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 If you spot something outdated, let us know.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 | No — desktop dashboard | Markets to "Mosque"; none found in practice | 3 tiers + paid add-ons |
| Labbaik | Yes — Safar, no card, no expiry | Yes — PWA, phone-first for teachers | Donations, events, certificates | Free base + from 1.5% on card payments collected |
| e-maktab | No — demo/quote only | No — responsive website, no app | Not part of the platform | Not published |
| 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 | Desktop-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 — the modern, mobile-first alternative with genuine masjid tools
Labbaik covers the same maktab ground as IBEAMS — attendance, fees, parent communication — on a modern PWA built phone-first, with progress and Hifz tracking included on every plan rather than sold as an add-on. Beyond the maktab, Labbaik genuinely extends to the masjid: donation campaigns, community events and bookings, and verifiable certificates, in the same system IBEAMS only markets toward without the matching features. IBEAMS also refreshed its marketing homepage in 2026, though the product behind it — including the login screen and some in-app navigation — hasn't had the same update. 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.
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, with progress tracking included rather than a paid add-on. 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 — IBEAMS' Basic tier starts at £15/month and caps at 50 students before add-ons like progress tracking and extra support push the bill higher.
Is there an IBEAMS alternative built for teachers on their phones, not a desktop?
Yes — Labbaik is a modern PWA built phone-first, so teachers take attendance and log Hifz progress from the classroom floor rather than a desktop dashboard. IBEAMS, e-maktab, MaktabMate and Raziil are all built around a desktop-first or web-only workflow.
Which IBEAMS alternative has real masjid tools, not just marketing?
Labbaik. IBEAMS positions itself for "Private schools and Mosque," but its public feature list is maktab administration only — no donation, event or community tools we could find. 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 — student, class and fee records can usually be imported from a CSV export, and our team can help with a guided migration. 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 (homepage, including the published "Technologies" section), 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.
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.