachers who want lesson organization, calendar scheduling, student assessment, and standards alignment in one place. It also suits schools that need shared school items and administrator oversight, with manager accounts free for schools and districts. A teacher who only needs an individual account can collaborate without a school account, but should not expect school-level controls from that setup.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Planning, calendar views, standards alignment, and student assessment sit together, helping teachers connect lesson preparation with progress tracking.
• Pro: Free student accounts and collaboration without a school account lower barriers to involving learners and colleagues.
• Pro: Google connections, multiple sign-in options, mobile apps, and four export formats support varied school workflows.
• Con: School shared items and administrator oversight require school accounts, so an individual teacher setup does not cover centrally managed needs.

Alternatives

Lesson Planning Software is the broader category to browse when comparing lesson-planning tools.

• Planboard is another freemium option for Android, iOS, and web; consider it if you want a free digital lesson-planning option for teachers.
• PlanbookEdu is worth considering if free access to unlimited weekly plans, rotation schedules, word-processor editing, and iPad and phone support matters most.
• SchEDU may suit a teacher seeking auto-planning and automated activity or exam generation, with its free plan limited to two lifetime lesson plans and two subjects.
• Common Planner is a web-based alternative for teachers who want an AI-powered lesson assistant, multi-period planning, and posting up to 50 lessons to Google Classroom on its free plan.
• Lesson Maker Pro is a web option for educators seeking generated lessons and teaching-assistant messages, with its free plan capped at five generated lessons and one unit plan per month.
• LessonSmith is a web alternative whose paid Pro plan offers 40 lesson plans a month and subject assistants for 8.00 USD per month.
• LessonApp is a freemium web, iOS, and Android alternative.
• Lessonly is a web-based option with a free-forever plan.

Verdict

Choose Planbook if you want lesson planning, student assessment, and collaboration joined in a web-and-mobile service, especially when standards tracking or school oversight matters. Its free student accounts and range of paid seat bands strengthen the case. Look elsewhere if lesson generation is your priority or if multi-year individual pricing does not fit your budget horizon.