Overview

Instructors can use iClicker to collect answers and feedback, run quizzes, track attendance and review participation. Students can join through mobile apps, a web app or physical iClicker remotes, giving classes alternatives to phone-only participation. The course determines whether a student needs a subscription, so students may have less control over the cost than instructors selecting a tool independently.

Founded in 1997, iClicker is part of the Macmillan Learning family. It serves both classroom-level teaching workflows and institution-wide deployments, with integrations for Blackboard, Canvas, Brightspace by D2L and Moodle, plus roster and grade sync, CSV integration and single sign-on.

Key features

Polling supports multiple-choice, multiple-answer, short-answer, numeric, target, formula or symbol, and anonymous questions. That range suits instructors who need more than quick multiple-choice checks, while anonymous responses provide a way to collect input without attaching answers to students. Live polling, quiz mode and slide integrations bring these activities into classroom instruction.

The AI Question Creator can generate up to 50 questions and use uploaded files as context. It can help instructors prepare question sets, though the stated limit makes it a bounded aid rather than an unlimited question generator.

Attendance tracking supports in-person and virtual classes. iClicker Pulse adds auto-run class sessions and late-arrival tracking, useful when attendance administration is a priority. The instructor gradebook reports in real time on student and class performance, attendance and participation, bringing those records together for review.

Institutional information describes AWS hosting, firewall protection, segregated Virtual Private Cloud architecture and third-party penetration testing. It also states FERPA and FIPPA compliance and 1EdTech Data Privacy Certification. The mobile and web platforms have been independently audited to meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards. Support includes articles, tutorials, customer support, training and access to iClicker specialists.

Pricing

iClicker uses a freemium model, but student access is course-dependent: an enrolled course determines whether a subscription is required. Listed prices are for U.S. customers; international and partner pricing requires contacting iClicker.

Instructor account: Free, always free for instructors. It provides instructor access without a subscription charge.
iClicker Pulse — 6 months: 4.99 USD per month. Includes attendance tracking, auto-run class sessions and late-arrival tracking; it is the lower-cost fit for students whose course centers on attendance.
iClicker Pulse — 12 months: 7.99 USD per month, billed annually. It includes the same attendance features over a longer term, so students should compare the annual commitment with their course schedule.
iClicker Pro — 6 months: 15.99 USD per month. Adds LMS grade and attendance sync, live polling and quizzing, assignments, study tools, focus reports, group learning and emoji reactions. It fits courses using the broader teaching and study toolkit, but costs more than Pulse.
iClicker Pro — 12 months: 24.99 USD per month, billed annually. It includes the Pro feature set; the annual billing term merits checking against the student's expected course use.
Institutional enterprise plans: custom pricing for departmental and institutional access. Contact iClicker for details.

The cheaper Pulse plans cover attendance functions rather than the broader Pro suite of polling, quizzing and study tools. Since the course sets the subscription requirement, students should verify the applicable plan before paying.

Platforms

iClicker lists Android, iOS, macOS, web and Windows platforms. Students can use Apple or Android smartphones, the student web app or physical remotes. Instructor desktop software for iClicker Cloud is available for Windows and Mac; its minimum requirements are Windows 10 or newer and macOS 12 or newer.

Who it's for

iClicker is a strong fit for instructors who want classroom interaction, attendance and performance reporting in a single workflow, particularly where LMS integration or multiple ways to respond matter. Institutions can consider its enterprise plans for departmental or institutional access. It is less straightforward for students choosing a standalone tool, since course requirements govern subscriptions and Pro carries a notably higher price than Pulse.

Pros and cons

Pro: Students can respond by app, web or physical remote, giving instructors options beyond smartphone participation.
Pro: A broad set of polling question formats, anonymous responses and quiz mode supports different classroom activities.
Pro: Pulse combines attendance tracking with auto-run sessions and late-arrival tracking, while the instructor gradebook reports on participation and performance.
Pro: LMS integrations and roster and grade sync support established course workflows.
Con: Student subscription needs depend on the enrolled course, making individual cost planning less predictable.
Con: Pro costs more than Pulse, so students needing only attendance functions may be paying for features they do not use.
Con: Instructor desktop software has minimum requirements of Windows 10 or newer or macOS 12 or newer.

Alternatives

For a different classroom response tool, compare the Audience Response Systems and Student Response Systems categories.

Poll Everywhere is worth considering for a free entry point with a 40-person audience cap, or a 700-person cap for 30 days; it also offers a free trial.
Slidea suits readers seeking a free presentation-oriented option with up to 250 participants per month, five live quizzes and PPT/PDF imports.
StreamAlive offers unlimited sessions on its free plan, but caps each session at five participants.
Votinova has a free plan capped at 50 participants per session and one simultaneous session, with six question types.
Kahoot! is an alternative for a free classic quiz experience with up to 40 participants and quiz or true/false question types.
AhaSlides offers a free plan for up to 50 participants, with five quiz questions and three poll questions.
PollQR may suit readers who need a single live poll on a free plan or a pay-as-you-go option without a subscription.
Vevox offers a free web plan for 100 participants and one user.

Verdict

Choose iClicker if you teach or support courses that need polling, attendance and gradebook reporting together, especially when students benefit from app, web and remote participation options. Its course-connected access and substantial Pro price are the main reasons to look elsewhere if you need a predictable individual subscription or only basic polling.

	ClassPulse	iClicker
Free plan		Yes
Paid from		$4.99/mo
Platforms	Web	Android, iOS, macOS, Web, Windows
Live polling	Yes	Yes
Question types	varied
Quiz mode	Yes	Yes
Anonymous responses	Yes	Yes
Free plan		Yes
Paid from		4.99 /mo
Slide integrations		Yes

ClassPulse vs iClicker

ClassPulse

iClicker