Book Creator vs. Seesaw for student portfolios
Seesaw’s free Starter plan changed on June 30, 2026, and its paid tiers are schoolwide only, with no way for an individual teacher to upgrade.
Here is a sourced look at how the two compare on student portfolios today, so you can see what fits before you make the case to your school.
Free plan access
Can one teacher start today, or does it require a district purchase first?
Book Creator
Seesaw
no school purchase order needed
Student portfolio reach across grades
Does the portfolio follow a student for one year, or for their whole time in school?
Book Creator
Seesaw
in one continuous library
However, a book can serve as a portfolio without the district feature.
Classroom communication and LMS depth
Do you need one all-in-one elementary platform with family messaging and a gradebook, or a focused creation and portfolio tool that plugs into what you already run?
Book Creator
Seesaw
Demonstrable evidence of success
250M+
Over 250 million books made worldwide in Book Creator since 2011
97%
of special education teachers report a positive impact on progress
98%
of tech coaches surveyed would recommend Book Creator
97%
of teachers say it helps students take ownership of their learning
Where Book Creator has the advantage
If you’re evaluating tools for your program, these are the areas where Book Creator has an advantage.
Upgradeable, without a PO.
An individual teacher can go from a free account to a Premium account on their own, no school or approval required.
Unlimited creation and evidence.
There is no limit to how many photos, videos and voice recordings a student can add to their books.
One portfolio, through graduation.
The portfolio continues after elementary school. It is built to travel with a student across every grade.
The ISTE Seal of Alignment
What's more, CUSD 300 in Illinois have proven that use of Book Creator helps teachers and students meet multiple ISTE standards.
What will you create?
Book Creator is free to try. No setup required. Start a digital book today and see what your students can do when they have a real way to express themselves.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I try Book Creator without asking my school first?
Yes. The Starter plan is free for any individual teacher, with no credit card and no district approval needed to begin.
Does Book Creator's free plan work for a whole class?
The Starter plan supports unlimited students in one library of up to 40 books. If a class needs more books or more than one library, that requires an upgrade.
Can I run Book Creator and Seesaw side by side while I decide?
Yes. Both tools can be used at the same time without conflict, since neither requires exclusive access to shared logins like Google Classroom, Clever, or ClassLink.
Is Book Creator only for elementary students?
No. Book Creator and its Digital portfolios feature are built to be used from kindergarten through high school graduation, across subjects.
Does Book Creator include family messaging or a gradebook?
No. Book Creator focuses on student creation and portfolios and integrates with the LMS and gradebook a school already uses, rather than replacing them. Parents can view the feedback in the comments via their students account. Additionally teachers can share a link to a students portfolio with parents.
Product information, features, and pricing for Seesaw are based on publicly available information as of August 2026 and are subject to change without notice. Kami is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Seesaw Learning, Inc. All trademarks, product names, and company names are the property of their respective owners. We’ve made every effort to ensure accuracy — if you spot something outdated, let us know at marketing@kamiapp.com.