Grade Our Essays vs Class Companion
Looking for a Class Companion alternative?
Class Companion gives students instant AI feedback across subjects. Grade Our Essays is built for ELA teachers who want every essay scored on their state rubric and reviewed before students see it.
No credit card required.
Side by side
Grade Our Essays and Class Companion compared
Class Companion details come from its public website, checked November 11, 2026. Plans change, so check their site for the latest.
| Feature | Grade Our Essays | Class Companion |
|---|---|---|
| Built for | K-12 ELA writing, grades 3 to 12 | AI feedback and tutoring for written and multiple-choice assignments in all subjects. Now part of Panorama Education |
| Rubrics | 500+ official state writing rubrics covering all 50 states, including STAAR | Custom rubrics plus a public library with test-prep content (STAAR, CAASPP, AP and others) |
| Score for each rubric trait | Yes, every trait on every essay | Not described on its public site |
| Evidence behind scores | Quotes the student's own sentences for each score | Not described on its public site |
| Teacher approval before students see it | Always. Nothing is released until you approve it | Configurable per assignment. Instant feedback by default, or released when the teacher chooses |
| How students get in | Class code. Students do not create accounts | Student accounts by email, Google or Clever, with a join code |
| Integrations | One-click share of assignments to Google Classroom (no grade sync) | Canvas, Schoology and Google Classroom on School and District plans |
| Free option | 14-day free trial, no credit card | Free teacher plan |
| Paid plans | From $4.99/month, limited by assignments per month. Schools and districts by quote | School and District plans by demo. No published prices |
| Student privacy | FERPA and COPPA compliant. Student writing is never used to train AI models | Supports FERPA and COPPA compliance per its privacy policy |
An honest take
Which one fits you
Choose Class Companion if
- You want students to get instant feedback and revise on their own, with multiple attempts
- You teach subjects beyond ELA, including AP history formats
- You want a free teacher plan with no published usage cap
Choose Grade Our Essays if
- You want to review and approve every score before a student sees it
- You grade on your official state writing rubric, trait by trait
- You want each score to quote the sentences it is based on
- You would rather students join with a class code than create accounts
FAQ
Grade Our Essays vs Class Companion: questions
Is Grade Our Essays a good alternative to Class Companion?
It is if your priority is grading essays on your state rubric with you approving every score. If you want students to get instant AI feedback and revise without a teacher step, Class Companion is built for that.
Do students need accounts on Grade Our Essays?
No. Students join an assignment with a class code. Class Companion has students join with an email address, Google or Clever.
Does Grade Our Essays work with Google Classroom?
You can post an assignment to Google Classroom in one click, with the title and link filled in. Students then join with the class code. Grades are not synced back to Classroom.
How does pricing work?
Teachers start with a 14-day free trial, no credit card. Paid plans are billed monthly or yearly and are limited by assignments per month. Schools and districts can request a free pilot.
Sources
- Class Companion plans
- Class Companion: adding students
- Panorama: completing assignments (feedback timing)
- Class Companion privacy policy
Class Companion is a trademark of its owner. Grade Our Essays is not affiliated with Class Companion.
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