InstiKit vs Smart School
Both are self-hosted school management systems you buy once on CodeCanyon and run on your own server. The difference is in what the base licence includes, the technology underneath, and what you pay for as the school grows.
Facts checked on 20 October 2026.
Which one should you choose?
Choose InstiKit if
- You want multi-branch, WhatsApp and biometric attendance in one licence instead of buying add-ons one by one.
- Your developers prefer a modern Laravel and Vue.js codebase that is easier to extend and hire for.
- You want free Android and iOS apps for teachers, parents and students from the app stores.
- You want to start free with InstiKit Lite, or move to a hosted plan later without changing products.
Choose Smart School if
- You already run Smart School and your staff are trained on it.
- You need a specific add-on it offers, such as its CBSE examination add-on or thermal receipt printing.
- You prefer a CodeIgniter codebase that your team already knows.
At a glance
| Feature | InstiKit | Smart School |
|---|---|---|
| Licence price | Lite free, Regular $49 direct ($59 on CodeCanyon), Premium $299 (one-time) | Regular $89, Extended $1,499 (one-time) |
| Hosted option | InstiKit Cloud, billed per student per year | Self-hosted licence on CodeCanyon |
| Framework | Laravel, Vue.js 3, Tailwind CSS | CodeIgniter |
| Server | PHP 8.x, MySQL, shared server or VPS | PHP 8.x, MySQL 5.x or 8.x |
| Support included | 12 months when bought direct (6 months for Regular on CodeCanyon) | 6 months, extendable to 12 for a fee |
| Mobile apps | Free Android and iOS apps | Android app sold separately |
| Latest release | Version 5.7.0, July 2026 | Version 7.2.0, August 2026 |
Modules and features
| Feature | InstiKit | Smart School |
|---|---|---|
| Admissions, students and guardians | Included | Included |
| Fees and online payments | Included | Included |
| Exams, marksheets and report cards | Regular and above | Included; CBSE exam pattern is a paid add-on |
| Online exams | Included | Included |
| Library, transport and inventory | Regular and above | Included |
| Hostel and mess | Premium | Hostel included |
| Multi-branch | Premium | Paid add-on |
| WhatsApp messaging | Premium | Paid add-on ($49) |
| QR code attendance | Included | Paid add-on ($49) |
| Biometric attendance | Premium (device integration) | Separate desktop app bought from QDOCS |
| Two-factor login | Included (authenticator app) | Paid add-on |
| Face attendance, timetable generation, AI | InstiKit Cloud | Not listed |
| Android and iOS apps | Free on the app stores | Android app sold separately |
InstiKit edition details are on the edition comparison.
What it costs in practice
One school with two branches that wants WhatsApp messages, QR attendance and multi-branch, bought on regular licences.
InstiKit
- InstiKit Premium (multi-branch, WhatsApp, QR attendance, 12 months support, free installation)
- $299
Smart School
- Smart School regular licence
- $89
- Add-on bundle (the 11 add-ons listed on the item page, including multi-branch, WhatsApp and QR attendance)
- $199
- Android app and installation
- Extra
Listed prices on the date shown below, before taxes and Envato fees. Commercial use, such as running the software for paying client schools, needs InstiKit Premium or a Smart School extended licence.
Switching from Smart School
- 1Export students, guardians and staff from Smart School as spreadsheets.
- 2Import them into InstiKit with the built-in student, guardian, employee and fee payment imports, then set up classes, fee structures and exams.
- 3Run both systems side by side for one term if you want to compare fee and attendance reports before switching.
- 4Premium includes free installation, and our team can help plan the move.
See InstiKit with your own eyes
Get a free demo school account with sample data, or start with InstiKit Lite, which is free for small schools.
Frequently asked questions
Is InstiKit a good Smart School alternative?
Yes, if you want features such as multi-branch, WhatsApp and QR attendance in one licence, a Laravel and Vue.js codebase, and free mobile apps. Smart School suits schools already trained on it or that need one of its specific add-ons.
Which is cheaper, InstiKit or Smart School?
Smart School's base licence costs more than InstiKit Regular ($89 against $49 direct, or $59 on CodeCanyon). For a multi-branch school that needs WhatsApp and QR attendance, InstiKit Premium at $299 compares with $288 for Smart School plus its add-on bundle, before the separate Android app and installation.
Can I move my data from Smart School to InstiKit?
Yes. Export students, guardians and staff as spreadsheets and import them into InstiKit. Classes, fee structures and exam settings are set up once in InstiKit.
Do both run on shared hosting?
Both run on a PHP 8 server with MySQL. InstiKit Lite and Regular run on shared hosting; a VPS is recommended for larger schools on either product.
Can I try InstiKit before buying?
Yes. Request a free demo school account, or start with InstiKit Lite, which is free for small schools.
Sources
Smart School is a product of QDOCS, which is not affiliated with InstiKit. Facts were checked on 20 October 2026 from the public pages below and may have changed since.