4 Best Virtual Classroom Platforms for ESL Teachers: Zoom vs Koala Go vs Voov vs ClassIn

What to Look for in a Virtual ESL Classroom Platform

Not all platforms are created equal—especially when you teach English to young learners or beginners. Here are the key features to look for:

• Interactive tools (whiteboard, co-browser to allow for drag-and-drop and games)
• Screen sharing for lessons, videos, or slides
• Student controls (mute, annotate, permissions)
• Ease of access for students and parents
• Stability and performance on low-bandwidth devices
• Built-in reward systems or classroom visuals
• Free plan flexibility

💡 All Florentis Learning lessons are compatible with these tools and designed to be interactive—no matter what platform you use.

Zoom – The Familiar Favorite

Zoom is the most well-known option and for good reason: it’s reliable, familiar to parents, and easy to set up.

✅ Pros:

• Breakout rooms for small group work
• Annotation tools on shared screens
• Custom backgrounds for fun or privacy
• Widespread parent familiarity

❌ Cons:

• Requires external slides or resources
• Limited built-in engagement tools
• Free plan has a 40-minute time limit

Koala Go – Built for Engagement

Koala Go is designed specifically for online teachers and students. It’s a gamified, interactive space that makes learning feel like play.

✅ Pros:

• Students can interact with drag-and-drop, clickable games and quiz questions in lessons in the co-browser.
• Student avatars and a customizable classroom
• Virtual backgrounds
• Built-in rewards, and stars
• Whiteboard
• Designed for one-on-one or small group ESL
• Co-browser and playground allows for significant engagement and gamification
• Amazing support

Voov – Lightweight and Region-Friendly

Voov (also called Tencent Meeting) is widely used in China and other parts of Asia. It’s easy to install, low on system resources, and great for quick lessons.

✅ Pros:

• Runs smoothly even with lower internet speeds
• Clean, minimal interface
• Built-in whiteboard
• Well-suited for Chinese students (easy access from mainland China)
• Free plan with 60 minute meeting limit and 100 attendees

❌ Cons:

• No reward systems or gamification
• Less visibility outside of Asia

ClassIn – A Full Classroom Suite

ClassIn is a robust platform built for professional online teaching. It combines video conferencing with a full suite of classroom tools.

✅ Pros:

• Built-in whiteboard, file sharing, assignments
• Floating toolbar with teaching tools
• Timer, rewards, drawing tools, chat control
• Easily assign homework and communicate with classes

❌ Cons:

• Steep learning curve for teachers and students
• Busy interface can be overwhelming at first
• Higher system requirements for smooth performance
• No co-browser
• Limited free plan

Side-by-Side Comparison Chart of the Best Virtual Classroom Platforms

Feature	Zoom	Koala Go	Voov	ClassIn
Interactive Tools	✅ Limited	✅✅✅ Built-In cobrowser and playground	❌ Minimal	✅✅✅ Advanced
Slide Sharing	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Co-browser	❌ No	✅ Yes	❌ No	❌ No
Whiteboard	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Parent-Friendliness	✅✅	✅	✅✅✅	❌ Complex UI
Learning Curve	✅ Easy	❌ Medium	✅ Easy	❌❌ Steep
Gamified Rewards	❌ No	✅✅✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes
Free Plan	40 min / 100	30 min / 2	60 min / 100	40 min / 10 lessons per month
Works with Florentis?	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes

So… Which Platform Is Right for You?

Choose your platform based on your teaching style, student needs, and tech comfort level:

• 🧑‍🎓 New to online teaching? Start with Zoom for its familiarity and ease of use.
• 🎮 Want maximum student engagement? Try Koala Go for its game-based classroom.
• 🌍 Teaching students in China? Use Voov for easy access and minimal setup.
• 🏫 Looking for an all-in-one classroom system including homework and communication tools? Try ClassIn, especially for structured group lessons.

Final Tip

Don’t let tech overwhelm you—start small, test each platform with a free plan, and choose the one that helps you feel confident, creative, and in control of your classroom.

🧪 Want to test how your lessons work across platforms? Grab the free Florentis Learning sample package — built to work on any platform and test them out yourself. It’s interactive, engaging, and takes the guesswork out of lesson planning.