Hāpara Filter vs Lightspeed Filter
Compare two K-12 web filters that use AI to keep learners safe online.
Overview
Hāpara and Lightspeed both offer K-12 web filters that use artificial intelligence (AI). There are differences, though, in how their AI works to restrict content as learners search online.
This page will explain why Hāpara Filter is a better Lightspeed alternative.
What does Hāpara do as a Lightspeed alternative?
Hāpara is a K-12 educational technology company that offers a complete instructional suite of digital tools. These digital tools, including a web filter, make teaching and learning more efficient and effective on Chromebooks.
What does Lightspeed do?
Lightspeed is a K-12 online education company that offers web filtering for students and staff members, mental health monitoring, device management and data analysis products.
An overview of Hāpara Filter, a Lightspeed alternative
Hāpara Filter is a K-12 web filter that uses AI to intelligently restrict content in real-time. Rather than blocking websites that can provide instructional value, the web filter blurs or mutes the inappropriate or harmful content on the page.
An overview of Lightspeed Filter
Lightspeed Filter is a K-12 web filter that uses AI to block harmful or inappropriate websites, images and videos. It uses a comprehensive database built by years of web indexing to show only educational content.
How they compare
Features
Hāpara Filter
Lightspeed Filter
Devices
Hāpara Filter works on any device when students are logged in to their school Google account, at school or remotely.
Lightspeed Filter works across devices and operating systems, on or off campus.
Admin management
Hāpara Filter can be installed in minutes and begins working immediately using real-time AI to protect learners.
Lightspeed Filter can be installed quickly on the cloud. Technology administrators can customize policies based on individuals, groups, time of day and content. They can also select options to restrict specific social media platforms.
Teacher management
With Hāpara Filter, teachers are able to approve websites as students learn, without needing help from technology administrators.
Lightspeed Filter does not offer teacher management options.
YouTube
School districts don’t need to block YouTube or customize policies when using Hāpara Filter. Since the web filter uses real-time AI to understand context, it intelligently mutes audio when necessary or blurs inappropriate text or parts of videos.
Lightspeed offers a tool called SmartPlay that is included with their web filter. It uses a database to categorize videos and only show the ones that are educational. It blocks inappropriate videos, thumbnails, and content recommended by YouTube. Technology administrators can customize the YouTube policy controls by grade level, class or group.
Zoom and Google Meet
During remote class meetings on Zoom or Google Meet, Hāpara Filter works in real-time to blur text or images learners should not see. Teachers don’t have to worry about an interruption in instruction.
Lightspeed does not work in real time to blur images or text during remote class meetings on platforms like Zoom and Google Meet.
Anonymous searches
For an additional layer of protection, Hāpara Filter anonymizes student searches.
Lightspeed Filter does not anonymize student searches.
Student Privacy Pledge signatory
Hāpara is a signatory of the current Student Privacy Pledge. Read more here about their commitment to student data privacy.
Lightspeed Systems is also a Student Privacy Pledge signatory. Read here to learn more about their privacy policy.
Mental health detection
Hāpara Filter also offers a Wellness Module that detects signs of cyberbullying and self-harm. It sends alerts to administrators and authorized staff members.
Lightspeed offers a separate product called Lightspeed Alert that uses AI and Student Safety Specialists to monitor student mental health and send alerts to administrators.
How they compare
Hāpara Filter
Devices
Hāpara Filter works on any device when students are logged in to their school Google account, at school or remotely.
Admin management
Hāpara Filter can be installed in minutes and begins working immediately using real-time AI to protect learners.
Teacher management
With Hāpara Filter, teachers are able to approve websites as students learn, without needing help from technology administrators.
YouTube
School districts don’t need to block YouTube or customize policies when using Hāpara Filter. Since the web filter uses real-time AI to understand context, it intelligently mutes audio when necessary or blurs inappropriate text or parts of videos.
Zoom and Google Meet
During remote class meetings on Zoom or Google Meet, Hāpara Filter works in real-time to blur text or images learners should not see. Teachers don’t have to worry about an interruption in instruction.
Anonymous searches
For an additional layer of protection, Hāpara Filter anonymizes student searches.
Student Privacy Pledge signatory
Hāpara is a signatory of the current Student Privacy Pledge. Read more here about their commitment to student data privacy.
Mental health detection
Hāpara Filter also offers a Wellness Module that detects signs of cyberbullying and self-harm. It sends alerts to administrators and authorized staff members.
Lightspeed Filter
Devices
Lightspeed Filter works across devices and operating systems, on or off campus.
Admin management
Lightspeed Filter can be installed quickly on the cloud. Technology administrators can customize policies based on individuals, groups, time of day and content. They can also select options to restrict specific social media platforms.
Teacher management
Lightspeed Filter does not offer teacher management options.
YouTube
Lightspeed offers a tool called SmartPlay that is included with their web filter. It uses a database to categorize videos and only show the ones that are educational. It blocks inappropriate videos, thumbnails, and content recommended by YouTube. Technology administrators can customize the YouTube policy controls by grade level, class or group.
Zoom and Google Meet
Lightspeed does not work in real time to blur images or text during remote class meetings on platforms like Zoom and Google Meet.
Anonymous searches
Lightspeed Filter does not anonymize student searches.
Student Privacy Pledge signatory
Lightspeed Systems is also a Student Privacy Pledge signatory. Read here to learn more about their privacy policy.
Mental health detection
Lightspeed offers a separate product called Lightspeed Alert that uses AI and Student Safety Specialists to monitor student mental health and send alerts to administrators.