What is Padlet and How Does It Work? (2025 Guide)

Choosing the right collaboration tool can transform the way you teach, share, or manage projects. Padlet is one of the most popular platforms for visual interaction, but what exactly does it do?

This guide covers how Padlet works, its AI capabilities, pricing, and how to get started. We’ll also explore top alternatives like Flip, Jamboard, and Wakelet.

What is Padlet

Padlet is an online collaboration tool that lets users create interactive boards for posting text, images, videos, links, and documents. Each board, called a "padlet," works like a digital wall where individuals or groups can contribute in real time.

It’s commonly used in education and team settings to collect ideas, organize content, or facilitate group discussions. Users can choose from various formats such as grid, timeline, canvas, or map to structure their content visually.

Padlet supports live collaboration without requiring technical skills, making it a practical solution for teachers, students, and professionals. Its clean interface, flexible sharing options, and cross-device access make it one of the most accessible tools for visual collaboration.

How to Use Padlet (Step-by-Step Guide)

Padlet is designed to be easy to use, even for first-time users. Follow these steps to create and manage your own collaborative board.

1. Create an Account or Log In

To begin, go to padlet.com and sign up using your email, Google, or Apple account. If you’re part of a school or organization, you might receive an invitation to join an existing workspace.

2. Start a New Padlet

From your dashboard, click “Make a padlet.” You’ll see several layout options like wall, grid, canvas, map, or timeline. Choose the format that fits your goal—for example, use timeline for chronological posts or grid for structured overviews.

3. Personalize Your Board

After choosing a layout, you can customize the title, description, background, font style, and post display settings. Padlet also lets you control access by setting the board to private, public, or password-protected.

4. Add Content to Your Padlet

Click the plus button or double-click anywhere on the board to post. You can add text, upload images or documents, embed videos, record audio, or include links. Each post appears instantly and can be moved or edited at any time.

5. Share and Collaborate

Use the “Share” button to invite others via link, QR code, or email. You can set permissions to allow viewing, writing, commenting, or moderation. All changes happen in real time, making Padlet ideal for live collaboration.

6. Manage Posts and Settings

As the owner, you can edit, delete, or move posts. You can also enable features like reactions, comments, and post approval if you want more control over what appears on the board.

Padlet works across desktop and mobile, so your boards stay accessible and synced no matter where you're working from.

How to Post on Padlet

Once your board is set up, posting on Padlet is straightforward. You can add a wide range of content types, making it easy to share ideas, resources, or feedback with others.

Click or Tap to Add a Post

To create a new post, click the plus button on the bottom right or double-click anywhere on the board. On mobile, tap the plus icon.

Choose What to Add

Padlet allows you to add different types of content, including:

• Text
• Images or files from your device
• Audio or video recordings
• Links to websites or online resources
• Drawings or handwritten notes

You can also paste content directly into the post window.

Edit and Organize Your Post

After adding content, you can edit the title, write a description, or add more media. Posts can be moved around freely on most layouts, helping you organize ideas visually.

Interact with Other Posts

If the board settings allow, you can comment on posts, leave reactions, or even reply with multimedia. This feature supports discussions and peer-to-peer feedback in collaborative environments.

Posting on Padlet doesn’t require any technical skills, which makes it easy for both students and professionals to contribute.

Does Padlet Use AI?

Yes, Padlet has introduced several AI-powered features that support content creation and save time for educators and teams. These tools are built directly into the platform and focus on enhancing creativity and productivity without taking over the user’s role in shaping the final content.

Generate Boards with AI Prompts

One of the most notable features is Padlet’s ability to create full boards based on a short written prompt.

By typing a description, you can automatically generate a structured padlet, whether it’s a timeline, map, or discussion board—complete with sample posts. This feature helps users get started faster, especially when planning lessons or collaborative sessions.

AI-Powered Image Generation

When creating a post, you can generate custom visuals by entering a description. Padlet uses generative AI to create images that match your prompt, giving users a quick way to add visual elements without searching online or uploading files.

Text-to-Speech Functionality

Padlet also includes a text-to-audio tool that converts written content into recorded speech. This feature is useful for adding voice notes to posts or making content more accessible to learners who prefer listening over reading.

Designed to Support, Not Replace

While Padlet does use AI, it’s designed to support creativity and collaboration—not to automate decision-making. You stay in control of what gets published and how it’s used. These AI tools are optional and can be used when they fit your workflow.

By integrating AI in a practical and non-intrusive way, Padlet helps users work more efficiently while still encouraging hands-on collaboration.

Is Padlet Free?

Padlet offers a free version with access to its core features, but it comes with some limitations. As a free user, you can create up to three active padlets at a time. These boards include the ability to add text, media, and links, collaborate with others, and choose from multiple layouts.

The free plan is often enough for casual use or small classroom activities. However, if you need more than three boards or want additional features like larger file uploads, enhanced privacy controls, or branded environments, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan.

Despite the limit, you can always delete old padlets to make room for new ones without losing access to your account. The free version also allows you to join other users’ padlets and participate in collaboration without restrictions. This makes it useful even for those who don’t host boards themselves.

How Much Does Padlet Cost?

Padlet offers multiple pricing plans based on the number of users, storage needs, and collaboration features. While you can get started for free, paid plans unlock more padlets, larger uploads, and advanced options for individual users, teams, and schools.

Free Plan

Ideal for testing the platform. No credit card is required.

• 3 padlets
• 20MB file uploads
• 1 user
• 2-minute video recordings
• 5-minute audio recordings

Gold Plan – $9.99/month or $69.99/year

For users who need more space and flexibility.

• 20 padlets
• 100MB file uploads
• 5-minute video recordings
• 10-minute audio recordings
• API access

Platinum Plan – $14.99/month or $99.99/year

For users who want unlimited boards and larger media support.

• Unlimited padlets
• 500MB file uploads
• 15-minute video recordings
• 30-minute audio recordings
• API access

Team Plan – $19.99/month or $149.99/year (per team member)

Designed for professional teams collaborating together.

• Unlimited padlets
• 1GB file uploads
• 30-minute video recordings
• 60-minute audio recordings
• Role-based permissions
• User management tools
• API access

Classroom Plan – $199/year (for 2 teachers)

Tailored for educators managing students in a shared environment.

• Unlimited padlets
• 1GB file uploads
• 200 student accounts
• 30-minute video recordings
• 60-minute audio recordings
• User and permission management
• Content safety tools
• API access

School Plan – Starting at $1,000/year (for 10 teachers)

Best for full-school or district-level deployments.

• Unlimited teachers and students
• 1GB file uploads
• Advanced security features
• LMS integrations (Moodle, Canvas, Google Classroom, and more)
• SSO support
• Analytics dashboard
• Invoice billing available

Each plan is billed annually with discounts for yearly subscriptions. Educators, schools, and districts also benefit from added features like student account management and LMS integration.

How to Integrate Padlet into Teachfloor

You can integrate Padlet into Teachfloor using two methods: a simple embed or via LTI 1.3 if you're using Padlet with a School or Team license. Both options allow you to bring interactive boards directly into your learning experience on Teachfloor.

Method 1: Embed Padlet into a Teachfloor Module

This is the easiest and most common way to integrate Padlet.

Step-by-step:

1. Open your Padlet board, click “Share”, and select “Embed on your blog or website.”
2. Copy the embed code (HTML iframe).
3. In Teachfloor, go to the lesson or activity where you want to add Padlet.
4. Select the “Embed” content block and paste the code.
5. Adjust dimensions if needed (e.g. width: 100%, height: 800px) and save.

This method works for all users and requires no special setup. Students will be able to interact with the board directly within Teachfloor.

Read our guide on: How to create a course with embedded content on Teachfloor

Method 2: Use LTI 1.3 to Integrate Padlet with Teachfloor

For schools and institutions using Padlet Backpack or Padlet Briefcase, you can integrate via LTI 1.3, which offers deeper functionality—such as secure login, user tracking, and smoother content delivery.

Requirements:

• Padlet account with School or Team plan
• Teachfloor account with LTI support (available on request)

Step-by-step:

1. Contact Teachfloor support to enable LTI 1.3 for your organization.
2. In your Padlet admin dashboard, go to Manage LTI Integrations.
3. Create a new LTI 1.3 integration and copy the following:
   • Client ID
   • Public keyset URL
   • Access token URL
   • Authentication request URL
4. In Teachfloor, add Padlet as a new LTI 1.3 tool using those values.
5. Assign the LTI activity to any module. Learners will access Padlet with single sign-on, and their session will be tracked within Teachfloor.

Which Method Should You Use?

• Use Embed if you want a fast, no-setup solution and don’t need authentication or grading.
• Use LTI 1.3 if you need centralized management, automatic login for students, and tighter integration between platforms.

Both approaches allow learners to interact with Padlet directly from Teachfloor, keeping the experience unified and distraction-free.

Best Padlet Alternatives in 2025

While Padlet is a popular choice for visual collaboration, it’s not the only tool available. Depending on your needs—whether you're teaching, running workshops, or managing a team—there are other platforms that offer similar or complementary features. Below are some of the best alternatives to consider in 2025.

Flip (formerly Flipgrid)

Flip is a video-based discussion platform designed for educators and students. It allows users to respond to prompts with short videos, making it ideal for student voice, reflection, and asynchronous participation. It's free to use and integrates well with Microsoft tools.

Miro

Miro is a powerful whiteboard platform designed for teams. It supports sticky notes, flowcharts, templates, and real-time collaboration. Miro also includes AI tools and advanced features for workshops, design sprints, and project planning. It’s more suited to professional environments than classroom use.

Wakelet

Wakelet allows users to save, organize, and share collections of digital content. It’s useful for curating resources, storytelling, and showcasing student work. Unlike Padlet, Wakelet focuses more on linear content presentation and media organization.

Notion

Notion is a highly customizable workspace that combines notes, tasks, databases, and collaborative documents. It can serve as an alternative if you want to build structured learning hubs or team documentation. While it’s more complex than Padlet, it offers broader functionality.

Trello

Trello is a kanban-based tool for task management and collaboration. It’s not a direct replacement for Padlet’s visual layouts, but it works well for organizing assignments, tracking progress, and managing projects in teams or classrooms.

Conceptboard

Conceptboard is designed for visual collaboration, offering whiteboard features, sticky notes, and drawing tools. It’s often used for remote workshops and planning sessions. Like Miro, it focuses more on team collaboration than education-specific needs.

Each of these tools brings something different, so the right choice depends on how you plan to use it. For visual collaboration with simple setup, Padlet remains a strong option, but exploring alternatives can help you find the best fit for your goals.

FAQs

What is Padlet in simple terms?

Padlet is an online tool that lets users create interactive boards where they can post text, images, videos, and links. It’s used for collaboration, idea sharing, and organizing content visually.

Is Padlet free to use?

Yes, Padlet offers a free plan that includes up to 3 active padlets, basic collaboration features, and limited file upload sizes. More features are available through paid plans.

How do I add a post on Padlet?

To post on Padlet, click the plus button or double-click on the board. You can add text, upload files, insert links, or record audio and video.

Does Padlet use AI?

Yes, Padlet includes AI features such as automatic board generation from prompts, AI-generated images, and text-to-speech tools for adding voice notes.

How much does Padlet cost?

Padlet’s pricing starts with a free plan. Paid plans range from $9.99/month for individuals to customized pricing for schools and teams, depending on features and number of users.

Can students use Padlet without an account?

Yes, if the board is set to public or password-protected, students can post or view content without signing up. Account requirements depend on the board’s privacy settings.

Is Padlet safe for school use?

Yes, Padlet offers education-focused plans with moderation tools, content filters, and secure sharing settings designed for classroom environments.

Can I embed Padlet into other platforms?

Yes, Padlet can be embedded into websites and LMS platforms like Teachfloor. It also supports LTI 1.3 integration for deeper functionality in school environments.

What are the best Padlet alternatives?

Popular alternatives include Flip for video responses, Miro for advanced whiteboarding, Wakelet for content curation, and Notion for structured collaboration. Each serves different needs.