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Kahoot runs live, host-led quiz shows. BoardQ runs self-paced QR quizzes that feed a persistent live leaderboard - no host, no session, no app. Here is how they compare, and when to use each.
| Feature | BoardQ | Kahoot |
|---|---|---|
| Primary purpose | Live leaderboard & scoreboard display | Interactive quiz platform |
| Free plan | ✓ 2 boards, all features | ✓ Limited to 10 players |
| Real-time score updates | ✓ Instant via WebSocket | ✓ During quiz only |
| Works with any scoring source | ✓ Manual, API, or any tool | ✗ Kahoot quizzes only |
| REST API | ✓ Full API | ✗ No public API |
| Embeddable widget | ✓ iframe embed | ✗ |
| QR code sharing | ✓ | ✓ Join code |
| Built-in quiz engine | ✓ Multiple-choice, auto-scored | ✓ |
| Self-paced walk-up quiz (QR, no host) | ✓ Join anytime, rank shown per answer | ✗ Built around live hosted sessions |
| Live host-led quiz show | ✗ | ✓ Its core strength |
| Persistent leaderboard | ✓ Always accessible | ✗ Resets per session |
| Customizable themes | ✓ Multiple themes, backgrounds | Limited customization |
| Use beyond education | ✓ Sales, events, sports, gaming | Primarily education |
| Paid plan starts at | $8.99/month | $17.99/month (Presenter) |
Kahoot shines when everyone is in the same room at the same time and a host drives the show - a classroom answering question 3 together, music blaring.
BoardQ shines when people arrive on their own schedule: a trade-show booth, a two-day event, an office competition. Visitors scan a QR code, take the quiz whenever they walk up, and the big-screen leaderboard reorders live with every answer - all day, no host required. And unlike a Kahoot session, the leaderboard never resets: it keeps running totals over weeks, from quizzes or any other scores you feed it.
Create a live leaderboard in 30 seconds. No downloads, no student accounts needed.
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