Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Canvas by Instructure VS Open Elms

Compare Canvas by Instructure VS Open Elms 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!

Open Elms logo Open Elms

Open Elms: e-learning Learning Management System for Business
  • Canvas by Instructure Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-11
  • Open Elms Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-26

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.

Open Elms features and specs

  • Open Source
    Open Elms is an open-source Learning Management System (LMS), which allows users to access, modify, and distribute the source code freely. This flexibility can lead to significant cost savings and adaptability to specific user needs.
  • Customizability
    The platform can be tailored to fit the specific requirements of an organization, from branding to functionality, allowing for a highly personalized learning experience.
  • Community Support
    Being open-source, Open Elms benefits from a community of users and developers who contribute to its improvement, providing support and enhancements.
  • Cost-Effective
    The absence of licensing fees makes Open Elms a cost-effective option for organizations looking to implement an LMS without significant upfront investment.

Possible disadvantages of Open Elms

  • Technical Expertise Required
    Implementing and maintaining Open Elms may require a certain level of technical know-how, which can be a barrier for organizations without dedicated IT resources.
  • Limited Vendor Support
    Unlike commercial LMS options, Open Elms may not have official vendor support, making it challenging for organizations that require assured support services.
  • Potential for Security Vulnerabilities
    As with many open-source platforms, there is a risk of security vulnerabilities if the system is not regularly updated and maintained.
  • Customization Costs
    While highly customizable, significant modifications may require hiring developers, potentially leading to higher costs than anticipated.

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.

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

Open Elms videos

Apprentix/Open Elms Review Learning Resources Walkthrough

More videos:

  • Review - Apprentix/Open Elms Review Learning Programmes Walkthrough
  • Review - Open eLMS Creator

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Canvas by Instructure and Open Elms)
Education
93 93%
7% 7
LMS
75 75%
25% 25
Online Education
100 100%
0% 0
Other Education Tech
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

Share your experience with using Canvas by Instructure and Open Elms. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

What are some alternatives?

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

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

LMS Collaborator - LMS Collaborator is a state-of-the-art learning management system designed to meet the need for corporate training, upskilling, and evaluation with flexible integration abilities.

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.

Sakai - Historically, the community has aligned around a single project, the Sakai Collaboration and...

Clever - syncing between education applications for K-12 schools

FormaLms - Forma Lms is an open-source, web-based elearning platform (Learning Management System - LMS), used...