Software comparison · reviewed 2 August 2026
Evidence for Learning alternative: Voyage compared
Evidence for Learning is an established and feature-rich option for schools that want to capture a detailed picture of SEND learning and involve the wider team. Voyage is earlier in its journey and is exploring whether a tighter connection between planning, assessment, records, forms and staff workflow solves a different part of the problem.
What Evidence for Learning publicly documents
Evidence for Learning documents photo, video, audio, notes and judgements linked to targets; custom assessment criteria and frameworks; Engagement Model tools; learning journeys and grids; and collaboration with families and multi-disciplinary professionals. Its public proposition is strongly centred on rich evidence, inquiry and the whole team around the learner.
Where Voyage currently fits
Voyage overlaps in evidence and assessment, but its present design starts with a joined-up staff record: person-centred profile, EHCP outcomes, goals, targets, learning records, forms, worktrays and approvals. Voyage is not yet a like-for-like replacement for Evidence for Learning's mature family and external-stakeholder collaboration.
Check the full Voyage product-status registerA practical, evidence-led comparison
The rows below describe documented capabilities and product maturity. They deliberately avoid scores, winner badges and unsupported negative claims.
| Area | Evidence for Learning | Voyage |
|---|---|---|
| Product maturity | An established app with a sizeable SEND practitioner community and documented use across schools and colleges. | Being tested A new product developed with one founding partner school, now preparing a small supported pilot cohort. |
| Evidence formats | Publicly documents photo, video, audio, notes and judgements, including mobile capture. | Current product Written observations, photos and video are supported. Voice capture is planned rather than available. |
| Assessment | Documents custom frameworks, individual targets, Assessment Books, engagement tools and learning journeys. | Current product Supports built-in and school-configured frameworks, qualifiers, assessment matrices and record-coverage views. |
| EHCP-linked planning | Documents linking evidence and assessment to EHCP outcomes, IEPs and individual learning goals. | Current product Provides an explicit outcome-to-goal-to-target planning hierarchy connected to pupil profiles and learning records. |
| Family and wider-team collaboration | Documents a secure parent portal and participation by families and multi-disciplinary professionals. | Planned / discovery Current access is staff-facing. Family sharing is not currently available and will only be explored with careful governance. |
| Operational workflow | Public material emphasises collaboration, assessment, evidence and learning discussions. | Current product Includes staff worktrays, internal approvals, moderation comments and forms configured during setup. |
Questions worth asking in any demo
- Which people outside school staff need direct access, and what should each be able to do?
- Does the system support our assessment model without forcing a single definition of progress?
- How quickly can staff capture evidence and connect it to an existing plan?
- What governance exists for drafts, moderation, approvals and published records?
- Can we export evidence, assessment and planning data in usable formats?
Choosing for a special school?
We would be glad to learn about your current workflow—even if the right conclusion is that an established product already meets your needs.