5 Best Classroom Name Pickers for Teachers (2026)
Published February 23, 2026
Picking students randomly for activities, presentations, or group work doesn't have to be boring. The right random name picker can turn a routine classroom moment into something students actually look forward to. Here are the 5 best classroom name pickers in 2026.
What Makes a Good Classroom Name Picker?
- No sign-up required — teachers need tools that work instantly
- Works on projectors — must display well on large screens
- Mobile-friendly — works on tablets and phones too
- Engaging for students — visual appeal keeps attention
- Fair and random — every student should have an equal chance
- Free — school budgets are tight
1. Roulette Rush — Most Engaging for Students
Roulette Rush turns name picking into a marble race event. Students watch their marble bounce through obstacle courses powered by real physics. It's the most visually engaging option available, and students genuinely get excited about being picked.
- Price: Free, no sign-up
- Max students: 500
- Works on: Desktop, tablet, phone, projector
- Student engagement: Very high
- Privacy: All data stays in browser
Best for: Teachers who want to make name picking an event. Works great for participation, presentations, group assignments, and review games. Check the step-by-step guide to get started.
2. Wheel of Names — Best Simple Wheel Spinner
A classic spinning wheel that's easy to set up. Enter student names, spin, and get a winner. It's not as exciting as marble racing, but it's familiar and simple. The free version has ads.
- Price: Free (ads) / Pro $3/mo
- Student engagement: Moderate
3. Flippity Random Name Picker — Best Google Sheets Integration
Flippity connects to Google Sheets, making it easy to manage class rosters. If you already track students in Google Sheets, this is a convenient option. The visual presentation is basic but functional.
- Price: Free
- Requires: Google account + Google Sheets
- Student engagement: Low
4. ClassDojo Random Picker — Best Within ClassDojo Ecosystem
If your school already uses ClassDojo for behavior management, their built-in random picker is convenient. It pulls from your existing class roster. However, it requires a ClassDojo account and isn't available standalone.
- Price: Free (within ClassDojo)
- Requires: ClassDojo account + existing class
- Student engagement: Low to moderate
5. Picker Wheel — Best Customizable Option
Picker Wheel offers custom colors, sound effects, and the ability to remove picked names from subsequent spins. Good for multi-round activities where you don't want to pick the same student twice.
- Price: Free (ads) / Pro $4/mo
- Student engagement: Moderate
The Verdict
For maximum student engagement, Roulette Rush is the best classroom name picker in 2026. The marble racing format turns a routine activity into something students actually look forward to. It requires no sign-up, works on any device, and keeps all data private. For teachers who prefer a traditional wheel, Wheel of Names or Picker Wheel are solid alternatives.