Canvas LMS vs Forma LMS
Canvas LMS
instructure.comForma LMS
formalms.orgSide by side
| Figure | Canvas LMS | Forma LMS |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 3 | 2 |
| Spec score · Learning Management Systems | 8.6 (#11) | 8.5 (#20) |
| API access | Yes | Yes |
| Assessments | Yes | Built-in assessment features manage scores and prerequisites, and the platform can automatically generate PDF certificates with customizable templates. |
| Founded | 2008 | 2017 |
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| Integrations | Canvas advertises integration with more than 1,000 external tools through open technology and standards. | Native integration options include an API, single sign-on, LDAP authentication, and scheduled CSV import and export tasks. |
| License | Canvas LMS source code is released under the GNU Affero General Public License version 3. | The association statute says Forma LMS is distributed under the GNU General Public License. |
| SSO support | Yes | Yes |
Plans
Canvas LMS
- Canvas CorePriced on request
- Canvas NextPriced on request
- Canvas PlusPriced on request
In their own words
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.