Overview: Canvas and Open LMS as Learning Management System Category solutions.

Canvas and Open LMS are both Learning Management Systems, each offering distinct features. Canvas excels in collaboration and content management, supported by comprehensive integration and data handling, making it suitable for education and enterprise sectors. Meanwhile, Open LMS focuses on training and engagement, with a leaner feature set that appeals mainly to educational institutions and smaller businesses. Businesses should consider these strengths when choosing between the tailored approach of Open LMS and the robust flexibility of Canvas.

Canvas: Canvas by Instructure is an education technology company enhancing student success and teaching. Their leading learning management system empowers educators and students alike.

Open LMS: Blackboard-open-lms offers a customizable, flexible, and cost-effective learning management system. It provides 24/7 expert support, top security, and scalability through AWS and Moodle™, being the largest provider with powerful integrations.

Canvas and Open LMS: Best Use cases based on the customer satisfaction data

Key Capabilities Supported

Canvas supports collaboration and communication management, enhancing engagement through content and helpdesk management. read more →

Open LMS supports training, onboarding, and collaboration, with a focus on engagement management for educational settings. read more →

Business Goals

Canvas aims to improve internal communications and digital presence, scaling best practices within enterprises. read more →

Open LMS helps scale best practices and improve efficiency, aligning with simpler internal communication needs. read more →

Core Features

Canvas offers analytics, custom reports, and seamless integration, meeting diverse user needs with robust data import/export. read more →

Open LMS features include integration and custom reports, focusing on essential data handling and analytics for smaller scales. read more →

Vendor Support Preferences

Canvas offers 24/7 support, including chat, phone, and email, prefered by larger enterprises. read more →

Open LMS provides 24/7 email and chat support, catering to smaller teams preferring support through digital channels. read more →

Segments and Industries

Canvas is popular in education and healthcare, serving a wide range of businesses from small to large enterprises. read more →

Open LMS is favored in education and computer software industries, primarily by small to mid-sized businesses. read more →

Operational Alignment

Canvas aligns with complex operational workflows, designed for scalability in large enterprises and education sectors. read more →

Open LMS fits smaller operational environments, suitable for institutions and businesses needing straightforward management tools. read more →

Applying your context and needs changes the comparison

Failure Risk Guidance?

Low Medium High

Compliance Risk

low

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medium

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Security & Privacy Risk

medium

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medium

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Integration Risk

medium

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low

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Migration Risk

medium

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medium

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IT and Other Capabilities

Low
Medium
High

Ease of migration

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Data

Data Import

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Data Export

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Support

Chat Support

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Phone Support

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Email Support

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24/7 Support

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Others

Analytics

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Custom Reports

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AI Powered

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Most deployed common Use Cases for Canvas and Open LMS

How does Canvas and Open LMS facilitate Collaboration?

Canvas and Blackboard Open LMS both support collaboration through features like discussion forums and file sharing. However, Canvas offers more advanced collaboration features, such as virtual meeting rooms and integrated tools for group projects. Blackboard Open LMS excels at facilitating communication and collaboration between teachers and students, as well as among students themselves.

"...This is also excellent for collaboration and troubleshooting, because you are assured that anyone using Canvas has the same version that you do...." Peer review by Melissa Metzger, Director, Academic Technology & Digital Media, University of South Florida, Health Campus

"...The Blackboard Open LMS experience is unique and compatible with learning analytics (IntelliBoard), virtual classrooms (Blackboard Collaborate), open source (Blackboard Open Content), plagiarism prevention (Blackboard SafeAssign), course content accessibility (Blackboard Ally), user management (Genius) and services as Office 365 portfolio, among other tools...." Peer review

What makes Canvas and Open LMS ideal for Training & Onboarding?

Canvas and Blackboard Open LMS both offer online learning opportunities for students and instructors. Canvas provides more flexibility for creating training modules and a more visually stimulating learning experience. Blackboard, on the other hand, is considered easier to use for younger students and provides a more streamlined way to connect educators and students. A limitation of both systems is that some users may not fully utilize the resources available, requiring training programs for faculty.

"...It provides a great environment of online-learning with lecture videos, and, even, of test/quiz platform. . ...." Peer review by Ohchang K., staff

"...Easy to use product for younger students to begin learning using online tools and computer based applications. ...." Peer review by Kody Z., Programmer Analyst, Computer Software

How can Canvas and Open LMS enhance your Engagement Management process?

Both Canvas and Blackboard Open LMS offer tools for engagement management, such as features for interaction and communication. Canvas provides a dedicated Customer Success Manager and robust case management system, while Blackboard Open LMS leverages open-source software. However, Canvas has a steeper learning curve, and Blackboard Open LMS can experience speed problems with many users. The ability of each tool to keep students engaged is dependent on how instructors utilize the available features.

"...Integrations with tools like EvaluationKit have improved our student engagement and survey response rates, and we've improved our course accessibility significantly with Canvas features and UDOIT integration...." Peer review by Ian M, Instructional Designer, Education

"...Moodlerooms provides an effective platform that engages the group...." Peer review by Administrator

What solutions does Canvas and Open LMS provide for Content Management?

Canvas and Blackboard Open Lms both allow instructors to create, manage, and share course content. Canvas is easier to use for creating and uploading content. Canvas also provides more options for customizing content. Blackboard Open Lms offers a wider range of features for managing discussions, assignments, and grades. A limitation of both is that publishers have not fully integrated their content with these systems.

"...I like that my school corporation can share information and documents with me via Canvas...." Peer review by Sharon T., Speech-Language Pathologist