Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Canvas by Instructure VS LearnDash

Compare Canvas by Instructure VS LearnDash and see what are their differences

Canvas by Instructure logo Canvas by Instructure

The Canvas LMS is the world's fastest growing learning management system. Check out favorite features and schedule a live demo!

LearnDash logo LearnDash

LearnDash is a Wordpress LMS plugin enabling organizations to create and deliver courses.
  • Canvas by Instructure Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-11
  • LearnDash Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-25

Canvas by Instructure features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Canvas is designed with a simple, clean interface that is easy for both instructors and students to navigate, reducing the learning curve.
  • Customizable
    Canvas offers extensive customization options, allowing institutions to tailor the platform to their specific needs and branding.
  • Integration Capabilities
    Canvas supports a wide range of third-party integrations, including popular educational tools and services, increasing its adaptability.
  • Mobile App
    Canvas provides a robust mobile app that allows students and teachers to access course materials, submit assignments, and engage in discussions on the go.
  • Active Community and Support
    Canvas has a large community of users who share resources and strategies, as well as extensive support options including guides, tutorials, and customer service.
  • Robust Analytics
    Canvas includes powerful analytics tools that allow educators to track student performance and engagement, facilitating data-driven decisions.

Possible disadvantages of Canvas by Instructure

  • Cost
    The pricing for Canvas can be high, particularly for smaller institutions, and additional costs may be incurred for certain premium features or integrations.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    While the basic features are straightforward, more advanced functionalities can have a steeper learning curve, requiring time and training to utilize fully.
  • Occasional Downtime
    Some users have reported occasional downtime or slow performance, which can be disruptive to the teaching and learning process.
  • Limited Offline Access
    Canvas's offline access features are somewhat limited, making it difficult for students and instructors to work without a stable internet connection.
  • Support Response Time
    While Canvas offers comprehensive support, some users have experienced slower response times for resolving issues, especially during peak usage periods.
  • Complexity for Large Courses
    Managing very large courses with many students can be complex and require more administrative effort, which can be cumbersome without adequate support.

LearnDash features and specs

  • Customizability
    LearnDash offers extensive customization options, allowing users to tailor their courses and interfaces to meet specific needs.
  • Advanced Features
    LearnDash includes advanced features such as drip-feed content, quizzes, gamification, and multi-tier courses, which enhance the learning experience.
  • Integration
    LearnDash integrates seamlessly with numerous plugins and tools such as WooCommerce, bbPress, and membership plugins, providing extended functionality.
  • Community Support
    There is a strong community and support system for LearnDash users, including forums, documentation, and customer support.
  • Scalability
    LearnDash is scalable and can handle a growing number of courses and students, making it suitable for both small and large organizations.

Possible disadvantages of LearnDash

  • Complexity
    Due to its wide range of features and customization options, LearnDash can be complex to set up and might require a steep learning curve for new users.
  • Cost
    LearnDash requires a purchase of a license that can be costly, and additional costs might be incurred if third-party plugins or add-ons are needed.
  • Performance Issues
    Heavy usage of LearnDash along with multiple plugins can lead to performance issues, such as slower page load times.
  • Technical Knowledge
    Effective use of LearnDash may require technical knowledge or hiring a developer to fully utilize its capabilities and properly integrate it with other systems.
  • Limited Design Options
    While customizable, LearnDash's design options for the front-end user interface might be limited without additional CSS or third-party themes.

Analysis of Canvas by Instructure

Overall verdict

  • Overall, Canvas by Instructure is considered a strong choice for educational institutions seeking a reliable and effective learning management system. Its emphasis on simplicity without sacrificing functionality makes it a popular option among schools, colleges, and universities.

Why this product is good

  • Canvas by Instructure is highly regarded for its user-friendly interface, robust set of features, and flexibility. It's designed to facilitate teaching and learning through customizable course creation, a wide range of integrations with other educational tools, and comprehensive analytics to track student progress. Instructors and students alike appreciate its intuitive navigation and accessibility, which supports a positive educational experience.

Recommended for

    Canvas is recommended for educational institutions of all sizes, from K-12 schools to higher education establishments. It is particularly beneficial for environments where both online and blended learning are prominent, and where there is a need for strong analytical tools to track and enhance student performance. Additionally, institutions looking for a customizable and scalable LMS solution will find Canvas suitable to their needs.

Analysis of LearnDash

Overall verdict

  • LearnDash is a strong choice for WordPress users in need of a comprehensive LMS. Its combination of features, integration capabilities, and flexible pricing models make it a worthy option for educators and businesses alike. However, due to its complexity, it might have a steeper learning curve compared to simpler, more out-of-the-box LMS options.

Why this product is good

  • LearnDash is a popular Learning Management System (LMS) designed for WordPress. It is favored for its robust set of features that cater to a wide variety of e-learning needs. Users appreciate its flexibility, allowing educators to create highly customized learning experiences. It also integrates well with a range of other tools and plugins, enhancing its functionality. LearnDash supports multimedia content, quizzes, and assignments, and offers flexible monetization options for selling courses. Additionally, its active community and reliable customer support are frequently cited as benefits by users.

Recommended for

  • Educational institutions looking to implement online courses.
  • Businesses seeking to develop training programs for employees.
  • Entrepreneurs and subject matter experts who wish to monetize their knowledge through online courses.
  • Users who are comfortable with WordPress and want to maintain control over course design and functionality.

Canvas by Instructure videos

CANVAS BEAUTY HAIR GROWTH SERUM ๐Ÿ’• PRODUCT REVIEW!

More videos:

  • Review - Canvas Beauty Brand | 3 Month Product Review Update
  • Review - Canvas Beauty Hair Growth Serum RESULTS| 30 Day Challenge Results

LearnDash videos

LEARNDASH | LearnDash Review 2020

More videos:

  • Review - LearnDash v3 Review & First Look - Why It's The Best WordPress Learning Management System Now
  • Review - LearnDash Review - Pros, Cons, Comparisons - Most In-Depth Learning Management System Review

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Canvas by Instructure and LearnDash)
Education
85 85%
15% 15
LMS
68 68%
32% 32
Online Education
100 100%
0% 0
Other Education Tech
100 100%
0% 0

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Canvas by Instructure and LearnDash

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LearnDash Reviews

9 Teachable Alternatives in 2024 Ranked
Most users enjoy the solid features and options LearnDash allows for customization. However, many reviewers warn that it does take a high level of technical expertise to be able to set it up and run. For those comfortable with WordPress and needing a highly customizable solution, LearnDash could be the right solution.
Source: teach.io
8 best Teachable alternatives for course creators (Features & pricing)
LearnDash downsides: You need a WordPress site to use LearnDash, which means paying for web hosting and a domain in addition to LearnDash and dealing with WordPressโ€™s steep learning curve. To make the most of LearnDash, you should be familiar with WordPress and comfortable connecting multiple plugins and integrations. You might also want to hire a developer or web designer...
Source: www.podia.com
Top 11 Thinkific Alternatives for Online course Creators in 2023
LearnDash is one of the best Thinkific Alternatives. However, LearnDash is nothing but a WordPress plugin. So if you have a website with a WordPress theme, it is the best choice to select LearnDash rather than Thinkific.
The Future of Learning Management Systems: Best Providers
There are a lot of Fortune 500 companies and big universities using LearnDash. Itโ€™s fast, itโ€™s got a lot of features, and the online course design is impressive. WordPress sites can be made into online learning platforms by using LearnDash.
Top 11 Best Kajabi Alternatives To Sell Online Course In 2023
Similar to other Kajabi-compatible platforms, LearnDash also automatically contacts students depending on their most recent activity. You may also develop discussion boards on your website using LearnDash to give students a stimulating environment.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Canvas by Instructure and LearnDash, you can also consider the following products

PowerSchool - PowerSchool provides a K-12 education technology platform for operations, classroom, student growth, and family engagement.

Tutor LMS - Tutor LMS is a powerful plugin for WordPress that enables users to create, manage, and sell courses to generate profit.

Teachable - Create and sell beautiful online courses with the platform used by the best online entrepreneurs to sell $100m+ to over 4 million students worldwide.

LearnPress - LearnPress is a Plugin for WordPress that provides users with the tools to create a full-fledged e-learning Website.

Clever - syncing between education applications for K-12 schools

LearnWorlds - An all-in-one platform to Create, Sell & Market your online courses and provide online training. LearnWorlds empowers online trainers, educators and enterprises to create unique, interactive and social learning experiences.