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ARS Vendor Comparison

Compare leading audience response hardware vendors

When we first tried to learn about Audience Response Systems, it quickly became overwhelming. First, they go by many names: Audience response, classroom clickers, voting keypads, classroom performance systems, classroom response systems, personal response systems, student response systems, audience polling, interactive, wireless, conference, meeting... Wow. Yikes!

We found over 25 different systems. What are the basic prices? Who are the leaders? That's why we've compiled this detailed ARS comparison for 10 vendors. It's not a full buyer's guide, but we think it's a good start.

Audience Response System Vendor Comparison Matrix

A detailed survey of audience response hardware vendors

Scroll left/right to view this large table. Vendors on the left tend to be corporate-focused, and vendors on the right tent to be education-focused. Simplify your view by hiding any vendors you aren't interested in, or unhide vendors using this list.

	IML Machine Dreams (hide)	nTag (hide)	Meridia (hide)	Fleetwood Reply & derivatives (hide)	TurningPoint (hide)	Poll Everywhere (hide)	Qwizdom (hide)	eInstruction Interwrite PRS, EduQue (hide)	iClicker (hide)	H-ITT (hide)
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Product image (click to enlarge)
Website	imlaudienceresponse.com	ntag.com	meridiaars.com	replysystems.com	turningtechnologies.com	polleverywhere.com	qwizdom.com	einstruction.com	iclicker.com	h-itt.com
Overview	IML is an innovative leader in ARS features, and is the only response system certified secure for gambling. They target high-end corporate event rentals such as shareholder meetings. IML acquired Machine Dreams.	Founded in 2002, nTag has a big vision for 21st century meetings. Audience Response is only one of many innovative features. Their market sweet spot is meetings over 500 who want to measure ROI on human interactions.	Neither hardware nor software is sexy, but the product lineup is impressive and feature rich, from ARS to sales lead gen, kiosks, and voice microphones. Systems are Fleetwood-powered, but we list them separately due to their impressive client list. 85% corporate. Meridia is probably related to Presentation Testing, Inc. (political polling).	Fleetwood makes many types of Audience Keypads and relies on a distributor network to write software and sell rebranded systems and consulting services. Larger resellers include: Meridia, Option Technologies, ComTec, Brahler ICS Digivote, PowerCom, Mediagroup, and Padgett. Used systems available through CP Wireless	Probably the strongest overall ARS considering features, price, and size: they are recognized by their small but durable card clickers. ~65% education. A successful business: #18 on Inc. 5000	Simple ARS using mobile phones in place of clicker keypads. Less features but significantly cheaper than any ARS purchase or rental.	In business for 25 years without merger or acquisition. 50/50 education/corporate.	eInstruction is the result of several recent mergers and acquisitions by GTCOCalComp. Combined, the companies have a long history including the historically popular Interwrite "PRS" (and eInstruction's "CPS"). Acquired FSCreations Examview and their partnerships with content publishers. 70% education. Financially stable.	Purchased by MacMillan Publishers in 2005. iClicker has a large user base in higher ed fueled by high-value pricing. Estimated 75% education, 25% corporate.	H-ITT prides itself on stable, rugged hardware and software. 75% Higher Ed, 25% K-12. It was founded by 2 Arkansas professors around 1998 and purchased by the hardware manufacturer in 2006.
Features	IML (Machine Dreams)	nTag	Meridia	Fleetwood Reply (& derivatives)	TurningPoint	Poll Everywhere	Qwizdom	eInstruction (Interwrite PRS, EduQue)	iClicker	H-ITT
Standard ARS features	Yes	Yes	Yes	Generally yes, depends on software	Yes	First-to-buzz-in games not yet possible	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Presenter console for moderating questions	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	No
Free-text response	Yes, like on a 10-digit phone keypad	Yes, via "guitar pick"-like screen taps	No	ReplyPlus: No ReplyIQ: Yes, but awkward	XR model: Yes, but awkward	Yes	Single word	No. Awkward short answer capabilities on PRS	No	No - LCD/alpha product soon
Cutting edge features	Voice communications, ID cards, "text messaging" (not SMS), alarms when clickers "walk away"	Automated contact-info exchange, icebreaker incentive games, automated attendance	Built-in mic, auto-tracking robotic camera system	Most flexible hardware platform to develop new software for	Well known for small, white, durable keycards with 6-12 month battery life. Virtual clickers via PC, PalmOS, and Windows Mobile.	Web 2.0, simplicity (no training necessary), SMS and smartphone voting, and free text response	Offers standalone ARS application (Interact) which includes a hovering toolbar, and a PowerPoint Plug-in (ActionPoint)	LCD screens (overall not very innovative)	Book model: Very pedagogical product development model. Software is open source. API.	Reliability of software and durability of clickers.
Technical	IML (Machine Dreams)	nTag	Meridia	Fleetwood Reply (& derivatives)	TurningPoint	Poll Everywhere	Qwizdom	eInstruction (Interwrite PRS, EduQue)	iClicker	H-ITT
Underlying technology	In-house designed hardware	MIT Media Lab outgrowth. Proprietary electronic nametag	Fleetwood based. RSVP Net offers innovative features	2-Way RF	Responsive Innovations (TurningPoint)	Web2.0, AJAX, and text messaging	Their own RF technology	In-house IR/RF	RF, designed in-house	H-ITT manufactured
Response speed	Nearly instant	Unknown, but subjectively "fast"	500 votes in 2 seconds. Proud of 2-way RF accuracy (99.6%)	Depends on model. Around 300 in 2 seconds, 1500 in 9 seconds	Not specified, but underlying data rate is 1Mbps (similar to Bluetooth)	Depends. Has handled over 1000 concurrent voters. Most polls complete in less than 8 seconds.	1000 in 6 seconds	1000 in 4 seconds	750, 1ms per confirmation. High accuracy.	1000 for RF
Max devices per receiver	1000	N/A - always rented	Small - 500, Large - 36,000	Reply IQ: 300-1500 (with expansion)	1000	Unlimited	999	CPS RF: 1000, PRS RF: 2000, IR: 64	1500	1000
Software notes	Very impressive and flexible - has almost every feature of other systems except nTag	Custom, setup by nTag consultants	Several modes, not really a smooth PowerPoint plug-in, but powerful ARS - (e.g. lectern navigator controls PowerPoint)	Varies, but most impressive is ComTec software	Robust and well-liked PowerPoint plug-in, as well as hovering toolbar. Mac version much weaker.	No software to install - live results in PowerPoint or web "widgets". Less features than hardware ARS.	PowerPoint and Keynote plug-in	Standalone: CPS and PRS comparable features. Supports latest Win, Mac, Office. PRS adds Linux. PRS's PowerPoint Integration is better.	Standalone software hovers over other applications. Win and Mac equally robust.	Yes. PPT plug-in, but most functionality is in standalone app with import/export
Range of wireless	n/a - consultants will set up system to suit needs	n/a - consultants will set up system to suit needs	400 feet	Depends on model. Usually 400 - 650 feet. Range susceptible to 2.4Ghz interference such as WiFi.	IR: 65 ft, RF: 200 ft, 400 ft w/long range receiver	99% SMS coverage in US meeting locations and classrooms	500 feet	PRS RF: 150, CPS 200 ft, PRS IR: 60 ft	200-250 feet	450 ft outdoors
Reference customers	Jewish National Fund, British Airways	Net Scout, P&G,	Bristol-Myers/Squibb, MTV Blame Game, Political Opinion Polling	Between all software and distributors, there's too many to mention	American Research Institute, Ohio State, University of Maryland	Microsoft, Discovery Channel Education, Accenture, Virginia Tech	Hyundai, Several K-12	Purdue. University of Massachusetts. University of New Hampshire: >10,000 students/semester	Wal-Mart (training). 600 schools, incl: Cornell, Boston College, UC Bolder	UC Riverside
Pricing	IML (Machine Dreams)	nTag	Meridia	Fleetwood Reply (& derivatives)	TurningPoint	Poll Everywhere	Qwizdom	eInstruction (Interwrite PRS, EduQue)	iClicker	H-ITT
Rental price per keypad, high quantity (list price)	List $20/participant for the first day	Rumor 1: $40-$100 per participant Rumor 2: Starts at $15,000 for a meeting of 100	$10 per keypad for first day, $5 per addition day. $200 for the small receiver. Huge meetings (e.g. 5000 people) for 5 days can get as low as $5 per person per day, including technicians.	Varies by company, but see Meridia pricing at left for a comparable. For corporate accounts Option Technologies is about $8 per participant for one day, and $5 per person per day for week-long events.	$14 per participant per day through reseller network (A/V Companies)	Between $.04 and $.26 per person per month	$12 per participant for the first day	Rentals very uncommon	Limited rentals (usually corporate)	H-ITT does not do a lot of rental
Recommend technician for rental	Always	Always		Yes, for >50 people. Another is required per 500 keypads.	Sometimes	No	Yes - ~1 per 500 keypads	n/a	n/a	n/a
Technician price, 1 day	Know something?	Bundled with prices above		Rumored $1000/day +$100/hour over 10 hours	Know something?	n/a	$1,000	n/a	n/a	n/a
Purchase: List price per keypad	Keypads are deliberately over $500 each; IML prefers the rental business	Purchase may not be possible		$75 per, quantity discounts available	Receiver: $695. Extra keypads - IR: $49, RF: $89, Software vPad $39. $120 per person in corporate kits.	Software-as-a-Service model. Averages $3.00 per audience participant per year.	$40	Sells in 24, 32, and 40 packs. 32 pack RF: $2995, IR: $1995. Volume discounts begin at 10 systems. Software is free.	One price: $27 to bookstore Bases are free at 1 per 100 remotes, extra bases $110	$35 before bookstore/university markup. H-ITT makes receivers free for universities who distribute clickers in bookstores. Classroom packages of 32 RF go for $1395 on their website.
Best deal heard of, or street price	Pricing can vary quite a bit. Confirm a large but short event for an unbooked or uncommon time in a local market, and < $8 per participant is possible.	Know something?		Know something?	Rental: $5 per clicker per day, no setup, shipping, or technician fee (promotional)	(One price for everyone)	$6/participant/day rental	School purchase: PRS/CPS: $50 per clicker, $160/$200 per receiver. Bookstore model: CPS: $16 to bookstore ($13 if standardized), so $22 to students plus $15 per semester. PRS: $39 to bookstore, $53 to student, but no per-semester fee. Receiver hardware is free.	$26.50 net	Know something?

More ARS Resources

Other sources for audience response system information

Another page with compiled ARS information is Will Thalheimer's http://www.audienceresponselearning.org. We have not evaluated SMART Senteo, Promethean/Logical Choice Activote, Quick Tally, Pearson/Scantron Engage, TI-Navigator, iRespond, Ortek, Interactive Horizons IRIS, iRespond, GeneeUs, EduGame, Dolphin Inteactive Presenter, CLiKAPAD, iTech Keypads, Sun-Tech, or XTOL. If you would like to share information and help others, please .

Remarks

Aren't we biased? After all, we make Poll Everywhere, which might be seen as a mobile phone and web alternative to ARS. The answer is that Poll Everywhere has a very different set of strengths and weaknesses, and we've tried our best to be impartial. For our feelings about what makes us unique, see Poll Everywhere vs. ARS. Our aim is to provide you with information that is difficult to compile in order to build goodwill with customers and promote industry transparency. Poll Everywhere is not right for everyone.

• Vendors: Has your product evolved such that information above is inaccurate? so we can correct it.
• Users: We care about your input and experiences. any missing information. If we can verify its accuracy we'll post it and you will help others make the right purchase or rental decision.