Blackboard Learn vs Canvas LMS
Blackboard Learn
blackboard.comCanvas LMS
instructure.comSide by side
| Figure | Blackboard Learn | Canvas LMS |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | — |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 3 |
| Spec score · Education Learning Management | 8.1 (#6) | 8.5 (#3) |
| Spec score · Education software | 8.0 (#9) | 8.4 (#5) |
| Spec score · Educational Software | 8.1 (#9) | 8.4 (#6) |
| Spec score · Learning Management Systems | 8.1 (#43) | 8.6 (#11) |
| Spec score · E-Learning Software | 8.0 (#14) | 8.4 (#9) |
| API access | Yes | Yes |
| Assessments | Yes | Yes |
| Founded | 1997 | 2008 |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Headquarters | Boca Raton, Florida, United States | Salt Lake City, Utah, USA |
| Integrations | The LMS connects with EdTech tools through LTI 1.3 and REST APIs, including Turnitin, VitalSource, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and most SIS platforms; custom integrations are supported through the Partner Network. | Canvas advertises integration with more than 1,000 external tools through open technology and standards. |
| Mobile app | Blackboard Help documents Blackboard apps for iOS and Android, while noting that some course content and third-party tools may have limited or unsupported app functionality. | Yes |
| SSO support | Yes | Yes |
Plans
Canvas LMS
- Canvas CorePriced on request
- Canvas NextPriced on request
- Canvas PlusPriced on request
In their own words
Blackboard Learn
Blackboard Learn, now referred to as Blackboard LMS, is an institutional learning environment for higher education, government, business, and K-12 organizations. Its AI Design Assistant can help instructors prepare courses, documents, assessments, and grading rubrics. AI Conversation supports practical-skills assessment in a controlled digital environment and is included in the core license. Administrators choose which AI capabilities are active, while instructors can review and edit AI outputs before accepting them. Blackboard says student data is not used to train external AI models. The LMS connects with education tools through LTI 1.3 and REST APIs, including Turnitin, VitalSource, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and most SIS platforms. Blackboard Ally creates alternative formats for learners. It is available on Android, iOS, and web, with API access, assessments, and SSO support. Pricing is on request; the product page offers a demo and contact option but displays no price.
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.