Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Google Classroom VS Moodle

Compare Google Classroom VS Moodle and see what are their differences

Google Classroom logo Google Classroom

Learning management tool by Google

Moodle logo Moodle

Moodle is the world's most popular learning management system. Start creating your online learning site in minutes!
  • Google Classroom Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-17
  • Moodle Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-12

ย  www.moodle.comSoftware by Moodle

Moodle

Website
moodle.com
Release Date
2002 January
Startup details
Country
Australia
City
Perth
Founder(s)
Martin Dougiamas
Employees
10 - 19

Google Classroom features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    Google Classroom offers an intuitive and user-friendly interface, making it easy for both teachers and students to navigate and use.
  • Integration with Google Apps
    Google Classroom seamlessly integrates with other Google Apps such as Google Docs, Google Drive, and Google Meet, offering a unified platform for educational activities.
  • Cost-Effective
    Google Classroom is free to use, making it an attractive option for schools with limited budgets.
  • Accessibility
    Google Classroom can be accessed from any device with internet connectivity, allowing students and teachers to engage from various locations.

Possible disadvantages of Google Classroom

  • Limited LMS Features
    Compared to more robust Learning Management Systems (LMS), Google Classroom may lack some advanced features like detailed analytics and extensive customization options.
  • Dependency on Internet
    An active internet connection is essential to access Google Classroom, which could be a limitation for students in areas with unstable internet availability.
  • Data Privacy Concerns
    As with all cloud-based platforms, there are concerns related to the privacy and security of data stored on Google Classroom.
  • Limited Offline Capability
    While Google Classroom offers some offline features, the functionality is considerably limited when compared to what is available online.

Moodle features and specs

  • Open Source
    Moodle is an open-source platform, which means it's free to use and can be customized extensively to meet the specific needs of educators and students.
  • Customizability
    With a wide range of plugins and themes, Moodle can be tailored to fit a variety of educational settings and purposes.
  • Scalability
    Moodle is designed to support both small classrooms and large institutions, making it a flexible option for various sizes of educational organizations.
  • Active Community
    The Moodle community is large and active, providing a wealth of resources, forums, and support for users around the globe.
  • Comprehensive Features
    Moodle offers a robust set of features including quizzes, forums, assignments, grading, and more, covering all aspects of the learning process.
  • Multilingual
    Moodle supports multiple languages, making it accessible to students and teachers worldwide.

Possible disadvantages of Moodle

  • Complex Setup
    Setting up and configuring Moodle can be complex and may require technical expertise, which can be a barrier for smaller institutions with limited IT resources.
  • Steep Learning Curve
    The vast array of features and customization options can make Moodle difficult to learn for new users without proper training.
  • Performance Issues
    Without proper optimization, Moodle can face performance issues, especially for very large installations with numerous users and courses.
  • Dependency on Plugins
    While plugins add to the functionality of Moodle, they can also lead to compatibility issues and may require regular updates and maintenance.
  • User Interface
    Some users find the Moodle interface to be less intuitive and dated compared to newer LMS platforms, which can affect user experience.
  • Hosting Costs
    Although Moodle itself is free, hosting a large-scale Moodle environment can incur significant costs, including server space and potential third-party support services.

Analysis of Google Classroom

Overall verdict

  • Google Classroom is generally considered a good platform for educational purposes, offering a streamlined and user-friendly interface for both educators and students.

Why this product is good

  • Google Classroom facilitates easy management of assignments, instant communication, and collaboration between teachers and students. Its integration with other Google services like Google Drive, Docs, and Calendar enhances its functionality and provides a comprehensive suite for educational tasks. It's accessible on multiple devices, making it versatile for diverse classroom environments.

Recommended for

  • Teachers looking for an easy-to-use platform to distribute assignments
  • Students who prefer a digital organization of their coursework
  • Schools seeking a cost-effective and scalable learning management system
  • Educational institutions that already utilize Google's ecosystem of tools
  • Home-school educators and learners looking for collaborative educational tools

Analysis of Moodle

Overall verdict

  • Moodle is a good choice for educational institutions seeking a versatile and customizable LMS solution, particularly those with specific needs that require flexible adaptation.

Why this product is good

  • Moodle is a highly flexible learning management system (LMS) that allows for customization and scalability, making it suitable for various educational settings.
  • It is open-source, which means it can be freely distributed and modified, allowing institutions to tailor it to their specific needs.
  • Moodle supports a wide variety of plugins and themes, enriching the learning experience with additional functionalities and a customized look.
  • It has a large, active community that contributes to its continuous improvement and provides extensive resources and support.
  • Moodle provides robust tracking and reporting features that help educators monitor student progress and engagement effectively.

Recommended for

  • Schools and universities looking to implement or enhance their digital learning environments.
  • Organizations seeking a cost-effective LMS solution, thanks to its open-source nature.
  • Educators who want a platform with a vast selection of plugins and the ability to customize to fit specific learning requirements.
  • Training departments in organizations looking for a learning platform that can grow and adapt as training needs change.

Google Classroom videos

Getting Started with Google Classroom | EDTech Made Easy - GOOGLE CLASSROOM TUTORIAL

More videos:

  • Tutorial - Google Classroom Tips and Tricks for Teachers | EDTech Made Easy - GOOGLE CLASSROOM TUTORIAL
  • Review - Google Classroom Review

Moodle videos

Moodle 3.7 Overview

More videos:

  • Review - MOODLE Review en Espaรฑol 2018 Plataforma LMS. Programas ELEARNING #6
  • Review - Moodle 3.5 Overview
  • Review - ๐ŸŽ“ What is Moodle LMS?
  • Review - Moodle Review: There are far better options available
  • Review - Moodle Review: You get what you pay for

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Google Classroom and Moodle)
Education
21 21%
79% 79
Online Learning
21 21%
79% 79
LMS
25 25%
75% 75
Education & Reference
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 Google Classroom and Moodle

Google Classroom Reviews

10 Best Google Classroom Alternatives: Which Should You Choose?
Microsoft Teams for Education is a great Google Classroom alternative for courses that require both teacher-to-student and peer-to-peer activities. So if your e-Learning storyboard includes points where students need to work in groups, this LMS by Microsoft works great. Itโ€™s an organized way of tracking assignments while staying on top of your progress. Finally, it offers...
Top 15 educational software to streamline the learning process
This kind of software can assist teachers in organizing the classroom and enhance communication, behavior tracking, lesson planning, and student involvement. A good example is Google Classroom, which facilitates efficient content delivery, assignment submission, and communication between teachers and students.
10 Best Moodle Alternatives to Jumpstart Your Courses
Google Classroom is a learning management system designed to simplify the process of exchanging educational materials and assignments between teachers and students. By incorporating this Google product, teachers and students can connect, collaborate, and manage assignments remotely without having to attend physical educational institutions.
Source: sendpulse.com
10 Best EdApp Alternatives in 2024 | LMS & Online Courses
Google Classroom is an educational technology platform developed by Google, part of the Google Workspace for Education suite. It streamlines the process of sharing files between teachers and students. It facilitates a digital classroom environment. Key functionalities include the ability to create, distribute, and grade assignments.
Source: cloudassess.com
The 10 Best Moodle Alternatives & Competitors (Updated for 2024)
Google Classroom is a great Moodle alternative for collaborative learning, especially for those working with Google Workspace tools.
Source: www.docebo.com

Moodle Reviews

  1. Larry
    ยท Manager at Site data.org ยท
    Great open source elearning

    Customizable, highly extensible, frequently updated/patched, established community support.

    ๐Ÿ Competitors: Canvas LMS
    ๐Ÿ‘ Pros:    Data protection and security|No sign up cost
    ๐Ÿ‘Ž Cons:    No customer support!|Takes time to setup interface

10 Best Google Classroom Alternatives: Which Should You Choose?
Not every Google Classroom alternative has to cost money. After all, Google doesnโ€™t charge for its software. Thatโ€™s one of the reasons why Moodle is a favorite among people who are just starting out. This platform is free to use and highly customizable. Moreover, itโ€™s vetted by Forbes as the best open-source learning management system. The software is highly viable and...
10 Best Moodle Alternatives to Jumpstart Your Courses
However, focusing solely on Moodle may limit your opportunities and hinder your ability to explore other powerful platforms. In this blog post, weโ€™ll introduce you to the best alternatives to Moodle that might better match your requirements, budget, and other crucial factors.
Source: sendpulse.com
10 Best EdApp Alternatives in 2024 | LMS & Online Courses
Moodle supports a range of learning methodologies with features like course management, online quizzes, forums, and file uploads. Its adaptability allows for integration with numerous plugins and third-party applications for extra functionality. Key strengths include its scalability, catering to both small classes and large organisations, and the ability to create...
Source: cloudassess.com
10 Best Moodle Alternatives in 2024
While it is a highly flexible platform, setting Moodle up is tricky. Often, trained software developers are required to make the most of it. Youโ€™ll also need to arrange server hosting or opt for Moodleโ€™s added hosting service.
Source: cloudassess.com
The 10 Best Moodle Alternatives & Competitors (Updated for 2024)
Pricing: As an open-source system, Moodle is free up-front but can still cost users, particularly since it generally requires an in-house team of IT specialists who know how to manage it. When choosing an alternative, consider each toolโ€™s pricing model and ensure it aligns with your budget and doesnโ€™t include any hidden fees.
Source: www.docebo.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Moodle might be a bit more popular than Google Classroom. We know about 1 link to it since March 2021 and only 1 link to Google Classroom. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Google Classroom mentions (1)

  • Gmail account security is insane
    This is enlightening. I do see they have a marketing / landing page which makes me feel there is a product charter beyond half-a-SWE: https://edu.google.com/products/classroom/. - Source: Hacker News / over 3 years ago

Moodle mentions (1)

  • Looking for Quiz/Testing application
    Moodle can handle this but it might be overkill for your requirements. Once you have it setup though the quiz feature is really great, and the analytics it provides are awesome. Source: over 2 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Google Classroom and Moodle, you can also consider the following products

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

Adobe Learning Manager - Adobe Learning Manager (formerly Adobe Captivate Prime LMS) is easy to setup and helps in delivering engaging learning experiences in a personalized manner across devices.

edX - Best Courses. Top Institutions. Learn anytime, anywhere.

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.

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

Treehouse - Treehouse is an award-winning online platform that teaches people how to code.