Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Canvas
Score 8.5 out of 10
N/A
Instructure is an educational software company based in Sandy, Utah. It is the developer of the Canvas learning management system, which is a comprehensive software package that competes with such systems as Blackboard Learning System, SumTotal and Saba.N/A
Google Classroom
Score 8.2 out of 10
N/A
N/A
$0
per month
Studio 360 (discontinued)
Score 6.0 out of 10
N/A
Studio 360 for PowerPoint, or formerly Articulate Studio, was a PowerPoint plugin used to develop elearning course content. It has been discontinued and is no longer receiving support.N/A
Pricing
CanvasGoogle ClassroomStudio 360 (discontinued)
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
Education Fundamentals
$0
per license/per month
Google Workspace for Education Standard
$3
per student/per year
Teaching and Learning Upgrade
$4
per license/per month
Google Workspace for Education Plus
$5
per student/per year
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
CanvasGoogle ClassroomStudio 360 (discontinued)
Free Trial
YesYesNo
Free/Freemium Version
YesNoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional DetailsMust contact vendor for pricing information.Education Fundamentals Version - 30-day free trial for qualifying institutions.
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
CanvasGoogle ClassroomStudio 360 (discontinued)
Considered Multiple Products
Canvas
Chose Canvas
Google Classroom and Canvas are very similar. We feel that Canvas is better suited for our older students and so we begin to introduce it at the middle school level. We utilize Google Classroom with our younger students as it is somewhat easier to navigate and understand for …
Chose Canvas
Canvas is the most robust choice available when comparing LMS platforms. When looking at other platforms used by K-12, such as Edmodo and Google Classroom, Canvas has far more features, support, and has a higher level of user ease. The customer service provided by Canvas is one …
Chose Canvas
Canvas is very similar to Schoology. Built on collaboration, both Canvas and Schoology have a very social media-esque feel. Both platforms offer a variety of tools and features that take the normal classroom above and beyond what can be done in Google Classroom or other LMS …
Chose Canvas
Canvas takes the better parts of both Skyward and Google Classroom and combines them to work pretty seamlessly - grading, assignments, attendance, document/file sharing - all integrated into one platform. In addition, the internal communication feature makes communication …
Chose Canvas
Canvas is in the experience way better than Google Classroom. Canvas has a more robust agenda system that also allows adding in new personal deadlines. [Assignments] can be submitted past [the] deadline (if allowed),
Chose Canvas
I believe Canvas is worse than all of them. In my experience, it is harder to use, uglier to look at.
Chose Canvas
Canvas is a powerful learning management tool that combines so many key elements of an actual classroom and allows teachers to mirror their classroom environment into a virtual platform. It is simply amazing what can be done on Canvas. Grading systems/analysis, progress …
Chose Canvas
I believe Canvas out does all of these because of its robustness. It allows for more design opportunities including HTML and HTML5 and has many built-in features that are not offered by all of the other LMSs. Some of those features are discussions, assignments, pages, quizzes, …
Chose Canvas
Canvas is the most advanced and most versatile of the products I have used in the past. It has more features and is better able to be customized by the user. Programs like Classroom, Moodle, and Edmodo are geared more toward younger users and therefore do not have the same …
Chose Canvas
Really no comparison. We did a thorough analysis of other products. Never looked back.
Google Classroom
Chose Google Classroom
With so many schools using Google apps, Google Classroom becomes an integral part of the classroom learning experience. Overall, Classroom gets the job done. If you are looking for something simple this is it. It isn't a full-blown LMS but it keeps everything organized in one …
Chose Google Classroom
Canvas has a MUCH steeper learning curve than Google Classroom does. Although it has the capacity to maintain a more detailed gradebook, the tradeoff for having an easier-to-use learning management system is worth it. Google Classroom doesn't require much instruction to learn …
Chose Google Classroom
Google Classroom does not have all the capabilities of Canvas or Blackboard, but is a great choice for those who need an introductory digital platform. It is a great way to begin going digital, and has some great features, like the ability to share posts between classes/years. …
Studio 360 (discontinued)

No answer on this topic

Features
CanvasGoogle ClassroomStudio 360 (discontinued)
Learning Management
Comparison of Learning Management features of Product A and Product B
Canvas
9.8
41 Ratings
18% above category average
Google Classroom
7.6
60 Ratings
8% below category average
Studio 360 (discontinued)
-
Ratings
Course authoring9.941 Ratings8.652 Ratings00 Ratings
Course catalog or library9.738 Ratings7.839 Ratings00 Ratings
Player/Portal9.832 Ratings7.338 Ratings00 Ratings
Learning content9.834 Ratings7.641 Ratings00 Ratings
Mobile friendly9.940 Ratings7.257 Ratings00 Ratings
Progress tracking & certifications9.837 Ratings7.444 Ratings00 Ratings
Assignments9.941 Ratings7.558 Ratings00 Ratings
Compliance management9.732 Ratings7.334 Ratings00 Ratings
Learning administration9.836 Ratings7.546 Ratings00 Ratings
Learning reporting & analytics9.838 Ratings7.342 Ratings00 Ratings
Social learning9.833 Ratings8.451 Ratings00 Ratings
Gamification9.52 Ratings4.98 Ratings00 Ratings
Single Sign On (SSO) Enabled Learning9.72 Ratings9.512 Ratings00 Ratings
Best Alternatives
CanvasGoogle ClassroomStudio 360 (discontinued)
Small Businesses
iSpring LMS
iSpring LMS
Score 9.5 out of 10
iSpring LMS
iSpring LMS
Score 9.5 out of 10
iSpring LMS
iSpring LMS
Score 9.5 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Schoology Learning
Schoology Learning
Score 8.0 out of 10
Schoology Learning
Schoology Learning
Score 8.0 out of 10
iSpring LMS
iSpring LMS
Score 9.5 out of 10
Enterprises
Schoology Learning
Schoology Learning
Score 8.0 out of 10
Schoology Learning
Schoology Learning
Score 8.0 out of 10
Articulate 360
Articulate 360
Score 9.3 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
CanvasGoogle ClassroomStudio 360 (discontinued)
Likelihood to Recommend
9.3
(83 ratings)
8.5
(77 ratings)
8.9
(16 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
9.3
(5 ratings)
10.0
(4 ratings)
10.0
(1 ratings)
Usability
10.0
(9 ratings)
8.5
(8 ratings)
10.0
(1 ratings)
Availability
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Performance
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
9.0
(11 ratings)
1.9
(14 ratings)
7.6
(4 ratings)
In-Person Training
10.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Online Training
8.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Implementation Rating
8.5
(2 ratings)
2.0
(2 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Product Scalability
8.0
(1 ratings)
10.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
CanvasGoogle ClassroomStudio 360 (discontinued)
Likelihood to Recommend
Instructure
It is really well suited for school situations like knowing what [assignments] need to be done when, getting feedback, getting points, finding the slides that the teacher used for explaining an [assignment] or theory. I think It would be less suited in business situations because it's [primarily] made to be a [one-way] communication tool for schools. Businesses need more control on individual levels I think[.]
Read full review
Google
Google Classroom allows teachers to post for daily lessons and assignments. It also allows teachers to be able to communicate with students easily outside of class. Students are able to stay connected and know where to find all information and resources easily in a streamlined manner for all of their classes.
Read full review
Discontinued Products
Articulate Studio is constantly surprising in terms of what it can do. It is like a "Swiss Army Knife" of functionality. I've used it to build portfolios, whole interactive websites, authoring videos and I often discover novel ways to make it useful on a pretty regular basis. What would be a situation where you would not want to use Articulate Studio? Well, even though you can use it to author video and to publish websites, it's not a replacement for a video editing package or a web platform like WordPress, but there are times when it will do certain things in an astoundingly simple way superior to other tools.
Read full review
Pros
Instructure
  • Creativity options for teachers to create a virtual space that still has fun graphics and accessibility options.
  • Canvas has versatility in viewing options for assignment due dates such as the calendar built in feature as well as the dashboard options to display upcoming and due assignments.
  • Allowing teachers to create community with each other and collaborate in each-other's space.
  • Discussion platforms within classrooms for students to communicate with each-other and with their teachers.
  • Easy messaging portal within each virtual classroom.
Read full review
Google
  • Student-teacher communication - I love using Classroom for this because my students can always go back and check what was on Classroom by looking through the stream. This way they don't have to go dig through emails to find what they're looking for.
  • Posting to multiple classes - I can post the same announcement or assignment to multiple classes at once without having to repeat the process or send separate emails.
  • Streamlining grading - when students turn work in on Classroom, it all goes to one place and then when I'm grading I can open their documents directly from Classroom or my Drive folder. This way, I'm not looking through emails and Google Doc shared files for their assignment.
Read full review
Discontinued Products
  • They made it very easy to understand how to add new content to the courses, including images, videos or audio, of course, you are still able to do text-based content as well.
  • Creating quizzes has never been easier. The ability to add controls to each question and what actions each answer creates, whether an additional question or passing to the next section. Customizing these actions are very easy to learn and add to your course.
  • Being able to use your own scoring mechanism is awesome! I like SCORM but there are many options to use including a custom one of your own. This ability allows you to pass your students over to a proprietary system that enrolls them in the next course, or use the built-in utilities to provide the next course or quiz, the choice is yours!
Read full review
Cons
Instructure
  • Their integration with Big Blue Button was a bust for distance learning. Would be great to see them collaborate with Zoom or Google Meets.
  • Their "feature request" process is slow and cumbersome at times because it relies on user "up votes" to get ideas addressed by the developers.
  • They seem to have a lot of turn-over with their staff. We get a new Customer Success Manager far more frequently than with other vendors.
Read full review
Google
  • The content management of the Classroom is not that good. The sub-section for notes, syllabus, or discussion is missing.
  • It doesn't have parental control feature.
  • It converts the excel output into a normal file. All the formulas and pivots got changed into plain text.
Read full review
Discontinued Products
  • The audio editor is awful. Sometimes when you cut a section, it actually takes a different section that you selected. Especially when in zoom mode. You have to then undo the action, and re-do. Also, scrubbing through the audio is difficult. If you're exporting audio, it can glitch during the process. I avoid using the audio editor whenever I can.
  • After all these years, it's still a buggy program. You can be doing your recordings, and a sudden message appears saying that something went wrong and needs to close. I've done re-installs, contacted support, and I constantly clear the temp folder. Still happens. Also, it's a good idea to export your audio, and there have been times the program freezes up on me, and the audio file (in the .ppta file) gets corrupted and all audio is permanently lost.
  • The program can get slow when publishing, previewing or opening the audio editor.
  • The included Engage program is pretty good, but it needs more customization options. And I think they can add more modules that provide a little more engagement.
Read full review
Likelihood to Renew
Instructure
The other LMS tools have fallen behind. One reason is they are not able to update their systems, features, toolsets in a timely manner. While other LMS providers release bug fixes and new features several times a year, schools struggle to install and implement them in a timely manner. It is not uncommon for a school to take 6 months to a year to fully install and implement new releases on other LMS platforms. With Canvas, those features are released every 3 weeks, and there is nothing for a school to do other than choose to turn them on once released. This has allowed Instructure to innovate faster, and get new features and tools to customers quicker. Other factors include great pricing, customer support, and the innovative way in which LTI is implemented in the tool.
Read full review
Google
Testing is particularly important in online learning, and Google Classroom falls far short of other learning management systems in this regard. Security is also a concern: while account control is reasonable for the account used with Google Classroom, the person controlling a particular account is often able to, for example, forward or download proprietary materials.
Read full review
Discontinued Products
There is very little chance that this software wold not be renewed. It has become an integral part of our standard software for elearning development.
Read full review
Usability
Instructure
The functions in Canvas are well integrated and consistent across the application, and mostly intuitive. Overall navigation and setup is streamlined through integrated features and navigation. The feedback we've gotten from our program participants is that it is easy to learn to use. It also integrates well with third party software like Google Docs and Blackboard Collaborate web conferencing software
Read full review
Google
Simple design and seamless integration with Google tools and drive, but missing some key features. However, since it is limited in overall functions and ability to truly personalize / customize, it is quite user friendly and easy to set up and get going, other than sending out the code to your course or dropping students in via their gmail account. Users of Google Forms and sites will find the layout similar in design.
Read full review
Discontinued Products
This is very useable software even for novice eLearning authoring users. People with some PowerPoint experience should be fine with this software and even Excel!
Read full review
Reliability and Availability
Instructure
No answers on this topic
Google
We have had very little trouble in accessing Google Classroom. Our issues, if any, have risen from our server and not the Google servers.
Read full review
Discontinued Products
No answers on this topic
Support Rating
Instructure
I do not personally use Canvas support since we have a central office that helps us. However, our central office always has the answers we need and are always able to solve our issues - so I would assume that get great support from the Canvas team on their end. They also offer great training, which uses materials directly from Canvas
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Google
Since this platform is provided by Google, the technical support is better than any others, and we are not required to bother about the space constraints for adding the contents. If we have a good uninterrupted internet facility we can access Google Classroom without any delay or lag. They have app support in both Android and iPhone.
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Discontinued Products
I've never really had any major issues with the product (Other than the registration loop error)and my ten out of ten rating is based on the assistance I got when we initially set up the extension in Power Point. I found the support folks to be professional, helpful and friendly
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In-Person Training
Instructure
The training sessions were broken down into several days as well as different levels depending upon the knowledge of the user
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Google
No answers on this topic
Discontinued Products
No answers on this topic
Online Training
Instructure
The online tutorials and videos are very clear and addressed the issues/questions that I had about using the system.
Read full review
Google
No answers on this topic
Discontinued Products
No answers on this topic
Implementation Rating
Instructure
Once you purchase and sign the contract there is nothing to install or hardware to buy. You can almost immediately start using it and have courses up and going within weeks. We signed in December and had pilot courses online ready to go for the start of school in January
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Google
It was relatively easy to implement due to the simplicity of the platform. Even our more technology challenged teachers found it easy to get started with Google Classroom.
Read full review
Discontinued Products
No answers on this topic
Alternatives Considered
Instructure
Canvas is more secure, has a cleaner design, and has more features. For the features, they have in common canvas still stacks up against [Smart school] by going for the extra mile. Besidfor e that, [the] canvas looks a lot more [professional] than [Smart school]. I didn't make the decision myself to get canvas instead of [Smart school] but I'm happy they did.
Read full review
Google
I haven't tested or evaluated another digital classroom website or application. I feel like Google Classroom is convenient for many reasons such as compatibility to Google docs, slides, etc. I also love the ability to link to YouTube and other sites. I don't know if there would be a site that is easier to maneuver.
Read full review
Discontinued Products
Articulate Studio is very much a leader in the e-learning space. It stacks up well against other tools designed to quickly and easily build and update CBTs by managers and super-users versus needing to invest time and effort in dedicated e-learning developers. Process improvement initiatives and cross-functional departments are empowered to develop their trainings themselves and identify areas for future development.
Read full review
Scalability
Instructure
No answers on this topic
Google
It is very easy to push out this program across our buildings. Teachers are able to use it without much trouble.
Read full review
Discontinued Products
No answers on this topic
Return on Investment
Instructure
  • Canvas has helped us provide a more robust online component to our courses.
  • Canvas has helped us better adapt to a rapidly changing educational landscape.
  • Canvas has reduced the time that we have to spend training faculty on how to use our learning management system.
Read full review
Google
  • Students are able to continue learning in a remote environment
  • Parents have a single, consistent organization structure to make it easy to track assignments and progress for multiple children
  • Much better solution than the quickly assembled Zoom-and-gloom of the previous spring when school abruptly went remote with no planning
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Discontinued Products
  • I only see positive impact since it is a very easy to use tool for rapid learning. The only point is to know what is possible to develop using this tool to avoid any kind of frustration afterwards.
  • Another positive impact is that we don't need a diversified development team. There is no need of technical professionals, and a creative instructional designer is enough to develop effective learning content using Studio.
  • The third positive impact is that Studio makes possible to realize short-term projects, mainly when there's already a PowerPoint presentation.
Read full review
ScreenShots