Adapt Learning vs Canvas LMS
Adapt Learning
adaptlearning.orgCanvas LMS
instructure.comSide by side
| Figure | Adapt Learning | Canvas LMS |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 2 | 3 |
| Spec score · E-Learning Software | 9.0 (#1) | 8.4 (#9) |
| Assessments | Assessment features include question banks, randomized questions and configurable feedback. | Yes |
| Founded | LinkedIn states that the Adapt open-source project was established in 2013. | 2008 |
| Rating on G2 | 3.5 out of 5 from 1 review | 4.5 out of 5 from 1,839 reviews. |
| Self-hosting | The authoring tool is a server-based Node.js web application using Backbone.js and MongoDB, so organizations can run it themselves. | The public Canvas LMS repository includes installation guidance for running the AGPLv3 code yourself. |
| What it does | Adapt creates responsive, multi-device HTML5 e-learning courses through a browser-based authoring tool and developer framework. | Canvas is a web-based learning-management system for institutions, educators and students to deliver courses, assess learning, communicate and track achievement. |
Plans
Canvas LMS
- Canvas CorePriced on request
- Canvas NextPriced on request
- Canvas PlusPriced on request
In their own words
Adapt Learning
Adapt Learning is a free e-learning authoring tool and framework for making responsive HTML5 learning content. Course creators can use its no-code authoring tool to build courses, add interactive elements, preview content, and publish without programming. Developers can use the Adapt Framework as an extensible toolkit, with courses delivered from a web server or through a SCORM-compliant learning management system. Framework features include LMS user data, completion tracking, assessments, question banks, randomized questions, and configurable feedback. It supports multiple languages, localization, and right-to-left layouts, and states that it meets WAI AA accessibility standards. The framework includes 22 bundled plugins; additional community plugins include SCORM tracking and xAPI extensions. Installation options include Adapt-CLI, a ZIP download from GitHub, or cloning the repository with Git. Setup requires Git, Node.js and NPM, Grunt-CLI, and Adapt-CLI. Documentation and a technical community forum are available for support. The project relies on collaborator time donations and does not publish specific release schedules.
Canvas LMS
Canvas LMS is a cloud learning management system for creating and delivering courses, assessing learners, providing feedback, communicating with learners, and viewing analytics. Canvas Core includes course creation and delivery, assessment and feedback, essential analytics, and learner communication tools. Canvas Plus adds interactive video through Studio, in-app messaging and engagement through Impact, and advanced analytics. Canvas Next includes Plus capabilities plus IgniteAI Agent for administrators and instructors, IgniteAI Ask Your Data, and IgniteAI Study Tools for learners. The system supports assessments, single sign-on, API access, and a mobile app. Other listed capabilities include digital certificates and badges, public verification, expiry management, custom branding, automatic captions, searchable transcripts, and LMS delivery. Canvas LMS was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. It is a paid cloud service with no free plan; pricing for Canvas Core, Plus, and Next is available on request. Its listed platform is API.