Canvas vs. Microsoft Powerpoint

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Canvas
Score 8.6 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
Microsoft Powerpoint
Score 8.0 out of 10
N/A
Microsoft PowerPoint is a presentation software designed to allow users to create slide-based presentations including video and images, as well as slide transitions and animations.
$139.99
Pricing
CanvasMicrosoft Powerpoint
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
One Time Purchase
$139.99
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
CanvasMicrosoft Powerpoint
Free Trial
YesNo
Free/Freemium Version
YesNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional DetailsMust contact vendor for pricing information.
More Pricing Information
Features
CanvasMicrosoft Powerpoint
Learning Management
Comparison of Learning Management features of Product A and Product B
Canvas
7.6
41 Ratings
7% below category average
Microsoft Powerpoint
-
Ratings
Course authoring8.941 Ratings00 Ratings
Course catalog or library7.138 Ratings00 Ratings
Player/Portal8.032 Ratings00 Ratings
Learning content7.934 Ratings00 Ratings
Mobile friendly8.440 Ratings00 Ratings
Progress tracking & certifications8.037 Ratings00 Ratings
Assignments9.041 Ratings00 Ratings
Compliance management7.032 Ratings00 Ratings
Learning administration7.936 Ratings00 Ratings
Learning reporting & analytics8.038 Ratings00 Ratings
Social learning7.733 Ratings00 Ratings
Gamification4.32 Ratings00 Ratings
Single Sign On (SSO) Enabled Learning7.22 Ratings00 Ratings
Best Alternatives
CanvasMicrosoft Powerpoint
Small Businesses
Tovuti LMS
Tovuti LMS
Score 9.5 out of 10
Canva
Canva
Score 9.2 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Sakai
Sakai
Score 8.7 out of 10
Canva
Canva
Score 9.2 out of 10
Enterprises
Intellum
Intellum
Score 9.2 out of 10
Mentimeter
Mentimeter
Score 9.2 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
CanvasMicrosoft Powerpoint
Likelihood to Recommend
8.2
(83 ratings)
9.0
(54 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
9.3
(5 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Usability
10.0
(8 ratings)
10.0
(1 ratings)
Support Rating
9.0
(11 ratings)
8.5
(4 ratings)
In-Person Training
10.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Online Training
8.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Implementation Rating
8.5
(2 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Product Scalability
8.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
CanvasMicrosoft Powerpoint
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[.]
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Microsoft
[Microsoft Powerpoint] is very well suited for preaching and teaching. I find it easier to describe what I am trying to get across with a graphic. [Microsoft Powerpoint] is the most effective way to present material. I have also used it do graduation videos for our preschool. The integration of music with the graphics provides a first rate presentation.
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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.
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Microsoft
  • Powerpoint is excellent for structuring your ideas as you before you present them
  • Powerpoint should be used as s skeleton for your presentation for maximum effectiveness, rather than just "reading off the slides"
  • Powerpoint on a high DPI system with screencasting software and microphone allows you to record a high resolution product demonstration video quickly.
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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.
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Microsoft
  • The "remove background" feature could be a bit more user friendly - it tends to take up too much space and you're forced to start over and over again and take smaller areas to adjust which takes up quite a bit of time.
  • I could use some more design templates with less feminine features like flowers and swirls. More industry-themed ones would be great to use.
  • More adaptability to the "slide master" selection. It is extremely laborious to change each slide generated from the master slide.
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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.
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Microsoft
No answers on this topic
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
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Microsoft
Very intuitive interface especially if you are familiar with tools like Word and Excel.
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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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Microsoft
I've never contacted Microsoft support directly; I've only Googled the answers to my questions. But just the fact that there are thousands of posts on boards with people having random issues with PPT is a bit indicative of the state of the support for their product.
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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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Microsoft
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.
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Microsoft
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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Microsoft
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.
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Microsoft
Adobe Illustrator is an excellent software but it's not easy to use for [everyone without] having any training or previous experience in working with illustrator. Microsoft Powerpoint is very easy to use and it's fantastic as it saves time more than illustrator. Another thing is it takes small space while illustrator takes a significant amount of space in the business machine
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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.
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Microsoft
  • Helped reduce time we spend modifying and sharing back and forth different versions.
  • Saved us the frustration of having to work with an online program with limited functionalities.
  • Macros make it easy to share data in one excel file and automatically update presentation.
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ScreenShots