If you’re a teacher and have ever typed “How can I make schoolwork more engaging?” or “How can I motivate students?”, chances are you’ve come across Classcraft. This educational role-playing game has long been a staple for thousands of teachers around the world. In 2023, the American publisher HMH acquired Classcraft. A year later, in 2024, a new, less game-like version was released, bringing an end to the original license—much to the dismay of teachers seeking fun tools.
Were you a regular user? Did you want to give it a try? So the big question is:
Is there anything similar to Classcraft?
Fortunately, yes! There is indeed an alternative to Classcraft, designed for teachers around the world. Its name? Actoon.
A French-made alternative to Classcraft
When Classcraft’s closure was announced, the Actoon team sprang into action. It all started with a story they heard on a podcast. A teacher was lamenting the loss of a tool he used every day.
Actoon was created as a continuation of this approach, but with an added commitment: to go even further. From the very first lines of code, teachers from a variety of disciplines were involved in its design. And that remains the case today: the resource is developed in collaboration with the teaching community.
During the first two years, the resource was piloted in several hundred classrooms across France, across various subjects and grade levels. Its educational value was consistently demonstrated: a noticeable increase in classroom participation, and students asking for additional assignments. In 2025, the tool was also successfully tested in several European countries.
“With Classcraft, it was a bit more complicated because it’s based in Canada. Here, we can see the project unfold in real time.” F. Mallassinet, history and geography teacher
“Actoon’s promise holds true—I get emails from students asking for extra challenges to do at home, especially from those who used to be reluctant to do their homework.” Mr. Jenny, biology teacher
Was Classcraft suitable for all school curricula?
Classcraft was originally designed for the North American education system. Some of its features did not meet the requirements of national curricula. With Actoon, teachers choose the rewards themselves and can tailor them to their teaching methods. Teachers can create quizzes tailored to French, history and geography, and mathematics for all high school grade levels.
Special case of France: compatibility with the GAR
Classcraft was a Canadian product that was incompatible with student data management tools. Actoon is compatible with the GAR (the French Ministry of Education’s Digital Resource Access Manager). The software integrates with digital learning platforms and is 100% GDPR-compliant for all European countries.
Was there any support or training available to help me get started with Classcraft?
Over time, Classcraft has added many customization features, making the tool difficult to get the hang of. Many teachers were wasting time searching for tutorials online.
At Actoon, we take ease of use and support very seriously. The app is designed to be easy to use, with an intuitive interface and clear, straightforward terminology. The app includes numerous tutorials, and an AI system has been trained to answer all of teachers’ questions. All of our client schools receive in-person training and personalized support.
“What do I like most about Actoon? The customer service. Adrien always answers the phone right away—it’s a world of difference compared to other providers.” A. Hoerner, French teacher
“It’s true that the Actoon teams are very attentive to our needs. I requested a feature, and two months later they released it. We really feel like we’re helping to build the software.” A. Woaye-Hune, math teacher
What equipment was needed to use Classcraft in the classroom?
Classcraft’s success stemmed from the fact that it could be used with nothing more than a computer connected to the internet and a projector. Actoon was designed with the same philosophy in mind, to adapt to any digital setup, even the most basic ones.
The tool works on all browsers and devices: computers, tablets, and smartphones. This is a welcome feature, especially given that the use of phones in the classroom is increasingly prohibited.
Isn't there a risk that gamification will distract students?
Gamification doesn’t mean chaos. On the contrary, it’s a powerful tool for fostering intrinsic motivation. Actoon lets you reward teamwork, cooperation, independence, and effort without turning the classroom into a constant playground. Experience points, quests, and avatars are merely a means to an end—learning. With Actoon, the teacher remains in control.
Isn't there a risk that the video game aspect could foster a climate of intense competition?
Teachers who use Classcraft have never reported any negative impact on classroom atmosphere—quite the opposite. With Actoon, the focus is on collaboration and recognizing students’ efforts. Students don’t compete against each other; instead, they work together to defeat a boss played by the teacher. The points system rewards teamwork, perseverance, and dedication—not just immediate success.
In short, why is Actoon the next-generation alternative to Classcraft?
Actoon builds on the core features of Classcraft that were already being used in classrooms and updates them to make them usable in any classroom around the world. After two years of pilot testing in France across a wide range of settings, its educational value has been proven.
In addition to access to the software, we also provide field observations, real-time feedback, frequent updates, and accessible human support. Do you have an idea, a need, or a suggestion? The Actoon team is here to listen and work with you to develop tools that are useful for your practice.
Is Classcraft over? Actoon is here.
| Classcraft (through 2024) | Actoon (since 2024) | |
|---|---|---|
| Target market | North American | The whole world |
| Getting Started | Complex, highly customizable | Simple, UX-focused |
| Visuals | Early 2000s | Modern, regularly updated |
| Educational content | Manual creation | Generated by AI |
| Support | Distant | Close contact with the teams |
| Co-development | No | Yes, with the teachers |
| GDPR / Data Protection Act | Non-compliant | GDPR-compliant, GAR-compatible |