Canvas LMS vs Google Classroom
Canvas LMS
instructure.comGoogle Classroom
edu.google.comSide by side
| Figure | Canvas LMS | Google Classroom |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | $0.25/mo |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 3 | 7 |
| Spec score · Learning Management Systems | 8.6 (#11) | 9.4 (#1) |
| Spec score · Education Learning Management | 8.5 (#3) | 9.2 (#1) |
| Spec score · Education software | 8.4 (#5) | 9.1 (#1) |
| Spec score · Educational Software | 8.4 (#6) | 9.2 (#1) |
| Spec score · E-Learning Software | 8.4 (#9) | 9.0 (#2) |
| API access | Yes | Yes |
| Assessments | Yes | Yes |
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| Integrations | Canvas advertises integration with more than 1,000 external tools through open technology and standards. | Classroom supports EdTech add-ons and SIS connections including Clever, PowerSchool, Infinite Campus, Skyward SMS, Skyward Qmlativ, and Follett Aspen. |
| Mobile app | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile apps | Canvas offers separate Canvas Student, Canvas Teacher and Canvas Parent mobile applications. | The Classroom app is available for iOS and Android. |
| Rating on G2 | 4.5 out of 5 from 1,839 reviews. | 4.5 out of 5 from 1,570 reviews |
| Rating on TrustRadius | 9 out of 10 from 42 ratings. | 8 out of 10 from 282 reviews |
| SSO support | Yes | Yes |
| What it does | Canvas is a web-based learning-management system for institutions, educators and students to deliver courses, assess learning, communicate and track achievement. | Google Classroom organizes classes, assignments, submissions, grading, announcements and student communication online. |
Plans
Canvas LMS
- Canvas CorePriced on request
- Canvas NextPriced on request
- Canvas PlusPriced on request
Google Classroom
- Education Plus$6 a year
- Education FundamentalsFree
- Google Workspace for Education FundamentalsFree
- Education Standard$3 a year
- Teaching and Learning$4 a month
- Education Plus$5 a year
- Google Workspace for Education Plus$6 a year
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.
Google Classroom
Google Classroom is a learning platform where educators can create classes, distribute coursework, and grade student work. Teachers can use customizable rubrics, reusable comment banks, bulk grading, and feedback during students’ work. Originality reports compare submissions with web pages and books; the listed allowance is five reports per class for Education Fundamentals and unlimited reports with peer comparison for Education Plus. Other learning tools include interactive practice sets, Read Along reading feedback, and questions embedded in YouTube videos. Classroom supports EdTech add-ons and connections to student information systems, and institutions can customize it through APIs. It is available on web, Android, and iOS, with support for up to 1,000 learners. Google says the core service has no advertising and personal information is not used or sold for ad targeting. Education Fundamentals is free for qualifying institutions; Education Plus is $6 a year. A 60-day trial is listed.