Web-based gradebooks run on a central server, which you access from your web browser on any computer. Software gradebooks are installed on your personal computer. Originally all gradebooks were software, like Easy Grade Pro, GradeQuick, MicroGrade, and Gradekeeper. But now schools are moving toward web-based gradebooks because no extra integration or synchronization is required to post grades online for parents and students, and it is easier to support. The only advantages of software gradebooks are that you can work offline and they are faster. Web-based gradebooks are hosted either by an ASP or on your district's server.

Hosted by ASP vs. Installed On Site

Hosted gradebooks run on the company's servers off-site. This is also called an ASP solution (application service provider). Non-hosted grade-books are installed on your district's server on-site. Originally all gradebooks were on-site, but since the advancement of the Internet and TLS/SSL it is now equally secure to host data off-site. ASP's provide full service maintenance, while on-site solutions require your IT staff to do more of the maintenance, so you would need to compare your internal IT costs against the external service costs of an ASP. Most companies offer only one solution, not both. See details

Standalone vs. All-in-One

Many student information systems (SIS) include a gradebook component as part of their all-in-one package. The advantage is that it is already integrated, and it is either free or low cost. The disadvantage is that most SIS companies do not put much effort into their gradebooks, so they are lacking in features and are not well-liked by teachers. For this reason many school districts instead choose to use a full-featured standalone gradebook from a different company, and optionally integrate it with their SIS. This is also called a best-of-breed solution.