BalanceBoard vs Shovel
LOOKING FOR A SHOVEL ALTERNATIVE?
Shovel is a solid student planner — but it requires a subscription, doesn't sync with Google Classroom, and doesn't have any wellness tracking. Here's how BalanceBoard compares.
Try BalanceBoard free →Feature comparison
| Feature | BalanceBoard | Shovel |
|---|---|---|
| Google Classroom sync | Yes — automatic, free | No |
| Price | Free for core features | Paid subscription |
| Wellness / stress tracking | Yes — daily check-in built in | No |
| Weekly cross-class view | Yes | Yes |
| Built for high school | Yes — built by a HS student | General student app |
| Study session planning | Yes | Yes |
Feature information accurate to the best of our knowledge — verify current Shovel pricing and features on their site.
When Shovel is still the right call
If you don't use Google Classroom, the sync advantage disappears. Shovel has a clean interface with strong scheduling features. If you've already paid for it and it's working for you, stick with it. If you're evaluating for the first time and cost or Google Classroom sync is a factor, BalanceBoard is worth trying first.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good Shovel app alternative?
For high school students on Google Classroom, BalanceBoard is a strong Shovel alternative — it has Google Classroom sync that Shovel lacks, built-in wellness tracking, and the core features are free rather than behind a subscription.
Is BalanceBoard free compared to Shovel?
Yes. BalanceBoard's core features — Google Classroom sync, homework tracker, study planner, and wellness check-in — are all free. Shovel requires a paid subscription for full functionality.
Does BalanceBoard have Google Classroom integration like Shovel?
BalanceBoard has Google Classroom sync; Shovel does not. This is the main practical difference for most high school students — your assignments appear automatically in BalanceBoard without any manual entry.
Free for students. Google Classroom sync included. Setup takes 30 seconds.
Try BalanceBoard free →