ClassMana vs PBIS Rewards
PBIS Rewards and ClassMana both help you recognize positive behavior. The difference is scope.
PBIS Rewards is a school-wide PBIS management system. Schools and districts buy it so that every staff member can award points, students can spend them in a school rewards store, families can follow along, and the behavior team can track referrals.
ClassMana is a gamified classroom management app that one teacher runs in their own classroom. Students customize an animated 3D avatar, earn Experience to level up, use powers, buy items in the class shop and team up to defeat monsters. You can start on your own, without waiting for a school decision.
If your school already uses PBIS Rewards, you don't have to pick one. ClassMana works well on top of a school-wide PBIS system.
ClassMana vs PBIS Rewards at a glance
| Feature | ClassMana | PBIS Rewards |
|---|---|---|
| Main purpose | In-class gamification and motivation | School-wide PBIS management |
| Who buys it | Individual teacher or school | School or district |
| Positive behavior points | ✅ Experience, gold and mana | ✅ Points awarded by any staff member |
| Rewards store | ✅ Class shop | ✅ School rewards store and event check-in |
| Teams / houses | ✅ Teams | ✅ House Groups with leaderboard |
| Staff rewards | ❌ | ✅ Teacher Rewards |
| Animated, customizable 3D avatars | ✅ 35 levels of gear, plus pets | ❌ |
| Levels and powers (classroom privileges) | ✅ | ❌ |
| Boss battle review game | ✅ Monster Battle | ❌ |
| Quests / learning adventures | ✅ Optional add-on | ❌ |
| Family app | ❌ | ✅ |
| Behavior referral system | ❌ | ✅ Paid add-on |
| Digital hall pass | ❌ | ✅ Paid add-on |
| Clever / ClassLink rostering | ❌ | ✅ |
| Native mobile apps | ❌ Mobile-friendly web app | ✅ iOS, Android and Amazon |
| Teacher can sign up alone | ✅ | ❌ School or district quote |
| Pricing | From $65 per year per teacher | Quote-based |
Last updated: October 2026. Features and prices change; check each vendor's website.
See ClassMana pricing for all options. The ClassMana School plan starts at $1 per student per year (minimum 150 students), with unlimited teachers.
Where ClassMana is different
Students play a game. Every reward gives Experience, and Experience levels up the student's animated 3D avatar. With 35 levels of gear to unlock, plus pets, students always have something to work toward. That's what keeps older students engaged long after a points total stops being exciting.
Privileges as powers. Students spend mana on powers you choose, like picking their seat, extra time on an assignment, or being the teacher's helper. It's a natural fit for PBIS teams that prefer privileges over prizes.
Calm corrections. A warning lowers a student's health, but never takes away Experience. If health reaches zero, the student "falls" and redeems themselves with a positive action. Health can be restored on a weekly schedule, so a fresh start is built in.
Whole-class moments. The Monster Battle turns review into a 3D boss fight. The Silence Challenge turns quiet work into a class goal. Mystery Events add a daily surprise.
Fast to start. Paste your students' first names, one per line, and you're ready. Students log in with their name and a login code. ClassMana doesn't need student emails or personal information.
When PBIS Rewards is the better choice
PBIS Rewards is the better fit when your school needs:
- A single PBIS system for every staff member, used across classrooms, hallways and events
- A behavior referral workflow with office alerts and follow-up tracking
- A family app so parents can see their child's points
- Rostering through Clever or ClassLink
- Staff recognition through Teacher Rewards
- Integrations with case management and SEL curricula
Those are school-level needs. ClassMana doesn't try to cover them.
What ClassMana doesn't do
ClassMana has no parent messaging, no referral or discipline tracking, no school-wide PBIS analytics and no native apps (it runs in the browser on any device). LMS integration is coming soon. ClassMana also doesn't sync points with PBIS Rewards.
Using both together
Your school keeps PBIS Rewards for school-wide acknowledgments, the school store, referrals and family visibility. In your classroom, ClassMana makes the same expectations feel like a game:
- Name your rewards after your school-wide expectations, so students hear the same language everywhere
- Turn the privileges your school already uses into powers
- Use the class shop as a classroom-sized version of the school store
- Use teams, the Silence Challenge and Monster Battles for class-wide goals
- Use the Activity Log to prepare for student check-ins and PBIS meetings
Read the full guide: How to use ClassMana alongside your school's PBIS system.
FAQ
Can ClassMana replace PBIS Rewards?
Not if your school depends on PBIS Rewards for school-wide data, referrals or family access. ClassMana is built for the classroom. It complements your PBIS platform; it doesn't replace it.
Will students get confused by two point systems?
In practice, students understand it quickly: school points are for the whole building, and ClassMana is "our class game". Using your school's expectation names for ClassMana rewards keeps everything consistent.
Do I need my school's approval to use ClassMana?
ClassMana can be used by an individual teacher, but always follow your school's policies for new tools. ClassMana only needs students' first names, and has published privacy pages for laws like New York Ed Law 2-d and Quebec Law 25.
How much does ClassMana cost?
The instant tools are free, and you can try a full class for three weeks. Paid plans start from $65 per year per teacher, and the School plan is $1 per student per year (minimum 150 students). See pricing.
Try ClassMana for free
Start with the free instant tools, or set up your first class in a few minutes. Get started with ClassMana