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Blackboard LMS is a flexible Learning Management System known for its long-standing presence in online learning for higher education and businesses. With features like online collaboration, forums, virtual classrooms, and integration with video conferencing tools, it offers rich learning experiences based on social learning. It also works well with accessibility tools to ensure everyone can participate.
Blackboard Learn has a robust assessment engine, supports multiple content types, and is SCORM compliant. It also features an AI Design Assistant, so you can build your courses faster. Learners can build their profiles to monitor their learning history, while admins can group users into categories based on diverse criteria, such as skills or departments.
Blackboard LMS excels at providing a collaborative learning environment, but it lacks other aspects that may be important for your business. That’s why we have created this list of the top 7 Blackboard LMS alternatives—to enable you to review more options that may fit your specific needs better.
Pricing
Blackboard Learn offers a 30-day free trial. Pricing is available upon request.
👎What we don’t like about Blackboard LMS
While Blackboard Learn is a feature-rich LMS, it has some limitations and performance issues.
❌Limited reporting
❌Limited customization
❌Learning curve
❌Outdated design
❌Occasional technical glitches
❌Inconsistent mobile app performance
❌Complicated administration
7 Best Blackboard Learn Alternatives
Let’s see the top LMS providers that offer similar but better features than Blackboard Learn.
1. LearnWorlds – Our Top Choice 🔥
LearnWorlds is a versatile cloud-based platform that helps you create, deliver, and monitor training in a fully branded and modern learning environment. Our platform covers diverse training needs, like new employee onboarding, compliance training, skills training, and customer education. Our native mobile app ensures that even deskless employees have access to your training programs.
LearnWorlds is SCORM-compliant and supports multimedia, video, eBooks, assessments and self-assessments, podcasts, certificates, and other content. With our one-of-a-kind AI assistant (with over 200 pre-built prompts!) and our built-in authoring tool, you can easily create engaging and effective training modules and courses that address skills gaps in your company.
Our learning platform offers real-time metrics that include both course performance and learner progress, so you be on top of the training status in your company anytime, anywhere. If you want to monetize your training courses, LearnWorlds is eCommerce-ready and features modern, customizable templates to help you build your own “market front” to sell your courses.
Overall, LearnWorlds is a cost-effective e-learning solution that offers efficient user and content management software.
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, branded mobile apps
- Robust reporting
- Efficient administration: multiple automations & bulk actions
- Advanced security features & GDPR compliance
- Custom user roles & permissions
- Multiple schools
- Exams, self-assessments, surveys & certificates
- Built-in community with groups, discussion boards, and more
- eCommerce ready
- Top-notch customer support
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.
2. Moodle
Moodle LMS (Moodle Workplace) is a highly customizable LMS with a plethora of built-in add-ons and integrates with open-source and premium third-party tools, including libraries with ready-made training courses from reliable content providers.
On the admin side, Moodle offers robust user management, task automation, and permission controls. It also boasts advanced reporting features and intuitive meeting scheduling. Known for its commitment to quality learning experiences, Moodle offers comprehensive assessments, gradebook management, and the ability to issue badges and diplomas.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Customizable
- Highly automated
- Built-in content library
- Regularly updated
- Promotes learner interactions
Cons
- Not very intuitive
- Requires technical expertise
- No AI course creation
- Slow loading times & glitches
- Limited reporting
Pricing
Moodle offers a free trial and 1 pricing edition that costs $130.
3. Canvas LMS
Canvas LMS by Instructure is a versatile open-source Learning Management System ideal for K-12, Higher Education institutions, and businesses of all sizes and industries. It supports various training delivery methods, including self-paced, synchronous, and blended learning. It integrates with video conferencing tools like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Classroom, and Adobe.
Canvas LMS stands out for its communication tools, LTI function, advanced grading capabilities, and accessibility options that offer an inclusive learning experience. The Canvas Catalog allows you to create a professional, branded marketplace to sell online courses. Other standout features include its uncluttered User Interface, certificate builder, powerful reporting with interactive data visualizations, and mobile apps.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Robust security features
- Rich communication tools
- Clean User Interface
- Advanced assessment system
- Supports multimedia and interactive learning
Cons
- Occasional performance issues
- Difficulty integrating with third-party tools
- No AI
- Confusing navigation for admins
- Limited quiz functionality
Pricing
Available upon request.
4. Google Classroom
Google Classroom is a web-based learning platform with a user-friendly interface that additionally integrates with all Google Apps. It helps streamline communication and share documents and videos. Learners can also collaborate on documents in real time and access course materials anytime, even offline (for some functionalities). The mobile-friendly design ensures accessibility for learning on the go.
However, Google Classroom lacks advanced features and is, therefore, best suited for educational institutions and businesses without major training requirements. It can’t support complex course-building or advanced assessments, and its data analysis capabilities are also basic.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Free to use
- Easy to use
- Streamlines communication
- Mobile friendly
- Accessibility features
Cons
- Limited content types supported
- Limited feedback options
- Lacks engagement features
- Limited reporting
- Security concerns
Pricing
Google Classroom is free to use.
5. D2L Brightspace
D2L Brightspace features an intuitive UI and an AI-powered content editor for easy customization. It enables personalized learning paths and complies with accessibility standards for inclusivity. With various integrations, data flow among your systems is seamless.
Additionally, D2L Brightspace provides custom reports, ready-made courses, gamification elements, certificates, and access to in-house experts for skills mapping and course creation. However, some users mention that the UI and mobile app are not very user-friendly. Additionally, it lacks customization and scalability options, which might be an issue for large institutions.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- AI-powered
- Detailed reporting
- Seamless integrations
- Social learning
- Accessibility features
Cons
- A bit expensive
- Learning curve
- Limited design customization
- Limited mobile app functionality
- Performance issues with large user bases
Pricing
Available upon request.
6. Sakai
Sakai is an open-source LMS with rich functionality and customization capabilities through its multiple plugins and Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI). Sakai boasts a robust feature set for online course management and collaboration tools like forums, email, and chat. Learners can showcase their work through ePortfolios, while instructors track performance with a built-in gradebook.
On the downside. setting up and maintaining Sakai requires technical expertise while ths UI is also a bit dated and data analysis capabilities are rather basic. Since it’s an open-source platform, it is also more susceptible to security threats compared to other LMSs.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Free to use
- Highly customizable
- Collaborative learning
- Supportive community
- Regular updates
Cons
- Learning curve
- Not intuitive
- Requires technical expertise
- Limited reporting
- Security concerns
Pricing
Sakai is free to use.
7. TalentLMS
TalentLMS is a versatile and user-friendly LMS that offers positive user experiences. It’s equipped with built-in content authoring, an AI assistant, and TalentLibrary, a content repository featuring animated characters. While the platform offers gamification features to boost engagement, its community feature is somewhat limited.
TalentLMS supports customizable learning paths and rich assessments, along with comprehensive insights provided by customizable reports. Additional features include user roles and permissions, automated tasks such as course management and email communications, and a white-label mobile app.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Intuitive interface
- Built-in content library
- AI-powered
- Detailed reporting
- Advanced gamification
Cons
- Limited design customization
- User limits per plan
- Technical issues with integrations
- Limited course editing tools
- Needs more robust assessment builder
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:
Which Blackboard Alternative Caught Your Attention?
Blackboard LMS has withstood the test of time and, with its rich collaborative tools and accessibility features, is definitely a reliable platform for delivering online training. That said, the LMS market offers a plethora of options with engaging features and higher ease of use.
LearnWorlds stands out as the most feature-rich LMS that supports interactive, social learning experiences while offering in-depth reporting and robust assessments. Ηighly customizable and scalable, LearnWorlds is the platform that can support your training needs as your business grows.
Try LearnWorlds with a 30-day free trial now!
Further reading
- 100+ Elearning Statistics, Facts and Trends
- The 19 Best Learning Management Systems
- SCORM 101: The Definitive Guide to Choose a SCORM Compliant LMS
- What is an LMS (Learning Management System)?
- Designing A Training Program: How to Boost Employee Performance With eLearning
- 7 Brilliant Ways to Use an LMS for Upskilling and Training
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.