SMART vs Promethean Touchscreens: Which Is Right for Your Classroom?

Interactive touchscreens have become a cornerstone of modern classrooms, helping teachers deliver engaging lessons while giving students a more collaborative learning experience. Two of the most widely used brands in education are SMART and Promethean. Both offer powerful interactive displays designed specifically for schools, but each has its own strengths.

In this blog, we’ll compare SMART and Promethean touchscreens to help schools understand the key differences and choose the right solution for their needs.

Why Interactive Touchscreens Matter in Education

Traditional whiteboards and projectors have/are gradually being replaced by all-in-one interactive touchscreen displays. These screens allow teachers to:

• Present multimedia lessons
• Annotate directly onto content
• Save and share notes instantly
• Encourage student collaboration at the board
• Integrate seamlessly with cloud platforms and learning software
• Whilst also linking directly to both student and staff devices

For schools investing in classroom technology, choosing the right touchscreen can significantly improve both teaching efficiency and student engagement.

SMART Touchscreens

Smart Technologies has long been associated with interactive classroom solutions. Their displays are known for a strong ecosystem designed around teaching workflows.

Key Strengths

1. SMART Notebook Software

SMART Notebook can be used to create interactive lessons, and many teachers may already be familiar with it, which can make adoption quick and straightforward. However, it’s important to review any existing or historic lesson content to ensure it remains compatible, functions correctly, is relevant to today’s teaching environment, and complies with current educational guidance. Failing to assess this could result in investing in a solution that costs more but doesn’t fully meet the needs of modern classrooms.

2. Smooth Writing Experience

SMART displays are well known for their responsive writing experience and natural inking, which closely mimics writing on a traditional whiteboard. Something we can't say for the likes of ViewSonic and BenQ in our opinion.

3. Strong Cloud Integration

Teachers can connect lessons with cloud platforms and easily share content with students.

4. Collaborative Learning Tools

Smart’s interactive features allow multiple students to interact with the display simultaneously, encouraging group work and participation.

Best For: Schools that already use SMART Notebook, have existing qualified and valid lesson plans and schools either looking to employ SMART trained teachers or who are prepared to invest in SMART training.

Promethean Touchscreens

Promethean is another, if not the major player in the education technology space, widely used in schools, the NHS and the prison service across the UK and internationally.

Key Strengths

1. ActivPanel Displays
Promethean’s ActivPanel range offers powerful performance, vibrant displays, and strong durability designed specifically for classroom environments. Unlike its competitors, Promethean offers a range of quality and reliable touchscreen solutions to match any budget, from Premium AP10's to the Promethean LE.  Promethean also provides digital signage often used within school environments, be it a reception area or careers event.

2. ActivInspire and ActivSuite Software
Promethean’s teaching software allows teachers to create dynamic lessons with interactive activities and multimedia content. Simple to use 'Plug and Play' suite of apps that seamlessly integrate. These include Whiteboard, Annotate, Screen Share, Timer, Spinner and more.

3. Flexible OPS Systems

Intelligent and flexible computing modules give you the freedom to use your interactive touchscreen display in a way that works for you using operating systems your school uses. Be it Chrome, Windows or Android OPS, Promethean panels provide you with the operating system of your choice enabling apps, whiteboarding, and browser access without needing a connected PC.

4. Device Integration
Promethean panels work well with laptops, tablets, and other classroom devices, making them ideal for mixed-device environments. Promethean's applications allow multiple students to interact and link their devices in a classroom group work environment.

Best For: Probably the go to interactive touchscreen display for schools. The strongest functionality, huge range of applications via Activinspire and ActivSuite, flexible choices in Windows, Chrome and Andriod operating systems and a range of boards priced for all budgets and user levels.

Choosing the Right Solution for Your School

When selecting interactive displays, schools should consider:

• Existing teaching software already used by staff and if it is still valid and appropriate
• Integration with current IT infrastructure (Chrome, Windows, Android or Google)
• Classroom device compatibility (Promethean full compatibility)
• Long-term support and installation (Promethean FOC Training, WEEE Recycling of old hardware and packaging)

This is where working with an experienced education technology provider can make a big difference.

Why Schools Choose Soltech IT Ltd

Soltech IT Ltd is a specialist supplier and installer of both SMART and Promethean touchscreens, helping schools select the solution that best suits their teaching environment.

Our services include:

• Expert advice on choosing the right interactive display
• Professional installation in classrooms (removal of old kit, trunking, cabling, etc...) including dado, back boxes, face plates and more
• Support for schools and multi-academy trusts (FOC training with Promethean)
• Competitive pricing on small and large orders

For large MAT (Multi-Academy Trust) orders, Soltech IT also offers free-of-charge storage, allowing trusts to stage deployments across multiple schools without worrying about logistics or space.

Supporting Schools Across the UK

Whether you're upgrading a few classrooms or rolling out interactive displays across an entire trust, having the right partner ensures the process is smooth from procurement to installation.

Contact us today.