If you still rely on outdated methods to manage student records in piles of files - You must stop right there!
Gone are the days when managing documents was crazy work. Especially with the COVID-19, educational institutes were forced to go online. That was the time when educational organizations turned to technology to simplify and automate campus processes. That’s exactly why you need a Student management system.
In this blog, we have put together the 7 best student management software solutions and their features so that you can select what suits your institute.
Selecting the appropriate student management software is essential for optimizing educational administration. Here are the top 7 best student management softwares 2025:
1. Ekklavya e-Campus
Ekklavya e-Campus is a leading online student management software. Its user-friendly interface and advanced functionalities make it a preferred choice for elite institutions like SIBM Pune and Vishwakarma Institute of Management Pune.
Key Features:
Customizable Dashboard: Tailor the interface to meet your institution's specific requirements.
Efficient Record Management: Simplifies maintaining accurate student records.
Integrated Communication: Facilitates seamless communication between teachers, students, and parents.
Scalable Solution: Suitable for schools, colleges, and universities of any size.
Administrative Automation: Automates HR and payroll, inventory management, and other administrative tasks.
Why Choose Ekklavya e-Campus?
With a user-friendly design and robust features, it empowers institutions to enhance productivity and improve decision-making.
2. Alma
Alma offers modern tools to improve student information management while fostering collaboration between educators and parents.
Features:
Real-time data access for better insights.
Automated scheduling and reporting tools.
Parent-teacher communication through a dedicated portal.
Pros:
Sleek, intuitive interface.
Scalable for growing institutions.
Cons:
Limited integrations with third-party tools.
Challenges with the grading platform
3. Gradelink SIS
Gradelink is easy-to-use SIS software to help your school save time on student management.
Features:
Personalized Support
Training to staff and teachers
Friendly- User Interface
Priced at $103 per school per month
Cons:
Expensive for small institutes.
Speed and performance issues during peak times.
4. PowerSchool
PowerSchool is a popular choice for K-12 schools seeking to centralize student information and streamline administrative workflows.
Features:
Advanced data analytics for informed decision-making.
Cloud-based architecture for seamless access.
Customizable grade book and assessment tools.
Cons:
Higher pricing for additional features
Limited integration capabilities.
Slow customer support response.
5. Skyward
Skyward focuses on improving efficiency through its simple yet powerful student management system.
Features:
Simplified attendance and grading tools.
Family access for real-time student updates.
Financial management for school fees and resources.
Cons:
Outdated interface
Customization options for teachers are limited
Requires training for advanced functionality.
6. Sycamore School
Sycamore School is a web-based SIS designed for small to mid-sized institutions.
Features:
An all-in-one platform covering student data, attendance, and scheduling.
Customizable reports and analytics.
Integrated communication tools.
Cons:
Communication Tool Limitations
System glitches in peak time
7. Classe365
Classe365 offers a unified platform for student management, learning management, and analytics.
Features:
AI-powered insights for student performance tracking.
Integration with third-party applications.
Cloud-based accessibility for educators and administrators.
Cons:
Pricing structure is less favorable for small institutes.
Notable incidents of server lag by users
Advanced features are only available in premium plans
Now that we have seen all top student management softwares, let us also understand what it is and why you need it.
Student management software (SMS) is a digital tool designed to streamline the administration of educational institutions. It is a single platform that helps to manage all student data-related functions like:
Admission
Attendance Grades School Fees Subject wise syllabus Academic Calendar Exam Timetable Student Performance ReportsIn an educational institute, managing student records involves bundles of paperwork and files. A student management system (SMS) handles everything on the cloud. So, not only does it eliminate the dependency on physical paperwork, but it also automates campus administrative tasks, enhancing overall efficiency.
Now, who uses Student Management Software? So, the primary target users are:
School administrators - They use SMS to oversee the overall administration of the school, manage student records, and ensure compliance with educational regulations.
College Professors or teachers - Educators rely on SMS to effectively manage their classrooms. They can track attendance, input grades, communicate with parents, and analyze student performance.
Students - To get updates on the syllabus, assignments, or upcoming tests, an SMS is of great help to students.
Parents- SMS often includes a portal for parents, enabling them to access their child’s academic records, attendance, and communication with teachers.
When selecting a Student Information System (SIS) for your school, ask yourself these questions:
1. What Features Does the SIS Offer?
Does the system provide core functionalities such as attendance tracking, grade management, fee collection, and parental communication?
How user-friendly is the interface? Will teachers, administrators, and parents find it easy to navigate?
Is there mobile accessibility for on-the-go access to important information for students and parents?
2. What Is Your Budget?
What are the upfront and ongoing costs?
Are there funding opportunities available to help with expenses?
Now, budget constraints can be an issue for small educational institutes. So, to navigate that, they must consider narrowing down their alternatives of choosing an SMS. Ekklaya’s e-Campus automation software is a perfect solution designed to meet such needs.
3. How Secure Is the System?
What security measures protect student data?
Does it comply with regulations like FERPA or GDPR?
Can you control who sees or edits student information?
4. Can the System Be Customized?
Can you tailor the SIS to fit your school’s specific needs?
Is it scalable to accommodate future growth and changes?
5. How Well Does It Integrate?
Does it work seamlessly with your existing systems and software?
How easy is it to migrate data from your current system?
Can it connect with third-party tools for added functionality?
After considering key factors like budget, objectives, preferences, and integration, you must look at the following features in a student database management software:
User-Friendly Dashboard - Start with the basics. The dashboard must be simple and easy to use, as not only teachers but also students and parents will use it.
Attendance Management - To record, track, and monitor student present days, sick leaves, and overall attendance results.
Examination and Evaluation Modules - These tools make it easier to set up exams, manage question papers, and evaluate student performance.
Administrative Management - to keep a database of student records.
Communication Channels - for seamless interaction between teachers and parents.
Reporting and Analytics - to generate detailed reports on student performance, attendance, and other metrics
Course and Schedule Management - helps student manage their study plans by sharing academic calendars.
Student Fee Management - helps schools handle fee payments efficiently.
Library Management - to keep track of library resources, borrowing history, etc.
The global market of student information management systems is expected to grow to $32.04 billion in 2029, according to Market and Market Report 2024. The report also shows growth in CAGR by 15.9% from 2024 to 2029. So, the data clearly highlights how K-12 institutes, colleges, and academic organizations can see a lot of potential and value in these systems. Besides, student management software also makes students life a lot easier for students.
Here are some benefits of using software for student management:
Effective Communication - As everything is centralized on one platform, communication becomes easy - for parents, students, teachers, and even administrative staff. Instead of traveling all the way to school, they can send messages, emails, or any updates directly on the software.
Easy Attendance Tracking - Students and teachers don’t have to worry about attendance. In cloud-based software, student attendance is recorded automatically. So your teachers can keep track of it without any hassle. The software even generates reports automatically.
Reduction in Paperwork - Having a software for student management reduces the amount of paperwork involved. From attendance, grade tracking, and assignment submissions, everything can be streamlined online without reliance on physical documents. This not only saves time and resources but also reduces clutter.
Improves Teacher’s Efficiency - A lot of the administrative burden of teachers is relieved because of the management system. This is why teachers can dedicate more time and energy to teaching and engaging with students.
Access to Materials Anytime - Students can upload, download, and work on assignments all in one place. This e-learning management feature lets everyone access materials from one platform. Students can also download their submissions again for future needs.
Easy Payment Options - If parents need to pay fees, they can do it online! No need to stand in long lines at school. The best part is that the software gives timely SMS updates about unpaid fees. This proactive communication helps avoid any potential embarrassment in class due to unpaid fees, allowing students to focus on their studies without worry.
Given the multitude of irresistible perks of student management softwares, many educational institutes have started shifting to it. While there are many benefits, there are some serious concerns as well. Concerns relating to data security.
Using student data management software means dealing with sensitive student information. This can include personal student data, such as family, occupation, residence, health records, academic records, and a lot more. Maintaining such critical data of not one but hundreds or thousands of students is a tough task. If any data breach happens, the educational institute can be charged hefty fines.
In the U.S., educational institutions must adhere to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) Act. Just like in India, we have RTI and IT Act for data governance. Now the real question comes- Is your Student data management software secure and compliant? And how do I check that?
To know if your student management software is secure, check for these non-negotiables:
ISO 270001 Certificate
Compliance with country-wise regulations like the IT Act, FERPA, etc.
High-end Encryption Methods
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
No. of Security Audits and third-party assessments
That is for the vendor. Now, here is what you can do as an institute for precautionary protection:
1. Always have 2-factor authentication or biometrics enabled for important files so that not everyone can easily access them.
2. Conduct routine clean-ups to remove files that are no longer needed.
3. Be careful while sharing student records. It should be their parents or guardians and not any relatives.
4. Encrypt all sensitive files with passwords.
5. Check if computers are not left logged in when unattended to prevent unauthorized access.
6. Educate and train Teachers, admin staff, and even students on cybercrime.
eCampus by Ekklavya Solutions is the best student management software.
An effective Student Management System (SMS) is one that manages the admission process, attendance, tuition fees, and all other data of students in a simplified and organized manner.