Google Classroom vs LAMS
Google Classroom
edu.google.comLAMS
lamsfoundation.orgSide by side
| Figure | Google Classroom | LAMS |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $0.25/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 7 | 2 |
| Spec score · Learning Management Systems | 9.4 (#1) | 7.3 (#92) |
| Spec score · Education Learning Management | 9.2 (#1) | 7.5 (#12) |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Integrations | Classroom supports EdTech add-ons and SIS connections including Clever, PowerSchool, Infinite Campus, Skyward SMS, Skyward Qmlativ, and Follett Aspen. | The maker lists integrations for Moodle, Sakai, Blackboard/WebCT, .LRN, Microsoft SharePoint, and Tiger Online Training LMS. |
| Purpose | Google Classroom helps educators create engaging learning experiences they can personalize, manage, and measure. | LAMS is a tool for designing, managing, and delivering online collaborative learning activities. |
| Security and privacy | Google states Classroom has no ads, does not use education content for advertising and does not claim ownership of customer data. | The Foundation's website privacy statement says personal information is shared only with the LAMS Foundation and Macquarie University and is not released to third parties without prior permission, subject to stated legal exceptions. |
| Support | The Classroom Help Center provides role-based guides for students, teachers, leaders and administrators plus community support. | LAMS International offers training, technical support, software updates and upgrades, hosting, and software development services. |
Plans
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
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.
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.