Sibme and Trellis both help school leaders and coaches improve instruction, but they start from different places. Sibme is an instructional evidence platform built around video, coaching cycles, and an AI Copilot across that evidence, with an observations module added in 2026 and optional expert coaching services. Trellis focuses on one job: helping leaders turn classroom observation notes into specific, growth-focused feedback quickly, with each teacher's history built in. Schools building a video coaching program should look at Sibme; leaders whose bottleneck is writing feedback should look at Trellis.
What Sibme offers
Sibme describes itself as a K-12 instructional evidence platform. Teachers and coaches record and share classroom video, annotate it with timestamped comments, and run coaching cycles around that evidence. Sibme reports that more than 500 districts use the platform.
Sibme Copilot is an AI assistant that works across a school's Sibme evidence: it can answer questions, surface patterns across observations, and suggest coaching recommendations, including analysis of classroom talk, questioning, and engagement. In July 2026 Sibme launched an Observations module with synced notes, Copilot support, and meeting summaries.
Sibme also offers virtual coaching, pairing teachers and leaders with expert coaches who use video evidence and AI insights. For a school that wants software and coaching capacity from one vendor, that combination is a distinguishing feature.
What Trellis offers
Trellis is narrower on purpose. It is built for the moment after a classroom visit, when a leader has rough notes and needs to send feedback a teacher will read and use. Leaders capture observations through typed notes, document uploads, or audio recordings, and Trellis drafts feedback aligned to Danielson, Marzano, CSTPs, UDL, or a custom rubric.
Every teacher has a longitudinal growth profile, so new feedback references earlier observations and goals. Drafts are positive-first, and ToneBoost adjusts the language to fit each teacher. Because Trellis does not require video, it works for walkthroughs and informal observations where recording isn't practical or permitted.
Teacher PII is anonymized before any content reaches an AI model, and Trellis supports FERPA obligations with a signed data processing agreement (DPA). The Site plan is self-serve at $249 per seat per year with unlimited teachers.
Key differences at a glance
The table below compares Trellis with Sibme, based on Sibme's public materials as of the review date.
| Category | Trellis | Sibme |
|---|---|---|
| Primary focus | Observation feedback writing and teacher growth for school leaders | Instructional evidence platform built around video and coaching cycles |
| Observation capture | Typed notes, document upload, audio recording | Classroom video with annotations; Observations module with synced notes |
| AI capabilities | Framework-aligned feedback drafts that build on teacher history; ToneBoost | Sibme Copilot for questions, patterns, coaching recommendations, and talk analysis |
| Framework support | Danielson, Marzano, CSTPs, UDL, custom rubrics | Configurable observation and coaching workflows |
| Human coaching | Supports your leaders' coaching; no outside coaches | Optional virtual coaching with expert coaches |
| Requires video | No | Video is central, though observations can use notes |
| Best suited for | Leaders who need fast, connected written feedback after every visit | Schools building video-based coaching programs |
Where Trellis stands out
- No cameras required: works for walkthroughs and informal visits where recording isn't practical
- Purpose-built for writing feedback, so leaders go from notes to a finished draft in minutes
- Each draft builds on the teacher's earlier observations and goals
- ToneBoost tailors the language of feedback to each teacher
- Self-serve Site plan with unlimited teachers
Which is right for you?
The right choice depends on whether your coaching model runs on video.
Choose Sibme if you are building a coaching program around recorded lessons, want AI analysis across that video evidence, or want access to outside expert coaches through the same vendor.
Choose Trellis if your leaders already visit classrooms and the bottleneck is turning those visits into specific, connected feedback. Trellis focuses on that step and keeps each teacher's growth story in one place.
Some schools will use both: Sibme for video coaching cycles and Trellis for the written feedback leaders send after walkthroughs and observations.
Frequently asked questions
Does Sibme have AI features?
Yes. Sibme Copilot is an AI assistant across a school's Sibme evidence that can surface patterns across observations, analyze classroom talk and questioning, and suggest coaching recommendations.
Do I need video to use Trellis?
No. Trellis works from typed notes, document uploads, or audio recordings, so it fits walkthroughs and informal observations where recording classes isn't practical.
Can Trellis and Sibme be used together?
Yes. Sibme centers on video-based coaching cycles, and Trellis on the written feedback leaders send after classroom visits. They cover different parts of a school's professional learning.
Try Trellis
Turn your observation notes into feedback teachers use.
Trellis drafts specific, framework-aligned feedback that remembers each teacher's growth, so a write-up takes minutes instead of an evening.