Canvas LMS vs Google Classroom comparison

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Comparison Buyer's Guide
Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between Canvas LMS and Google Classroom based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out in this report how the two Learning Management Systems (LMS) solutions compare in terms of features, pricing, service and support, easy of deployment, and ROI.
To learn more, read our detailed Canvas LMS vs. Google Classroom Report (Updated: March 2024).
765,234 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Featured Review
Quotes From Members
We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use.
Here are some excerpts of what they said:
Pros
"The solution is easy to access.""We have been using Canvas LMS, and overall, it has served our needs well for managing courses and general settings.""The product's flexibility is exceptional.""It's easy to follow. It flows well, and it's easy to use.""Its easy adaptability to whatever form or methodology you are using to teach is valuable. It tends to be seamless, and it is very much a self-intuitive product. It requires almost no instruction, and you can be fully up to speed and ready to run on it. You can bring someone in who has never worked with any online learning or LMS system, and in a week's timeframe, they would almost be fully functional because Canvas is so simple to use.""They have a more extensive support base in terms of infrastructure.""The integration with Zoom is a notable feature. It allows for seamless access to live class sessions directly from Canvas after authentication, enabling quick entry into Zoom calls. You can also schedule Zoom calls or private recordings directly within Canvas, making it convenient, especially for situations like self-recording exams. Additionally, Canvas excels in collaboration and discussion capabilities. Users can engage in discussions on various topics, and there's the option to create custom groups for more focused interactions. These groups provide a level of privacy and isolation from the broader class, which is a significant advantage.""I used a lot of other systems in my IT career and Canvas LMS truly has everything that I would look for in an enterprise system."

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"The product is easy to use.""When a teacher uploads material, all students connected to that class will receive the same information at the same time. I have found this to be a valuable feature. I also like that the material remains in Google Classroom until the teacher removes it. The UI is user-friendly, and you don't have to have prior experience to use the solution.""Google Classroom is simple to use.""Google Classroom is easy to use and intuitive, and it's not difficult to set up.""The most valuable feature of Google Classroom is its clouds based. It can be accessed anywhere. Additionally, the GUI is good, we have not had any complaints and the platform has built-in security. For example, email has protection.""What I like about Google Classroom are the video lessons. I enjoy using it because it makes my life easier, for example, I can easily change my class and my lecture notes.""I would rate the initial setup a nine out of ten. It is very straightforward.""I like that Google Classroom is free and integrates with the entire Google Suite, which includes Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drive, etc. I also like its flexibility, which makes it perfect for synchronous, asynchronous, and blended courses, and including live and archived webinars, as well as other kinds of content."

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Cons
"There are a couple of areas that could be improved. Firstly, the discussion feature is not very interactive and can be slow to respond, making it less intuitive at the moment. This is an aspect that needs substantial improvement. Another point to consider is related to the cost of the LMS system. It's perceived as relatively expensive, which has led to discussions about transitioning away from Canvas, potentially to a more cost-effective alternative. This cost-related aspect is a significant factor to consider when implementing such a system.""It would be nice to be able to do more real-time comprehensive reporting with Canvas LMS.""The learning curve is not steep, but it is intermediate.""The solution could be upgraded and improved.""The high-tech interactivity with other software, like ArcGIS or RSA Archer, can be better. It is not as easily compatible with them. You can put apps in it that the students can then access, but the routing of apps through the Canvas system slows down functionality on the other types of products.""It would be good to be able to do teleconferencing within the LMS.""The product could be integrated with a talent management system.""In our working, we are encountering many challenges with Canvas LMS. One of the major area is their business model which is having a very different pricing structure. The structure is made in such a way that the license fee is needed to be paid for the complete year even if the student has been enrolled for a programme of short duration. This structure is not conducive with our needs and hence, in the past few years, been increasing our costs manifold. Along with this, Canva LMS also lacks many functionalities such as notifications and adaptive learning. There is a specific issue with the licensing model that affects us in continuous education. The inability to reuse a license for the same course in different terms hinders our cost efficiency. For instance, if a program runs from January to April, we are required to pay for the license twice within the same academic year. This contrasts with other platforms like Hyper, where reusing a license is possible, allowing us to use the same license multiple times in different terms. Along with the use, we are exploring the integration of artificial intelligence into our processes, and Canvas LMS falls short in this regard. While some platforms allow connections with external AI services, Canvas does not currently offer built-in artificial intelligence capabilities, a feature we find valuable for enhancing the learning experience."

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"The user interface of Google Classroom could improve by being more user-friendly.""The product should provide features that allow teachers to be on video while taking the class.""It would be useful if this solution had its own online teaching platform with an integration with a Google video conferencing tool.""The stability could be improved.""We found that Google Classroom is it is missing a lot in current engagement. We know it has got guardian access, where it sends the reports to the guardian at the end of either the week or the month, depending on how you set it. However, it lacks collaboration between the teacher, student, and parents. The engagement is mostly between the student and the teacher. If you have a school similar to ours, where you're dealing with little children where the parent is supposed to be engaged, you need a system that can engage them as well. It's good for senior students, but not for our students.""There's room for improvement in the offline functionality. When you're working with a class, you can't close the class or perform certain tasks when you're offline.""The product must provide different plans for different customers so that we can pay for only what we use.""Google Classroom could improve by being easier to use. For example, making it functional with only a few buttons. It's difficult to know how to connect with students and make a link and share it with them. I found it difficult, and this is why I didn't continue using it. Additionally, it should be available to be downloaded to the desktop for use, similar to Zoom."

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Pricing and Cost Advice
  • "Canvas LMS is low-priced compared to other vendors."
  • "Canvas LMS is an affordable solution."
  • "The pricing of Canvas is satisfactory for my university. We have negotiated a good price, especially considering that we are a large university with twenty-six campuses across the country. Canvas offers a favorable pricing model for academic institutions, and the cost is reasonable. However, in continuous education, the challenge lies not in the price itself but in the business model. The requirement to pay for the entire year when our students may only use the license for a shorter duration creates challenges. The inability to adjust the licensing based on actual usage is a significant drawback for us, making the effective cost higher compared to other platforms like Hyper Learning"
  • More Canvas LMS Pricing and Cost Advice →

  • "We are an educational institution, and it is free of charge for us. Normally, if you are a private company, you have to pay a lot of money to get this service, but they are giving it for free to schools."
  • "If you do a certain size and build, it's like any Google solution. You have to pay for storage, but you don't need to pay extra to use the interface. There may be Google Classroom partners that provide more integrated solutions, but I don't know. I'm strictly DIY."
  • "We did not need a license to use Google Classroom."
  • "I'm using a free version of Google Classroom, so it's a product I don't pay for."
  • "There are competitors that offer free solutions, making the price of Google Classroom high."
  • "Google Classroom is a free solution."
  • "Google Classroom is a free solution. There is paid version that has more options, the cost is approximately eight dollars per student per month."
  • "The solution is affordable."
  • More Google Classroom Pricing and Cost Advice →

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    Questions from the Community
    Top Answer:We have been using Canvas LMS, and overall, it has served our needs well for managing courses and general settings.
    Top Answer:In our working, we are encountering many challenges with Canvas LMS. One of the major area is their business model which is having a very different pricing structure. The structure is made in such a… more »
    Top Answer:The product's UI is good and user-friendly.
    Top Answer:There should be some changes in the way Google Classroom allows for interaction by devices. Google Classroom brings an upgrade that can help lessen the burden for children who have to carry books… more »
    Top Answer:My wife used to handle my child's classwork through Google Classroom. Through Google Classroom, my wife used to help my child follow the instructions provided by the teacher while also dealing with… more »
    Ranking
    Views
    687
    Comparisons
    454
    Reviews
    7
    Average Words per Review
    584
    Rating
    8.6
    Views
    3,278
    Comparisons
    1,035
    Reviews
    23
    Average Words per Review
    595
    Rating
    8.2
    Comparisons
    Learn More
    Overview

    Canvas LMS is a comprehensive learning management system that enhances the educational experience. It offers a user-friendly interface that allows educators to create and manage courses, assignments, and assessments. Canvas enables seamless communication and collaboration between students and teachers. It supports various multimedia formats, making it easy to incorporate engaging content into lessons. Canvas also provides a mobile app, ensuring accessibility on the go. Its built-in analytics and reporting allow educators to track student progress and identify areas for improvement. Canvas LMS can integrate with other educational tools and platforms, enhancing its functionality. Canvas LMS is a powerful and versatile platform that empowers educators to deliver effective and engaging online learning experiences.

    Google Classroom is an online learning platform that allows teachers to create and manage virtual classrooms. With Google Classroom, teachers can easily distribute assignments, communicate with students, and provide feedback. Students can access their assignments, submit their work, and collaborate with their peers all in one place. The platform integrates seamlessly with other Google tools like Google Drive and Google Docs, making it easy for students to create and share their work. Google Classroom also provides a streamlined workflow for teachers, allowing them to save time and stay organized. Google Classroom is a user-friendly and efficient tool that enhances the learning experience of teachers and students alike.

    Sample Customers
    Pragmatic Group, MRWED Training and Assessment, RedHill Education
    Google Classroom is used in major urban school districts throughout the United States, including: * Los Angeles Unified School District * Chicago Public Schools * New York City Department of Education * Houston Independent School District * Miami-Dade County Public Schools * Dallas Independent School District * Broward County Public Schools * Clark County School District (Las Vegas) * Philadelphia School District
    Top Industries
    REVIEWERS
    University57%
    Computer Software Company14%
    Comms Service Provider14%
    Healthcare Company14%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Educational Organization29%
    University11%
    Government10%
    Computer Software Company6%
    REVIEWERS
    University47%
    Educational Organization29%
    Government6%
    Non Profit6%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Educational Organization24%
    University11%
    Computer Software Company8%
    Government8%
    Company Size
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business22%
    Midsize Enterprise22%
    Large Enterprise56%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business30%
    Midsize Enterprise13%
    Large Enterprise57%
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business50%
    Midsize Enterprise13%
    Large Enterprise38%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business28%
    Midsize Enterprise15%
    Large Enterprise58%
    Buyer's Guide
    Canvas LMS vs. Google Classroom
    March 2024
    Find out what your peers are saying about Canvas LMS vs. Google Classroom and other solutions. Updated: March 2024.
    765,234 professionals have used our research since 2012.

    Canvas LMS is ranked 7th in Learning Management Systems (LMS) with 8 reviews while Google Classroom is ranked 3rd in Learning Management Systems (LMS) with 23 reviews. Canvas LMS is rated 8.6, while Google Classroom is rated 8.2. The top reviewer of Canvas LMS writes "Intuitive, easy to learn, and easy to adapt to various teaching methodologies". On the other hand, the top reviewer of Google Classroom writes "It's free and integrates seamlessly with many tools". Canvas LMS is most compared with CYPHER Learning, Schoology Learning, Moodle, Brightspace and Kajabi Course, whereas Google Classroom is most compared with Moodle, Blackboard Learning Management and CYPHER Learning. See our Canvas LMS vs. Google Classroom report.

    See our list of best Learning Management Systems (LMS) vendors.

    We monitor all Learning Management Systems (LMS) reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.