Canvas LMS vs LAMS

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.

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.