Canvas vs. SilkRoad 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
SilkRoad Learning
Score 7.7 out of 10
N/A
SilkRoad Learning is a web-based LMS. The vendor advertises enterprise-level platform for addressing skills gaps and regulatory compliance, as well as ecommerce and mobile support. It can integrate with other SilkRoad offerings and 3rd party content.N/A
Pricing
CanvasSilkRoad Learning
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
CanvasSilkRoad Learning
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
Community Pulse
CanvasSilkRoad Learning
Features
CanvasSilkRoad Learning
Learning Management
Comparison of Learning Management features of Product A and Product B
Canvas
9.0
42 Ratings
11% above category average
SilkRoad Learning
8.6
3 Ratings
4% above category average
Course authoring8.142 Ratings9.03 Ratings
Course catalog or library9.838 Ratings9.03 Ratings
Player/Portal9.932 Ratings7.63 Ratings
Learning content9.135 Ratings8.53 Ratings
Mobile friendly9.141 Ratings8.53 Ratings
Progress tracking & certifications8.138 Ratings9.03 Ratings
Assignments8.142 Ratings7.13 Ratings
Compliance management9.133 Ratings8.13 Ratings
Learning administration9.137 Ratings7.63 Ratings
Learning reporting & analytics9.139 Ratings10.02 Ratings
Social learning9.134 Ratings10.02 Ratings
Gamification9.62 Ratings00 Ratings
Single Sign On (SSO) Enabled Learning9.13 Ratings00 Ratings
Best Alternatives
CanvasSilkRoad Learning
Small Businesses
iSpring LMS
iSpring LMS
Score 9.6 out of 10
iSpring LMS
iSpring LMS
Score 9.6 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Schoology Learning
Schoology Learning
Score 8.0 out of 10
iSpring LMS
iSpring LMS
Score 9.6 out of 10
Enterprises
Schoology Learning
Schoology Learning
Score 8.0 out of 10
AITalent LMS
AITalent LMS
Score 9.3 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
CanvasSilkRoad Learning
Likelihood to Recommend
9.3
(84 ratings)
8.1
(12 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
9.3
(5 ratings)
3.6
(2 ratings)
Usability
9.4
(10 ratings)
8.0
(1 ratings)
Availability
-
(0 ratings)
8.0
(1 ratings)
Performance
-
(0 ratings)
7.0
(1 ratings)
Support Rating
9.0
(11 ratings)
7.0
(1 ratings)
In-Person Training
10.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Online Training
8.0
(1 ratings)
8.0
(1 ratings)
Implementation Rating
8.5
(2 ratings)
4.0
(1 ratings)
Product Scalability
8.0
(1 ratings)
7.0
(1 ratings)
User Testimonials
CanvasSilkRoad 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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SilkRoad
It is very well suited as a web based LMS. They have excellent customer service and support. Ask about the reporting features - these are challenging in many LMS applications. The training they provided for administrators is also very good. Overall a great company, and they are constantly working to improve the product
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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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SilkRoad
  • GreenLight is very good at keeping track of employee requirements through the use of qualifications. It is the backbone of how courses, classes, requirements and activities are assigned and monitored.
  • The content objects (development) portion of GreenLight is robust. It allows you to mix various content objects from different sources. For instance if you import a SCORM ecourse, an AICC ecourse and want to add an HTML page as an introduction, the software will allow you to combine all seamlessly into one course. In addition, the navigation and sequencing tools offer considerable functionality.
  • The reporting feature of this software is very good (but not best of class). The number of standard reports is fairly extensive and cover most needs. Having the ability to output files for further analysis and manipulation in Excel takes care of a number of areas where the standard reports fall short.
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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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SilkRoad
  • 'my profile' has been a little glitchy for us but we are a very small team and don't use that element much, photos don't load or stay loaded
  • Sometimes the main list with due dates, type of training etc. seems hard for people to completely understand some more customizable sections here would be useful for us
  • On the whole, is not a customizable as other platforms we've used. Is good at tracking but not so much the kind of cataloging we need.
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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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SilkRoad
Our training director has determined that the customer service and ease of use is too difficult. She intends to check into other LMS systems and end our contract with Silkroad.
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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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SilkRoad
I have a better understanding of the system and so it is easier for me to use. The student side is very easy and simple for anyone to use.
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Reliability and Availability
Instructure
No answers on this topic
SilkRoad
There have been many times when the site was unavailable for a short time. Also, glitches and unexplained ed activity such as sending training notifications out to terminated employees.
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Performance
Instructure
No answers on this topic
SilkRoad
It works well most of the time.
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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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SilkRoad
The questions regarding how to implement in the system are answered quickly and efficiently. If there is an issue with the technical side or integrations it takes forever to get results and after much escalating.
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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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SilkRoad
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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SilkRoad
some are thorough and others are not. I like that they are available for review.
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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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SilkRoad
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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SilkRoad
SilkRoad Learning is much easier to customize and roll out globally. The Skillsoft product was expensive, cumbersome, and required a large ramp up time. When working with clients on Skillsoft, too much had to be predetermined, the languages were not fully developed and learners had to pay each time they accessed a module and get reimbursement from the company - it was not effective.
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Scalability
Instructure
No answers on this topic
SilkRoad
The system went down/offline for 5 or 6 days in January. This is the month we have 3400 employees taking annual required training. It had several glitches afterwards that took months to correct.
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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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SilkRoad
  • GreenLight has provided an easy route for our users to receive training online and in-class. They can quickly and easily search and sign up for anything on the catalog. Being in healthcare, we provide a lot of training on a constant basis. GreenLight has provided a great foundation for our company to accomplish it's training needs and goals.
  • Employees can quickly access and complete online trainings so that they can get back to their jobs.
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