CuraCourseCuraCourse vs Codio
How CuraCourse and Codio compare on interactive lessons, browser coding, autograding, AI grading, and LMS setup.
We wrote this from each company’s public docs. Last checked .
When Codio fits
Codio is built for courses that need full coding environments, like containers, virtual machines, and multiple IDEs, managed through your LMS.
When CuraCourse fits
CuraCourse is a better fit when a lesson needs more than code, like math answers, graphs, code tracing, written responses, or a simulation you build yourself.
The main differences
Full coding environments
Codio gives each student a full environment, with containers, virtual machines, and several IDEs. CuraCourse runs code inside the lesson, and paid plans add cloud-based labs with VS Code in the browser. If your course needs specific software, Codio goes further.
Practice beyond code
Codio Guides mix tutorial text with choice, free text, and code questions. CuraCourse also checks math answers for equivalence, lets students draw graphs, and runs simulations you build, so you can teach the math and science around the code in one place.
How it’s bought
Codio sells institutional licenses, with a student-pay option. In CuraCourse, you can start free today. Students pay $0, $20, or $45 per course, or the school pays.
Each cell links to its guide or source.
| What you need to do | CuraCourse | Codio |
|---|---|---|
| Interactive lessons | ||
| Author your own material Write content and organize it for your class. | Available Write lessons with explanations, video, equations, and activities in one editor. Guide | Available Write lessons and assessments in Guides. Source |
| Questions alongside teaching material Ask questions while students learn a concept. | Available Multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, open response, sorting, and ordering, right after your explanation. Guide | Available Interleave choice, blanks, free text, and code assessments in Guides. Source |
| Custom Activities | ||
| Build your own interactive activity Put a simulation or tool you made in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript inside a lesson, with saved progress and scores. | Available Build it yourself or with CuraAI. It saves each student’s progress and score. Guide | Not in their docs HTML previews and custom assessments are documented. We couldn’t find a way to embed your own activity with saved scores. Docs checked |
| Exams | ||
| Timed exams Give students a set amount of time. | Beta Set a time limit, how students move through questions, and when grades are released. Guide | Available Exam settings include assignment time limits. Source |
| IDE | ||
| Write and run code in the browser Students code without installing anything. | Available Code exercises run inside the lesson on every plan. Cloud-based labs need Pro, or Core with the labs add-on. Guide | Available Browser coding environments, containers, and virtual machines. Source |
| Automatic code checks Grade code against tests you set. | Available Check student programs against the output you expect, on every plan. Guide | Available Auto-graded code questions alongside other question types. Source |
| Grading | ||
| Manual scoring and feedback Grade work yourself and leave comments. | Available Grade with your rubric, and move through submissions quickly with Lightning Grader. Guide | Available Grade by hand or automatically. Source |
| AI rubric grading AI scores work against your rubric and gives feedback. | Available Write the rubric, then review the AI’s scores and feedback. On every plan, and free Starter courses include a few AI credits. Guide | Available AI grades against a rubric, and instructors review and adjust scores. Source |
| AI | ||
| AI help you control Decide how much AI helps students. | Available Turn on the AI tutor per lesson and choose how much it helps. Off by default. Guide | Available Codio Coach gives hints and explains errors. Source |
| Adoption & cost | ||
| LMS launch and grade sync Students open work from your LMS, and grades go back automatically. | Available LTI 1.3 with grade passback. Works with Canvas, Moodle, Blackboard Ultra, Brightspace, Schoology, and more. Guide | Available LTI integration for LMS access and grading. Source |
| How access is priced What a course costs, including paid features and usage. | Free to start Free for instructors. Students pay $0, $20, or $45 per course, or the school pays. Guide | License based Institutional licenses with a student-pay option. Source |
“Available” means it’s documented, though it may need a certain plan. “Not in their docs” means we couldn’t find it in the linked pages. It may still exist.
Switching from Codio
- Pick one Guides assignment and collect its content, project files, and grading rules.
- Rebuild it in CuraCourse and run the tests on a few real student submissions.
- Codio projects, grading scripts, and rosters don’t transfer, so set up your LMS connection before you switch.
Sources
We checked these pages in October 2026. Some features depend on the plan or book, so ask Codio about your setup. If something is out of date, tell us and we’ll fix it.
- Codio: Guides authoring
- Codio: Assessment types
- Codio: Exam settings
- Codio: Platform features
- Codio: LLM rubric grading
- Codio: LMS integration
- Codio: Pricing
CuraCourse entries in the table link to our own guides.