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Canvas LMS by Instructure is an open-source Learning Management System primarily tailored for K-12 and Higher Education institutions but also for companies of all sizes and industries.
The platform supports different training delivery methods via integrations with video conferencing and collaboration tools, such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Classroom, and Adobe. Therefore it’s suitable whether you want to offer self-paced, synchronous, or blended/hybrid learning.
The platform boasts robust communication tools, including instant messaging, group chatting, audio notes, and video capabilities. Additionally, it incorporates an advanced grading system and gradebook to streamline the assessment process.
With Canvas Catalog, you can effortlessly create a professional, branded marketplace utilizing pre-designed templates. This feature allows you to list and sell online courses categorized by department, organization, or team.
Other Canvas LMS features that stand out are its clean User Interface, accessibility features, certificate builder, easy self-registration, customized dashboards, real-time reports, and LTI (Learning Tools Interoperability) function. It also offers mobile apps for access on the go.
This all sounds good, right? So, why look for an alternative?
👎What we won’t like about Canvas LMS
Although Canvas LMS is indisputably a versatile LMS, it comes with several shortcomings that will make you think twice before investing in it.
If you’re looking for an LMS that will not give you technical headaches, we have some more intuitive platforms to suggest.
LearnWorlds is a flexible cloud-based platform catering to all aspects of an eLearning program, from course creation to training delivery and monitoring. From employee onboarding to compliance training, upskilling, and customer education, our platform seamlessly addresses diverse corporate training needs. Even deskless employees can enjoy a smooth learning experience through our native mobile app.
Our AI assistant (featuring more than 200+ pre-built prompts!) and built-in authoring tool empower you to craft engaging training modules with interactive content effortlessly. Enrich your course with videos, eBooks, PDFs, quizzes, self-assessments, certificates, and much more!
Moreover, tracking online training progress is made simple with real-time metrics, allowing you to monitor employee advancement at any given moment. Discover the various options LearnWorlds offers to oversee training progress and overall training status within your company.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- AI assistant with built-in prompts
- SCORM compliant
- Highly customizable design
- Website builder
- Interactive content
- Built-in authoring tool
- Fully white labeled
- Native mobile apps
- Robust reporting
- Efficient administration: multiple automations & bulk actions
- Custom user roles & permissions
- Multiple schools
- Exams, self-assessments, surveys & certificates
- Built-in community with groups, discussion boards, and more
- eCommerce ready
Cons
- Limited gamification
- No content library
- Slight learning curve
Pricing
LearnWorlds offers a 30-day free trial and the following pricing plans:
💁For more information about feature availability per plan, visit our website.
Tovuti LMS is a modern learning solution for training employees, customers, or partners. It offers versatile course authoring tools for creating over 40 interactive, gamified content types. With features like whiteboards, screen sharing, and session recording, it ensures engaging online sessions. Learners also have access to personalized portals, transcripts, and social networking capabilities.
Tovuti prioritizes security with regular updates and allows for customizable user groups and permissions. Detailed reports on learner behavior and course performance aid decision-making, while the Team Lead Dashboard facilitates reporting and communication through direct messaging. It also offers a content library with ready-made content and a mobile app.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Intuitive, elegant UI
- Content library
- Built-in course authoring
- AI assistant
Cons
- A bit expensive
- Slow customer support
- Initial learning curve
- Needs more robust reporting
Pricing
Tovuti LMS charges a setup fee of $2500. The pricing is calculated based on the number of users in tandem with the length of the contract.
* Pricing information retrieved from Tovuti LMS on February 27, 2024.
Blackboard Learn is a versatile LMS and one of the longest-standing providers of online learning for both educational institutions and businesses. The platform offers multiple online collaboration features, forums, virtual classrooms, AI Design Assistant for course creation, and rich assessments.
It also integrates with accessibility tools to ensure you create an inclusive learning environment. Although content management is easy, some reviews mention the platform’s design is outdated, and some admin tasks need too many steps to be completed.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- User-friendly
- Promotes social learning
- AI-powered
- Robust assessment engine
Cons
- Limited reporting
- Outdated design
- Occasional technical glitches
- Inconsistent mobile app performance
Pricing
Blackboard Learn offers a 30-day free trial. Pricing available upon request.
TalentLMS is a versatile, user-friendly LMS with built-in content authoring, an AI assistant, and TalentLibrary, a regularly updated content repository with animated characters. The platform features gamification features to enhance engagement, although its community feature is rather limited.
TalentLMS allows for customizable learning paths and rich assessments, and provides comprehensive insights with customizable reports. Other features include user roles and permissions, automated tasks like course management and email communications, and white label mobile app.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- AI-powered
- Content library
- Advanced gamification
- Robust reporting
Cons
- Limited assessments
- Outdated UI
- User limits per plan
- Technical issues setting up integrations
Pricing
All TalentLMS pricing plans come with user limits. The platform doesn’t offer a free trial, but they do offer a free plan that allows for up to 5 users and 10 courses.
Standard plans (based on the number of registered users) include:
Active plans (based on the number of active users) include:
* Pricing information retrieved from TalentLMS on February 27, 2024.
Moodle LMS (Moodle Workplace) is a flexible SaaS LMS with multiple built-in add-ons. It additionally offers integrations with both open-source and premium third-party tools to enhance its functionality. Furthermore, it seamlessly integrates with libraries of ready-made learning programs.
Moodle allows you to create multiple fully branded environments, coupled with robust user management, task automations, and permission controls. Advanced reporting capabilities and intuitive meeting scheduling are also available. Moodle is highly focused on quality learning experiences. Therefore, it offers rich assessments, gradebook management, and the issuance of badges and diplomas.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Highly customizable
- Multiple automations available
- Advanced security features
- Content library
Cons
- Outdated & complex UI
- Learning curve
- No AI course creation
- Slow loading times & glitches
Pricing
Moodle offers a free trial and 1 pricing edition that costs $130.
* Pricing information retrieved from Moodle on February 27, 2024.
D2L Brightspace boasts an intuitive UI and an easy-to-use AI-powered content editor. It allows for personalized custom learning paths and is compliant with accessibility standards for inclusive experiences. It features several integrations to facilitate data flow among your systems.
It also offers custom reports and dashboards, ready-made courses, gamification elements and certificates, and access to in-house experts for skills mapping and course creation.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Intuitive content management
- Rich learning features
- Highly customizable
- Pleasant UI
Cons
- Lacks detailed support documentation
- Initial learning curve
- Cumbersome configuration
- Navigation for admins can be tricky
Pricing
Available upon request.
LearnDash is a WordPress LMS plugin that enables you to connect your online academy to your existing website. It offers rich educational features like drip-fed content, learner assessments and knowledge checkpoints after each session, certificates and badges, progress bars, and Focus Mode to allow for a distraction-free learning environment.
LearnDash additionally integrates with multiple add-ons to supercharge its original functionality. Notable disadvantages, however, include hidden costs that come with add-ons and the fact that it requires some level of tech knowledge to install and maintain.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Rich learning features
- Highly customizable
- Intuitive course builder
- Focus mode
Cons
- Needs technical knowledge
- Hidden costs due to add-ons (eg., SCORM)
- Limited design customization
- Lacks robust reporting
Pricing
LearnDash comes with three basic subscription plans. The only difference between them is the number of site licenses that come with each one:
* Pricing information retrieved from LearnDash on February 27, 2024.
Open EdX is an open-source LMS, with rich learning features. The platform is highly customizable, offering multiple integrations. The platform supports several types of content and is SCORM-compliant. It features course forums to promote collaboration but offers no further opportunities for interaction.
Overall, the platform is much easier for front users than admins. It requires some level of tech-savviness to set up, which makes it less intuitive than other options on this list. However, it features extensive documentation and a supportive community to find solutions to technical issues that may arise. Users also mention that the platform is reliable, stable, and secure.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Free
- Modern User Interface
- Highly customizable
- Supports LTI
Cons
- Requires coding knowledge
- Hard to set up and configure
- Limited interactive activities
- Manual registrations only
Pricing
Open EdX is free to use.
CYPHER Learning is an intuitive LMS that focuses on delivering collaborative and engaging learning experiences with features like chats, forums, wikis, mass alerts, and a full array of gamification elements. The platform features an AI content assistant to speed up course creation.
CYPHER Learning also has a robust report system with real-time analytics, dashboard widgets, and compliance management tracking. It features several automations and a powerful AI-powered assessment builder.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- AI-powered
- Multiple automations
- Social and gamified learning
- Robust assessments
Cons
- Learning curve
- A bit expensive
- Needs more robust reporting
- Admin UI is a bit confusing
Pricing
Available upon request.
The Rockstar Learning platform by ELB Learning is an LMS/LXP that focuses on the creation of microlearning learning content for mobile consumption. Its microlearning module builder enables you to create videos on the spot. The platform also enables you to import user-generated content through social channels and supports integrations for polls, discussions, and video conferencing.
Rockstar Learning Platform supports auto-enrolment and recurring training, offers an in-depth reporting system, and custom user roles, and has an open API for further integrations. Nonetheless, the platform is a bit complex to set up and requires multiple integrations to enrich its functionalities.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Native video authoring
- Multilingual learner UI
- Easy integration of user-generated content
- White-labeled
Cons
- Limited assessments
- Requires multiple integrations
- A bit expensive
- Complex set up
Pricing
Available upon request.
We’ve seen some excellent alternatives to Canvas LMS. Some score higher in terms of User Interface intuitiveness, others in ease of course creation… it all depends on what you’re looking for.
If you want a Learning Management System that has it all, try LearnWorlds. LearnWorlds enables you to build or import rich interactive content and diverse learning activities that engage learners, a powerful AI assistant that helps create or repurpose existing content, detailed reporting, advanced assessments, and so much more you simply need to see for yourself.
Start your 30-day free trial now!
Androniki Koumadoraki
Androniki is a Content Writer at LearnWorlds sharing Instructional Design and marketing tips. With solid experience in B2B writing and technical translation, she is passionate about learning and spreading knowledge. She is also an aspiring yogi, a book nerd, and a talented transponster.
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