Disclosure: This comparison is published by Labbaik. We've tried to represent IBEAMS and the other platforms named on this page fairly using publicly available information, but we naturally know Labbaik in greater depth. If you spot something outdated, let us know.
Quick comparison
| Platform | Free plan | Mobile-first | Masjid tools | Pricing model |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IBEAMS (the platform you're comparing against) | No — from £15/month | Desktop dashboard, same layout on phones | Not publicly advertised | £15 / £30 / £60 a month + optional add-ons |
| Labbaik | Yes — Safar, no card, no expiry | Yes — PWA, phone-first for teachers | Donations, events, certificates | Free; costs built into the class price by default (inclusive pricing) |
| e-maktab | Up to 20 students | No — responsive website, no app | Not publicly advertised | Subscription, £50 to £99 a month |
| IlmFlow | No — 30-day trial | Web-based, no dedicated teacher app | Not part of the platform | 25p/student/month, £15 minimum |
| MaktabMate | No — 30-day trial | Responsive, not phone-first | Not part of the platform | From ~£5/month, capped by plan |
| Raziil | Unclear / limited | Desktop-first | Bundled masjid subdomain site only | Quote on request |
The alternatives, one by one
Labbaik — a modular platform for the organisation around the madrasah
Labbaik covers the same everyday madrasah ground as IBEAMS (attendance, fees, progress, exams and a parent portal) as a phone-first PWA, then extends to the organisation around it: payroll, WhatsApp operations, donation campaigns, community events and bookings, and verifiable certificates. It's modular, so a madrasah only sees the tools it uses, and the Safar plan is free with no student cap. Moving from IBEAMS is free with Hijrah. See the full Labbaik vs IBEAMS comparison for details.
e-maktab — for a proven, admin-first track record
e-maktab has a strong Trustpilot history and a broad admin feature set (incident logging, governor reports), on a responsive website rather than a dedicated app. Pricing isn't published, so you'll need to email or book a demo. See the full Labbaik vs e-maktab comparison.
IlmFlow — for a flat monthly bill and UK payroll
IlmFlow publishes its pricing openly and includes its own HMRC-compatible payroll module. It doesn't offer a free plan, and the bill applies whether or not fee collection is active that month. See the full Labbaik vs IlmFlow comparison.
MaktabMate — a lighter, lower-cost option
MaktabMate is a newer product with openly published, low-cost pricing for a small maktab, though student and teacher counts are capped by plan. See the full Labbaik vs MaktabMate comparison.
Raziil — an established, admin-first option
Raziil has a longer operating history across UK institutions and bundles a public masjid subdomain site, but pricing isn't published and the interface leans traditional and desktop-first. See the full Labbaik vs Raziil comparison.
Looking specifically for something free? See the free, modern alternative to IBEAMS: what Labbaik's Safar plan includes, what it costs, and how to move your IBEAMS data across with Hijrah.
Which alternative should you pick?
If you want a modern, mobile-first platform that genuinely runs the whole masjid — not just the maktab — Labbaik is the closest match, and it stays focused if you only run a madrasah. If a proven, admin-first track record matters more than mobile design, e-maktab or Raziil are the more traditional picks. If a flat published bill with UK payroll matters most, compare IlmFlow directly; for a very small maktab on a tight budget, MaktabMate's entry tier is worth a look.
Frequently asked questions
What's the best free alternative to IBEAMS?
Labbaik. Its Safar plan has no monthly fee, no student cap and no card required, with a platform fee only on card payments collected. IBEAMS' Basic plan is £15/month for up to 50 students.
Is there an IBEAMS alternative built for teachers on their phones, not a desktop?
Yes. Labbaik is a PWA built phone-first, so teachers take attendance and log Hifz progress from the classroom floor. IBEAMS says it's fully responsive, but on a phone it shows its desktop dashboard layout; e-maktab, MaktabMate and Raziil are also built around a web dashboard workflow.
Which IBEAMS alternative has real masjid tools, not just marketing?
Labbaik. IBEAMS is focused on Islamic education, with no donation, event or community tools publicly advertised. Labbaik includes donation campaigns, community events and certificates alongside maktab management, in the same system.
Which IBEAMS alternative is best for a small UK maktab?
Labbaik's free Safar plan is generally the lowest-risk starting point, since there's no subscription to commit to and no student cap to grow out of. MaktabMate's entry tier is also inexpensive if you want a very low fixed monthly cost.
Can I migrate from IBEAMS to one of these alternatives?
If you choose Labbaik, yes, and it's free. Hijrah by Labbaik reads IBEAMS exports and moves your students, families, classes and payment history across, flagging anything unclear for you to check before it imports. For the other platforms listed, check directly with their teams.
Our research
Compiled from each platform's own public pages as of September 2026: IBEAMS (pricing and features, checked October 2026 ), e-maktab (homepage), IlmFlow (pricing), MaktabMate (homepage & pricing), Raziil (homepage). Feature availability and pricing can change — check each source directly before deciding.
Labbaik isn't only maktab and madrasah software — the same platform also runs donations, community certificates, events and non-educational classes, so a masjid can run its whole community on one system. It adapts to the organisation you run, so a madrasah or maktab only sees the tools it uses. See how Labbaik adapts to your organisation →
Parents and students sign in with a magic link sent to their email, with Google, or with a code sent on WhatsApp to the number the madrasah has for them. Admins and teachers sign in with a magic link, Google or a passkey, which uses their phone or computer's face, fingerprint or screen lock. Nobody has a password to set, forget or reset. Tour the parent portal →
Send us whatever you're using today — a spreadsheet, e-Maktab, IBEAMS, IlmFlow, or a folder of paper registers. We'll set Labbaik up for you and migrate every student, family, class and fee balance across ourselves, at no cost.
If your committee isn't ready to take its first register yet, that's fine too — we'll finish the whole setup so it's ready the moment you are. Get in touch and tell us what you're moving from.