FREE · NO SIGN-UP · AUDIO STAYS ON YOUR DEVICE
Free Bouncy Balls alternative for classrooms (2026)
Bouncy Balls (bouncyballs.org) is a simple, free classroom noise monitor: colourful balls bounce higher as the room gets louder. PetSilence keeps that bouncing-ball display and adds a calm class pet, a farm that grows over the school year, focus goals, and progress for each class.
Both are free, run in the browser, and need no account. This page compares them feature by feature so you can pick the one that fits your class.
Open PetSilence to try the interactive monitor with bouncing balls, a class pet, or the Quiet Farm.
PetSilence vs Bouncy Balls: feature comparison
Checked on 11 November 2026. Both tools turn room sound into a visual cue; the differences are in what comes with it.
| Feature | PetSilence | Bouncy Balls |
|---|---|---|
| Price and account | Free, no account | Free, no account |
| Bouncing balls | Yes: Glossy, Bubbles, and Faces themes, adjustable number of balls | Yes: Plastic, Emoji, Numbers, Bubbles, and Eyeballs themes, adjustable number of balls |
| Other visuals | An animal pet (corgi, kitten, bunny, or panda) in cartoon, hand-drawn, or felt style, and a Quiet Farm | Balls only |
| Sensitivity | Calibrates to your room, then Silent Zone or Whisper Zone | Sensitivity slider |
| Too-loud sound | Optional chime or shush, off by default | Optional beep or shush |
| Focus timer and rewards | 3, 5, 10, or 15 minute goals with stars and farm harvests | Not included |
| Progress across days | Quiet calendar, farm, and visitor book saved for each class | Not included |
| Several classes | A separate farm for each class on the same computer | Not included |
| Ads | None | None seen |
| Audio privacy | Sound level is measured on the device; audio is never recorded or uploaded | See its privacy policy for current details |
Product features can change. Visit the official Bouncy Balls website and its privacy policy for its current experience.
When Bouncy Balls is the better choice
- You only want bouncing balls and the fewest possible buttons.
- Your class loves the Emoji, Numbers, or Eyeballs ball themes.
When PetSilence is the better choice
- Fast-moving balls get your class more excited, and a calm character works better.
- You want quiet time to add up to something: focus goals, stars, and a farm that grows over weeks.
- You teach several classes and want each one to keep its own progress.
- You want balls and a pet in one tool, and can switch between them without restarting.
Switching from Bouncy Balls in two minutes
- Choose Bouncing balls above, then pick a ball theme and how many balls to show.
- Press Start and allow the microphone.
- Calibrate once in a quiet room so the levels fit your classroom.
- Pick Silent Zone for independent work or Whisper Zone for partner talk.
- Optional: turn on the too-loud sound. Shush is closest to the Bouncy Balls alert.
- Set a focus goal, then go fullscreen on the projector.
Bouncing-ball noise monitor questions
Is PetSilence the official Bouncy Balls website?
No. PetSilence is an independent classroom noise monitor and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Bouncy Balls.
Does PetSilence have a noise alert like Bouncy Balls?
Yes. Next to the classroom sound meter you can turn on a soft chime or a gentle shush that plays once when the room becomes too loud. It is off by default.
Which one has more ball themes?
Bouncy Balls has five ball themes (Plastic, Emoji, Numbers, Bubbles, and Eyeballs). PetSilence has three (Glossy, Bubbles, and Faces), plus an animal pet and a farm as other visuals.
Can I use the bouncing balls without creating an account?
Yes. Open the page, select Bouncing balls, and allow microphone access. No teacher or student account is required.
Does the balls mode record classroom conversations?
No. PetSilence calculates relative sound intensity locally and does not record, store, transcribe, or upload classroom audio.
Are the readings calibrated decibels?
No. Browser microphones vary, so the display shows a device-relative classroom sound level. It is not a calibrated sound-pressure meter.
Independent product notice: PetSilence is an independently developed product. “Bouncy Balls” is used on this page only to describe and compare the separate classroom tool available at bouncyballs.org. PetSilence does not copy its code, artwork, audio, or interface and is not affiliated with its operator.