# What free mode includes

> Academium SMS Help › Getting started
> For: School Owner, School Admin
> Web page: https://helpcenter.academium.com.ng/academium-sms/article/sms-free-mode
> Last updated: 2026-10-06

A new school can start in **free mode** before choosing a paid plan. Free mode lets you set up your school and use the core of Academium SMS with a small number of students.

## Included in free mode

- Dashboard, students, parents and staff records
- Academics: classes, subjects, timetables and promotion
- Attendance
- Exams, grading, positions and comment templates
- Report cards and other printables
- Alumni
- School settings

## Limits in free mode

| What | Limit |
| --- | --- |
| Students you can add | Up to **20** |
| Classes you can take attendance for | Up to **5** per session (re-marking a class you have already counted is allowed) |
| Importing students, parents, staff, marks or attendance from a spreadsheet | Needs a paid plan |
| Staff pension details | Needs a paid plan |

## Not included in free mode

These modules need a paid plan: school fees, the family wallet, school accounting and bank reconciliation, tax, transport, hostel, scholarships, payroll and human resources, inventory, the front desk, events, extracurricular activities, the school gallery, junior (skills) assessment, notifications, NYSC management, student transfers and leavers.

When you reach a limit or open a module your plan does not include, Academium tells you so instead of failing silently.

## Moving to a paid plan

The school owner manages the school's plan from **Subscription** in the sidebar. Everything you set up in free mode is kept when you upgrade.

To compare plans, see the pricing page on the Academium website.

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