CATME vs. CoStudy: Two approaches to peer evaluation.
An honest comparison. CATME pioneered this space and deserves credit for it. Here's how the two tools differ and which might be right for you.
A note on CATME: CATME was built by researchers at Purdue University and has been used at hundreds of institutions. It validated the idea that structured peer evaluation improves team outcomes, and much of the research that informs CoStudy's design was conducted using CATME's instruments. We respect what the CATME team has built and the research community that supports it.
Feature comparison
| Feature | CATME | CoStudy |
|---|---|---|
| Peer evaluation | ||
| Team formation tools | ||
| Formative mid-project check-ins | ||
| Behavioral question design | ||
| Student feedback report cards | ||
| Real-time team health dashboards | ||
| Canvas LTI 1.3 integration | ||
| Custom question types | ||
| Free for individual professors | ||
| No student fees | ||
| Modern UI/UX | ||
| Department admin dashboard | ||
| AACSB/ABET data export | ||
| Active development |
What CATME gets right
Pioneered peer evaluation in higher education and proved that structured assessment improves team outcomes.
Built a validated instrument (the CATME-B) with strong psychometric properties backed by published research.
Includes team formation algorithms that optimize team composition based on student attributes.
Free for professors and students, keeping the barrier to adoption low.
Where CoStudy is different
Formative, not just summative
CoStudy is built around mid-project check-ins that give students feedback while there's still time to improve. CATME is primarily designed for end-of-project evaluation.
Modern UX that students actually use
CoStudy is a modern web application built with current design standards. Students complete evaluations in under five minutes, and the interface requires no training or onboarding.
Real-time dashboards for professors
CoStudy gives professors live visibility into team health across all their sections. No waiting for reports to be generated or data to be exported.
Canvas LTI 1.3 integration
CoStudy integrates natively with Canvas via LTI 1.3, so students access evaluations from within their LMS. No separate login, no extra friction.
Student feedback report cards
Students receive personalized report cards with actionable insights on their collaboration skills. This turns peer evaluation into a learning experience, not just a data collection exercise.
Custom question types
Professors can customize assessments with six different question types, including Likert scales, multiple choice, and open-ended reflections. Build exactly the evaluation your course needs.
Migrating from CATME?
We'll help you get set up. Most professors are running their first CoStudy assessment within 15 minutes. Book a call and we'll walk you through the transition.