Apps for grading multiple-choice tests compared: Grade AI, ZipGrade, Plickers, Gradescope, Google Forms
Five common ways to grade multiple-choice tests automatically, compared: what students answer on, what the teacher needs, how grading works, what each tool is best for and what it costs.
In short: If students write on paper, the phone apps Grade AI and ZipGrade grade the sheets with the camera, and Gradescope grades scanned bubble sheets at institutions with a licence. Plickers uses printed cards for quick checks during a lesson. Google Forms grades itself but needs a device for every student. The right choice depends on whether your students write on paper or on devices, and how long your tests are. Information about other tools comes from their websites, checked in October 2026.
The five options at a glance
| Tool | Students answer on | Teacher needs | Grading | Best for | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade AI | A printed sheet with the questions, their name and a QR code | Phone app (making tests and results also on the web) | Scan each sheet with the phone camera | Short paper tests, two versions, AI-drafted questions | Free for 14 days, then a monthly subscription |
| ZipGrade | A printed answer grid (20, 50 or 100 questions) | Phone app | Scan each sheet with the phone camera | Long paper tests, true/false and matching, low budget | 100 papers a month free, unlimited $6.99 a year (US) |
| Plickers | A printed card held up in the air | Phone or tablet, and a screen for the questions | Scan the whole room at once | Quick checks during a lesson | Free plan and a paid Pro plan |
| Gradescope (bubble sheets) | A printed bubble sheet | Institutional licence, a document scanner | Scan the pile and upload it | Large university exams | Institutional licence, priced on request |
| Google Forms (quiz) | A phone, tablet or computer | Google account | Automatic when students submit | Homework, practice, classes where every student has a device | Free |
Grade AI
Grade AI prints one sheet per student with the student's name, a QR code, the questions and a circle for each answer A to D. Students fill in one circle per question with a pen, and the teacher scans the sheets with the phone app. The grade is saved immediately, on the teacher's grading scale, and the app shows for every question how many students picked A, B, C and D.
- Strengths: questions and names on the sheet, two versions (A and B) with the version in the QR code, AI drafts from a topic or your own notes, ten languages, results aimed at what to reteach.
- Limits: multiple choice A to D only, up to 20 questions on A4, no export to school systems, scanning only in the phone app.
More: What is Grade AI? and How to grade a multiple-choice test with your phone.
ZipGrade
ZipGrade prints generic answer grids for 20, 50 or 100 questions (or custom forms), which students fill in next to a separate question paper. The teacher scans the sheets with the phone app.
- Strengths: long tests, more answer types (true/false, matching, numeric), item analysis, CSV export, a free tier and a low yearly price.
- Limits: the questions are not on the answer sheet; on the larger forms students identify themselves by bubbling an ID number.
A detailed comparison is in Grade AI vs. ZipGrade.
Plickers
Each student gets a printed card with a unique pattern. The teacher shows a question on a screen, students hold up their card turned to show A, B, C or D, and the teacher scans the whole room with a phone or tablet. Results appear on the teacher's device straight away.
- Strengths: no devices for students, instant results, good for checking understanding in the middle of a lesson.
- Limits: one question at a time, led by the teacher; not a written test that each student works through at their own pace.
Gradescope bubble sheets
Gradescope (by Turnitin) is mainly used at universities to grade handwritten work with rubrics. Its bubble sheet assignments let students fill in a printed bubble sheet, which is then scanned in bulk and uploaded. Bubble sheets require an institutional licence.
- Strengths: large exams, integration with university systems, one tool for bubble sheets and handwritten answers.
- Limits: needs a licence from the institution and a document scanner; not built for a single teacher with a phone.
Google Forms quizzes
A quiz in Google Forms grades itself when students submit it. It is free and familiar.
- Strengths: free, instant results, pictures and videos in questions, works well for homework and practice.
- Limits: every student needs a device and a connection, and students can switch to other tabs; Google's locked mode works only on school-managed Chromebooks.
The trade-off between paper and devices is covered in Paper test or online quiz?.
How to choose
- Do your students write on paper or on devices? Devices: Google Forms or a similar quiz tool. Paper: one of the scanning tools.
- Is it a written test or a quick check? A quick check during a lesson: Plickers. A written test: Grade AI, ZipGrade or Gradescope.
- How long are your tests? Up to 20 questions with answers A to D: Grade AI works and puts the questions on the sheet. 50 or 100 questions, or true/false and matching: ZipGrade.
- Who pays? A university with a licence: Gradescope may already be available. A single teacher: Grade AI or ZipGrade.
Frequently asked questions
Which app grades multiple-choice tests without student devices?
Grade AI, ZipGrade and Gradescope bubble sheets grade paper answer sheets. Plickers also needs no student devices, but it is for quick checks with cards, not written tests.
Which app puts the questions on the answer sheet?
Grade AI prints the questions and the answer circles on the same page, one sheet per student with the name already printed.
Is there a free option?
Google Forms is free. ZipGrade has a free tier of 100 papers a month and Plickers has a free plan. Grade AI can be tried free for 14 days.
Try it on your next test.
Set up a class, print the sheets, see how long it takes. Scanning happens on the phone. Building and printing work in the browser too.