Canvas LMS vs SWAD
Canvas LMS
instructure.comSWAD
swad.ugr.esSide by side
| Figure | Canvas LMS | SWAD |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 3 | 1 |
| Spec score · Learning Management Systems | 8.6 (#11) | 8.1 (#53) |
| Analytics | Course, user and administrative analytics expose learner progress and usage data; Canvas Data Services provides SQL access to user and usage details. | The platform includes system utilization figures, course indicators, surveys and course and global access statistics. |
| API | Canvas provides a REST API for reading and modifying LMS data, using HTTPS, JSON responses and OAuth2 authentication. | The OpenSWAD site provides a SWAD API page with API documentation. |
| API access | Yes | Yes |
| Communication | Inbox, announcements, calendar, syllabus, discussions, chat, collaborations and groups support messaging and interaction. | Communication features include announcements, course notices, discussion forums, internal messaging and email to students. |
| Mobile app | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile apps | Canvas offers separate Canvas Student, Canvas Teacher and Canvas Parent mobile applications. | The UGR site links to Android SWADroid and iOS iSWAD apps. |
| Self-hosting | The public Canvas LMS repository includes installation guidance for running the AGPLv3 code yourself. | SWAD provides source code download and an installation procedure for installing the software. |
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.