Blackboard Learn vs LAMS
Blackboard Learn
blackboard.comLAMS
lamsfoundation.orgSide by side
| Figure | Blackboard Learn | LAMS |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 2 |
| Spec score · Education Learning Management | 8.1 (#6) | 7.5 (#12) |
| Spec score · Learning Management Systems | 8.1 (#43) | 7.3 (#92) |
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| Headquarters | Boca Raton, Florida, United States | Macquarie University, New South Wales, Australia |
| 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. | The maker lists integrations for Moodle, Sakai, Blackboard/WebCT, .LRN, Microsoft SharePoint, and Tiger Online Training LMS. |
| Purpose | Blackboard LMS provides an institutional learning environment with AI, accessibility, and personalized learning at its core. | LAMS is a tool for designing, managing, and delivering online collaborative learning activities. |
| Support | Blackboard provides a Help Center with product documentation and guides, support cases and knowledge base articles for users, and a developer community with documentation. | LAMS International offers training, technical support, software updates and upgrades, hosting, and software development services. |
Plans
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.
LAMS
LAMS is an open-source system for designing, managing and delivering collaborative online learning activities. Teachers create activity sequences in a visual authoring environment, while separate Author, Monitor and Learner areas support creation, oversight and participation. It can run as a standalone e-learning system or connect with an LMS. Listed integrations include Moodle, Sakai, Blackboard/WebCT, .LRN, Microsoft SharePoint and Tiger Online Training LMS, with options for single sign-on and automatic course and user creation from LMS information. LAMS supports multimedia content, interactive activities, branching paths, live lesson delivery and learner analytics. Version 2.2 supports exporting in IMS Learning Design Level A format. Released under the GPL, it is available as a free download when users install, configure and maintain it themselves under the license. LAMS International offers support, hosting, training, updates, upgrades and development services. The maker describes use in K–12, vocational, higher and adult or community education. Commercial services and licensing have no listed fees.