Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Blackboard Learn VS Canvas LMS

Compare Blackboard Learn VS Canvas LMS and see what are their differences

Blackboard Learn logo Blackboard Learn

Blackboard provides enterprise technology and innovative solutions that enhance teaching and learning methods

Canvas LMS logo Canvas LMS

Canvas is the trusted, open-source learning management system (LMS) that's revolutionizing the way we educate. Take Canvas for a test drive with our free, two-week trial account. Sign up now! Call 800-203-6755.
  • Blackboard Learn Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-26
  • Canvas LMS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-11

  www.instructure.comSoftware by Instructure

Blackboard Learn features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Blackboard Learn features an intuitive interface that is easy to navigate, which minimizes the learning curve for new users.
  • Comprehensive Tools
    The platform offers a wide range of educational tools and resources including quizzes, assignments, discussion boards, and multimedia support, enhancing the overall learning experience.
  • Mobile Accessibility
    The Blackboard Learn mobile app allows students and instructors to access course materials and interact with the platform on the go.
  • Robust Communication
    Integrated tools for announcements, messaging, and discussion forums facilitate effective communication between students and instructors.
  • Customization
    Instructors can customize the course layout and content to better fit their teaching style and the needs of their students.

Possible disadvantages of Blackboard Learn

  • Cost
    Blackboard Learn can be expensive for institutions, which may be a barrier for smaller schools or those with limited budgets.
  • Complex Setup
    Setting up and configuring the platform can be complex and time-consuming, often requiring specialized IT support.
  • Performance Issues
    Users have reported occasional performance issues such as slow loading times and downtime, which can disrupt the learning experience.
  • Steep Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    While the basic interface is user-friendly, mastering the more advanced features can be challenging for some users.
  • Limited Integrations
    Although Blackboard Learn supports various integrations, it may not seamlessly integrate with all third-party applications that an institution uses.

Canvas LMS features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Canvas LMS offers a clean and intuitive user interface, making it easy for educators and students to navigate the platform without extensive training.
  • Mobile Accessibility
    Canvas LMS has dedicated apps for iOS and Android, allowing users to access course materials, submit assignments, and participate in discussions on the go.
  • Integration Capabilities
    Canvas LMS can seamlessly integrate with numerous third-party tools and services, including Google Drive, Microsoft Office 365, and various plagiarism detection tools.
  • Customizable Modules
    Educators can tailor the learning modules to fit the course requirements, including multimedia content, quizzes, and assignments.
  • Robust Analytics
    The LMS provides detailed analytics and reporting tools, enabling educators to monitor student progress and adjust teaching strategies accordingly.
  • Scalability
    Canvas LMS is suitable for institutions of all sizes, from small schools to large universities, thanks to its scalable architecture.

Possible disadvantages of Canvas LMS

  • Cost
    Canvas LMS can be expensive for some institutions, especially small ones with limited budgets, due to its subscription-based pricing model.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    While Canvas LMS is easy for basic use, mastering its more advanced features may require additional training for both educators and administrators.
  • Occasional Performance Issues
    Users have reported occasional lag and performance issues, particularly during peak usage times, which can disrupt the learning process.
  • Limited Offline Access
    Students and educators can face challenges accessing course materials offline, which can be a drawback in areas with inconsistent internet connectivity.
  • Support Response Time
    Some users have experienced slow response times from customer support, which can be frustrating when urgent assistance is needed.

Analysis of Blackboard Learn

Overall verdict

  • Blackboard Learn is generally considered a good option for educational institutions seeking a comprehensive and customizable LMS. However, some users may experience a learning curve due to its wide array of features, and others have reported that the interface can feel outdated compared to newer platforms. Overall, it remains a solid choice for those who need a reliable and scalable solution for managing educational content and facilitating online learning.

Why this product is good

  • Blackboard Learn, now part of Anthology, is a widely used Learning Management System (LMS) that offers robust tools for educators and students. It provides features such as content management, assessment tools, communication aids, and real-time feedback, which enhance the teaching and learning experience. The platform is also highly customizable, allowing institutions to tailor it to their specific needs. Furthermore, Blackboard Learn integrates with various third-party applications, offering flexibility and extending its functionality.

Recommended for

    Blackboard Learn is recommended for institutions and educators looking for a robust and flexible LMS solution. It suits universities and colleges that require extensive functionality and customizability, and it can also benefit corporate training environments. It is ideal for users who require a well-supported platform capable of managing large volumes of users and content.

Analysis of Canvas LMS

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Canvas LMS is generally considered a good learning management system.

Why this product is good

  • User-Friendly Interface: Canvas LMS is known for its clean and intuitive design, making it easy for both instructors and students to navigate.
  • Robust Features: It offers a wide range of features, including course creation, assessment tools, grading, communication, and collaboration tools.
  • Integration Capabilities: Canvas supports integrations with a variety of third-party tools and services, enhancing its functionality.
  • Customization: Institutions can customize Canvas to fit their specific needs, offering flexibility in design and course delivery.
  • Strong Support and Community: Canvas has a strong support network and an active user community, which can be helpful for troubleshooting and exchanging ideas.

Recommended for

  • Educational Institutions: Schools, colleges, and universities looking for a comprehensive and scalable platform to manage and deliver online courses.
  • Corporate Training: Organizations that want to train their employees and need a reliable platform for course delivery, tracking, and assessment.
  • Instructors and Educators: Teachers who need a platform that facilitates course management, communication with students, and efficient grading.

Blackboard Learn videos

Blackboard Learn Review: Hard to use software that is also very expensive!

More videos:

  • Review - Blackboard Learn Review: Blackboard Review
  • Review - Blackboard Learn Review: using blackboard makes my day worse

Canvas LMS videos

An Overview of Canvas LMS

More videos:

  • Review - Canvas LMS NEW UPDATES in 2020

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Blackboard Learn and Canvas LMS)
Education
29 29%
71% 71
LMS
35 35%
65% 65
Online Learning
33 33%
67% 67
HR
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Blackboard Learn and Canvas LMS

Blackboard Learn Reviews

10 Best Google Classroom Alternatives: Which Should You Choose?
If you want to opt for a tried and true Google Classroom alternative, Blackboard Learn is the way to go. This learning management system largely caters to higher education. Although, the company has been gearing its services toward business and government entities as well. Consequently, Blackboard has added a new LMS version called “Learn Ultra.” What’s more, is that Learn...
Top 15 educational software to streamline the learning process
Blackboard Learn has course development and management capabilities, discussion forums, online assessments, grade tracking, and connected education spaces. Some of its upsides include supporting asynchronous learning for flexibility and accessibility, streamlining administrative processes, and enhancing the overall teaching and learning experience.
The 10 Best Moodle Alternatives & Competitors (Updated for 2024)
Blackboard Learn facilitates collaboration through features like announcements, instant messaging tools, and discussion boards. These help learners better communicate with instructors and collaborate with peers.
Source: www.docebo.com

Canvas LMS Reviews

10 Best Google Classroom Alternatives: Which Should You Choose?
Canvas is an open-source learning management system for teaching, learning, and even designing. Within a single platform, the program provides content, grades, communication tools, and analytics. What makes this option so appealing is that it offers several customizability and integration options. Canvas is more feature-rich than most of its competitors and provides a unique...
Top 15 educational software to streamline the learning process
Canvas lets teachers design, organize, and deliver course content easily. Its flexible and adaptable online and mixed-learning environment encourages student and instructor cooperation. Canvas simplifies course and student progress management, letting educators focus on education and giving students a seamless learning experience.
10 Best Moodle Alternatives to Jumpstart Your Courses
Canvas LMS by Instructure is a learning management system designed to maximize the learning process and enhance students’ knowledge. It has a Canvas mobile app, so you can monitor students’ responses and react to them quickly, see and add announcements, and track learners’ attendance on the go.
Source: sendpulse.com
10 Best Moodle Alternatives in 2024
Canvas LMS also offers a mobile app and a fair amount of flexibility. There is a learning curve but this can be solved with online videos and training material that are readily available.
Source: cloudassess.com
The 10 Best Moodle Alternatives & Competitors (Updated for 2024)
Canvas LMS hosts robust social learning features like interactive discussion boards, forums, instant messaging, and video and audio notes. These help learners collaborate and share their learning experiences.
Source: www.docebo.com

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Blackboard Learn and Canvas LMS, you can also consider the following products

Talent LMS - A super-easy, cloud LMS to train your employees, partners, customers or students.

Kahoot! - Kahoot! makes it easy to create, play and share fun learning games in minutes—for any subject, in any language, on any device.

Moodle - Moodle is the world's most popular learning management system. Start creating your online learning site in minutes!

Litmos LMS - Most User-Friendly Learning Management System (LMS) in the World

Docebo - Docebo Learning Management System is the best cloud LMS system on the market for online training. AICC SCORM xAPI compliant. Mobile elearning platform

schoology - An online learning, classroom management & social networking platform that provides educators & students w/ more effective, efficient & engaging ways to learn.