Canvas LMS vs Moodle comparison

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Canvas LMS Logo
687 views|454 comparisons
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2,563 views|1,440 comparisons
Comparison Buyer's Guide
Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between Canvas LMS and Moodle 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. Moodle 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
"They have a more extensive support base in terms of infrastructure.""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.""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.""The solution is easy to access.""The product's flexibility is exceptional.""It's easy to follow. It flows well, and it's easy to use.""We have been using Canvas LMS, and overall, it has served our needs well for managing courses and general settings.""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."

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"The ability to insert a variety of tools, create and organize course content, and share large volumes of materials, written, audio, or visual, is very valuable.""The initial setup is straightforward.""Moodle integrates with many third party plugins, which has enabled us to make use of the latest technology. During the Covid 19 period, we used a plugin called BigBlueButton to facilitate online learning which was quick and easy to do.""One of my biggest pet peeves is that many LMSs do not offer a course or site-level backup that is an industry-standard file. So, if you decide you don't like Moodle or some other LMS, you should be able to back up all your data and take it and go somewhere else. Moodle does offer that. There are several others that do that as well, but there are some LMSs that don't, which isn't a very good business practice because they hold their clients hostage. That's one of the things I really like about Moodle.""The fact that it's modular means you can easily expand with thousands of plugins that you can freely download from Moodle headquarters, and adding or removing functionality is easy.""The solution is stable.""They have made it really easy for you to see the flow on the forums. The information is well organized and the UI is fairly easy to navigate.""Since it's an open-source product, you can integrate it with many other things."

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Cons
"It would be nice to be able to do more real-time comprehensive reporting with Canvas LMS.""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 solution could be upgraded and improved.""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.""The product could be integrated with a talent management system.""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.""The learning curve is not steep, but it is intermediate."

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"The multi-tenancy system within Moodle could be improved. IOMAD is what makes the multi-tenancy possible but this comes with many issues.""Setting up groups and allocating privacy settings to different groups is quite complicated.""Everything is very text heavy. There are no videos or moving images. For a visual learner, there's not a lot of visual content so Moodle is not suitable for all types of learners.""The biggest area for improvement is the UI. They should also make the navigation simpler to understand. They've recently introduced a new way of having navigation work in Moodle, but they all look very similar.""The ability to input modified, individual, independent grades in a grade center component is not just hard. It almost always requires you to get tech involved. When you're dealing with a learning system where you have people in an open enrollment with all different levels of learning modes or methodologies, and as well as a worldwide student body, you end up with situations where you have to absolutely exempt somebody from a grade or an assignment and enter a new, different kind of assignment because of their skillset or lack thereof. You can't do that in Moodle. It is virtually impossible to do that in Moodle without having a tech do it for you, and when you have to have that level of tech support, it becomes problematic. They need to fix the grade book center. It is the part where you do evaluations. They need to fix it so that the individual professors can make changes directly without having to get a hold of tech support to do it for them.""Moodle should improve the interface. You can download plugins, such as templates, and use them in Moodle, but they're limited. The interface component in Moodle can improve for students because we always have to train every student on how to use some of each feature. The solution overall could be more user-friendly.""Moodle is missing a subscription-based system where learners can subscribe to available courses and make the payment for those courses.""Sometimes, the gradebook can get broken if an incorrect formula is entered during creation."

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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 →

  • "It varies depending on the partner you're going with. It depends on whether they are a certified partner or not. It also varies depending on the demand. Usually, with Moodle and other LMSs, there is concurrent licensing. It's hard to figure out the best way to do it at the company that is selling the LMS. Moodle is usually one of the most cost-effective LMSs you can get."
  • "This solution offers a free-to-use version which can be deployed only on-premises and is what we are using. Moodle also offer support based and cloud based subscriptions. Organizations can select the appropriate package based on their needs. Moodle offer reasonable pricing for the use of their solution."
  • "Moodle offer a 14 day free trial and then requires payment."
  • "It is a one-time registration with the Moodle site. There isn't a yearly or monthly fee."
  • "Moodle is free. It should probably stay free. There isn't really any support for Moodle unless you pay an astronomical amount, which is weird."
  • "Moodle have a very robust licensing system that is user friendly. It's not very expensive."
  • "Moodle is a free solution."
  • "It is open source, and it has a lot of free documentation. It can be by far the least expensive option, but it depends on how one decides to use it. It can be free if you download it and host it on-prem, and you don't count your time as being worth anything. So, it can be almost free, or it can be very expensive just depending on if you get a package with a provider and if it is a huge solution."
  • More Moodle 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 customization features of Moodle significantly enhance the learning experience for our users.
    Top Answer:The initial setup was somewhat complex. One aspect that I found a bit confusing was the dual editing system, where you could edit the layout of the course separately from editing the content. I often… more »
    Top Answer:I utilize Moodle for training purposes, particularly for our internal clients, aiding them in transitioning to remote learning and online education, especially amid the pandemic. I assist internal… more »
    Ranking
    Views
    687
    Comparisons
    454
    Reviews
    7
    Average Words per Review
    584
    Rating
    8.6
    Views
    2,563
    Comparisons
    1,440
    Reviews
    24
    Average Words per Review
    710
    Rating
    7.9
    Comparisons
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    CYPHER Learning logo
    Compared 12% of the time.
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    Disprz logo
    Compared 2% of the time.
    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.

    Moodle is a comprehensive learning management system offering various features to facilitate online education. With its user-friendly interface, Moodle allows educators to create and manage courses, deliver engaging content, and assess student progress. The platform supports various multimedia formats, allowing users to integrate videos, audio, and interactive activities. Additionally, Moodle provides communication tools, such as forums and messaging, fostering collaboration and interaction among students and instructors. The system also includes assessment tools that enable teachers to create quizzes, assignments, and surveys to evaluate student performance.

    Moodle's customizable and flexible environment lets institutions tailor the platform to their needs and branding. With its mobile app, Moodle ensures accessibility and convenience for learners on the go. 

    Moodle is a powerful and versatile learning management system that empowers educators to deliver effective and engaging online courses.

    Sample Customers
    Pragmatic Group, MRWED Training and Assessment, RedHill Education
    Acacia University, Alliant International University, American University of Health Sciences, Anaheim University Online, Aspen University, Cal State University San Bernardino, California State University Los Angeles, Chattanooga Fire Training, City of Humble Fire Department, George Washington University, Georgia Institute of Emergency Medical Services, Michigan Online Classroom, Virginia Beach Sheriffs Office, Washington Post
    Top Industries
    REVIEWERS
    University57%
    Computer Software Company14%
    Comms Service Provider14%
    Healthcare Company14%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Educational Organization29%
    University11%
    Government10%
    Computer Software Company6%
    REVIEWERS
    University33%
    Media Company17%
    Educational Organization17%
    Non Profit11%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Educational Organization20%
    Computer Software Company10%
    University8%
    Comms Service Provider8%
    Company Size
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business22%
    Midsize Enterprise22%
    Large Enterprise56%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business30%
    Midsize Enterprise13%
    Large Enterprise57%
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business36%
    Midsize Enterprise24%
    Large Enterprise40%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business27%
    Midsize Enterprise14%
    Large Enterprise59%
    Buyer's Guide
    Canvas LMS vs. Moodle
    March 2024
    Find out what your peers are saying about Canvas LMS vs. Moodle 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 Moodle is ranked 2nd in Learning Management Systems (LMS) with 26 reviews. Canvas LMS is rated 8.6, while Moodle is rated 8.0. 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 Moodle writes "Inexpensive and pretty easy to use, but not easily adaptable for an individual". Canvas LMS is most compared with Google Classroom, CYPHER Learning, Schoology Learning, Brightspace and Kajabi Course, whereas Moodle is most compared with Google Classroom, SAP SuccessFactors Learning, CYPHER Learning, Chamilo LMS and Disprz. See our Canvas LMS vs. Moodle 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.