Canvas vs. Schoology Learning

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
Schoology Learning
Score 9.2 out of 10
N/A
Schoology aims to combine as many parts of the learning process as possible into a single platform for K-12 students. By doing this they aim to simplify the learning experience for students, parents, and teachers.N/A
Pricing
CanvasSchoology Learning
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
Schoology Basic
Free
Schoology Enterprise
Contact sales team
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
CanvasSchoology Learning
Free Trial
YesNo
Free/Freemium Version
YesYes
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional DetailsMust contact vendor for pricing information.Reach out to the vendor for pricing options based on your needs.
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
CanvasSchoology Learning
Considered Both Products
Canvas
Chose Canvas
Canvas is a pricey option, at least when compared to something open source like Moodle. Personally, I don't feel that Canvas has the same ability to customize as Moodle. However, the customer support from Canvas makes it stand out. With an open-source platform, it might be …
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 …
Schoology Learning
Chose Schoology Learning
The functionality of Schoology is, in my opinion, far superior to that of Canvas. The user interface and ease of submitting assignments is so far beyond what one can do in Canvas. As an instructor, the ease of grading is also far superior than what one can do in Canvas. The Goog…
Chose Schoology Learning
Schoology was selected because it is user friendly and Admin friendly. The platform is also exceptionally intuitive for users.
Chose Schoology Learning
I've chosen Schoology as a learning management system due to its enormous complexity paired with equal simplicity. Schoology can do what other more complicated systems can do, but it is far easier to create and manage. I've used a few different systems in my years as a student …
Top Pros
Top Cons
Features
CanvasSchoology Learning
Learning Management
Comparison of Learning Management features of Product A and Product B
Canvas
7.7
41 Ratings
7% below category average
Schoology Learning
7.3
40 Ratings
12% below category average
Course authoring8.941 Ratings7.738 Ratings
Course catalog or library7.138 Ratings8.227 Ratings
Player/Portal8.032 Ratings8.029 Ratings
Learning content7.934 Ratings9.133 Ratings
Mobile friendly8.540 Ratings6.638 Ratings
Progress tracking & certifications8.037 Ratings7.334 Ratings
Assignments9.041 Ratings6.840 Ratings
Compliance management7.032 Ratings7.123 Ratings
Learning administration8.036 Ratings7.833 Ratings
Learning reporting & analytics8.038 Ratings6.037 Ratings
Social learning7.833 Ratings6.135 Ratings
Gamification4.22 Ratings00 Ratings
Single Sign On (SSO) Enabled Learning7.12 Ratings00 Ratings
Best Alternatives
CanvasSchoology Learning
Small Businesses
Tovuti LMS
Tovuti LMS
Score 9.5 out of 10
Tovuti LMS
Tovuti LMS
Score 9.5 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Sakai
Sakai
Score 8.7 out of 10
Sakai
Sakai
Score 8.7 out of 10
Enterprises
Schoology Learning
Schoology Learning
Score 9.2 out of 10
Intellum
Intellum
Score 9.2 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
CanvasSchoology Learning
Likelihood to Recommend
8.2
(83 ratings)
6.8
(113 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
9.3
(5 ratings)
4.5
(6 ratings)
Usability
10.0
(8 ratings)
4.6
(9 ratings)
Availability
-
(0 ratings)
7.3
(1 ratings)
Performance
-
(0 ratings)
6.4
(1 ratings)
Support Rating
9.0
(11 ratings)
1.0
(9 ratings)
In-Person Training
10.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Online Training
8.0
(1 ratings)
4.5
(1 ratings)
Implementation Rating
8.5
(2 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Product Scalability
8.0
(1 ratings)
3.6
(1 ratings)
Vendor post-sale
-
(0 ratings)
7.3
(1 ratings)
Vendor pre-sale
-
(0 ratings)
7.3
(1 ratings)
User Testimonials
CanvasSchoology Learning
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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PowerSchool Group LLC
Schoology does the job well enough, but there are enough areas of contention that make advanced use of the system unwieldy. District staff does not have easy reporting ability to determine adoption and use of the platform without having to export to another program for analysis. The reliability of the system is a huge pain point as we need to deliver the curriculum but cannot count on it being available when we need to use it.
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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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PowerSchool Group LLC
  • Assessments - Much more interactive and have more grading options than Google Forms
  • Auto-rostering - We are able to use Infinite Campus to automatically roster classes and there are no extra steps
  • Family/Guardian access - Schoology allows families to have a sign in and see student grades & work.
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.
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PowerSchool Group LLC
  • While this product constantly seeks to make improvements, certain features need tweaking. As educators enroll in various courses, these course tend to accumulate. If the educator is not an administrator of the course, it is next to impossible to get out.
  • Switching from one course/group to another course/group takes several steps. Not always easy to find the course/group needed.
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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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PowerSchool Group LLC
While we have taken time to re-evaluate our selected 1:1 devices, Schoology's impact on student learning is unquestioned. Students are able to connect with other learners, create and share products of their learning, and develop their digital fluency through their use of Schoology.
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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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PowerSchool Group LLC
It's very easy to use Schoology. As with any LMS, it helps to learn some tips and tricks prior to getting started. But, each item is clearly indicated within the platform. If I want to add materials, it is right at the top of my screen. If I want to view the calendar, it is indicated to the right of my screen. Navigating a course and the platform is quite straightforward. Additionally, the benefit of Schoology's help center and user community makes asking and answering questions quick and easy.
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Reliability and Availability
Instructure
No answers on this topic
PowerSchool Group LLC
Generally good, but issue self-reporting has become a problem. When there are issues, it can be 20 minutes to an hour before it gets noted on the status page
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Performance
Instructure
No answers on this topic
PowerSchool Group LLC
Course saves or transfers can take several minutes and up to an hour
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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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PowerSchool Group LLC
We have county-level support and district-level support, but their HELP page offers everything that is needed to answer questions and to find "how-to" information for staff. This includes video and written directions for every available feature. Schoology has also worked with our district to improve 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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PowerSchool Group LLC
Too surface level with no follow-up. A
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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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PowerSchool Group LLC
Sit and get with very little hands-on time. 5 minutes to try out a feature/question type, etc. is not enough time. Once your training is done, there is no option for new employees to get that training without having to rebook and pay for the training again. If you pay for basic training, that should be available to a district to use in the future.
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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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PowerSchool Group LLC
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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PowerSchool Group LLC
I have taught using both Edmodo and Google Classroom. While both were easier than Schoology was to get in the beginning, Schoology is infinitely more powerful than either of them was. I can do so much more, and differentiate so much easier using Schoology than I could with either of my previous LMSs.
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Scalability
Instructure
No answers on this topic
PowerSchool Group LLC
We use it 5-12 so scalability is not an issue but sharing materials between departments including common assessments is difficult without paying for add-on features
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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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PowerSchool Group LLC
  • Using Schoology to build a foundation for a blended learning model has helped increase my students ABC rate between 15-20% in all classes!
  • Using Schoology is forcing my students to become responsible for their own learning!
  • The only negative thing I have encountered is the students resistance to change!
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ScreenShots

Schoology Learning Screenshots

Screenshot of Example of Schoology’s course dashboard.