Gradescope vs Alayna
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. Gradescope starts at See pricing page and Alayna starts at $9.99/mo. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
At a glance
Best for
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- AI answer grouping
- Rubric grading
- Paper exam scanning
- Code autograder
- LMS grade sync
- 50 teaching agents
- Google Slides generator
- Handwritten essay grading
- Differentiated materials
- One-click Google exports
- Class analytics
| Feature | Gradescope | Alayna |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | AI-assisted grading for exams, homework and code assignments | AI teaching assistant, slides generator and essay grader for K-12 |
| Category | Education | Education |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Free trial |
| Starting price | See pricing page | $9.99/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | No, 7-day trial |
| Made by | Turnitin | Alayna |
| Based in | United States | – |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
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Pricing compared
Gradescope starts at See pricing page and Alayna starts at $9.99/mo. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
2 plans
Basic
Free
- Free for individual instructors
- Core grading features
Institutional
Contact sales
- Full feature set for institutions
- One-term institutional trial
4 plans
AI Teaching Assistant
$9.99/mo
- 50 teaching agents
- Magic Materials included
- Unlimited conversations
- Google exports
Slides Generator
$99/yr
- Unlimited slide decks
- 35+ themes and 70+ layouts
- PDF, YouTube and Doc import
GradingPal
$19/mo
- Handwriting OCR
- Rubric scoring and feedback
- Class analytics
School & District
Contact sales
- School-wide licensing
Prices in USD, checked Oct 28, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
Gradescope
- Speeds up grading of large classes
- Consistent rubric application
- Handles code and paper exams
- AI grouping needs institutional licence
- Setup takes effort for new courses
Alayna
- Built specifically for K-12
- Grades handwritten work
- FERPA and COPPA compliant
- Grading is a separate subscription
- Tied closely to Google Workspace
- No free plan after the trial
Which one should you choose?
Choose Gradescope if you want:
- Speeds up grading of large classes
- Consistent rubric application
- Handles code and paper exams
Watch out: ai grouping needs institutional licence.
Choose Alayna if you want:
- Built specifically for K-12
- Grades handwritten work
- FERPA and COPPA compliant
Watch out: grading is a separate subscription.
Gradescope vs Alayna FAQ
What is the difference between Gradescope and Alayna?
Gradescope: AI-assisted grading for exams, homework and code assignments. Alayna: AI teaching assistant, slides generator and essay grader for K-12. Both are education tools.
Is Gradescope or Alayna cheaper?
Gradescope starts at See pricing page and Alayna starts at $9.99/mo. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Do Gradescope and Alayna have free plans?
Gradescope: Yes. Alayna: No, 7-day trial.
Who makes Gradescope?
Gradescope is made by Turnitin, based in United States.
Who makes Alayna?
Alayna is made by Alayna.
Which should I choose, Gradescope or Alayna?
Choose Gradescope if you value speeds up grading of large classes and consistent rubric application. Choose Alayna if you value built specifically for k-12 and grades handwritten work.