Try our new research platform with insights from 80,000+ expert users
Canvas LMS Logo

Canvas LMS Reviews

Vendor: Instructure
4.4 out of 5
Leave a review

What is Canvas LMS?

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.

Get the Canvas LMS Buyer's Guide and find out what your peers are saying about Canvas LMS, Cornerstone Learn, Moodle and more!
Canvas LMS is the #6 ranked solution in top Learning Management Systems. PeerSpot users give Canvas LMS an average rating of 8.8 out of 10. Canvas LMS is most commonly compared to Cornerstone Learn: Canvas LMS vs Cornerstone Learn. Canvas LMS is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 55% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a educational organization, accounting for 19% of all views.
Buyer's Guide
Canvas LMS
August 2025
Get the report
Helped 866,218 peers since 2012

Featured Canvas LMS reviews

Read more reviews

Canvas LMS mindshare

As of August 2025, the mindshare of Canvas LMS in the Learning Management Systems (LMS) category stands at 4.7%, down from 4.8% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Learning Management Systems (LMS) Market Share Distribution
ProductMarket Share (%)
Canvas LMS4.7%
Moodle9.4%
Cornerstone Learn8.5%
Other77.4%
Learning Management Systems (LMS)

PeerResearch reports based on Canvas LMS reviews

TypeTitleDate
CategoryLearning Management Systems (LMS)Aug 29, 2025Download
ProductReviews, tips, and advice from real usersAug 29, 2025Download
ComparisonCanvas LMS vs MoodleAug 29, 2025Download
ComparisonCanvas LMS vs SAP SuccessFactors LearningAug 29, 2025Download
ComparisonCanvas LMS vs CYPHER LearningAug 29, 2025Download
Suggested products
TitleRatingMindshareRecommending
Cornerstone Learn4.18.5%100%29 interviewsAdd to research
Moodle4.09.4%93%29 interviewsAdd to research
 
 
Key learnings from peers

Valuable Features

Canvas LMS offers a robust hierarchy for class organization, seamless API integration, and extensive features like integrated Zoom, assignment sections, and grade tracking. Its user-friendly interface and easy adaptability make it popular among top educational institutions. The platform excels in collaboration, discussion capabilities, and integration with other educational tools using simple API methods. Canvas LMS has excellent analytics and reporting features, and its scalability and mobile compatibility enhance its appeal to large universities globally.
  • "Canvas LMS is user-friendly. Its assessment tools help to find the weaknesses and strengths of students."
  • "The assessment tools in Canvas significantly contribute to educational outcomes by allowing instructors to create and manage assessments effectively."
  • "We have been using Canvas LMS, and overall, it has served our needs well for managing courses and general settings."

Room for Improvement

Canvas LMS requires improvement in several areas. Users find the learning curve moderate, and the integration with software like ArcGIS could be better. Teleconferencing and real-time reporting are desired features. Cost is a concern due to the pricing structure and licensing model. Discussions are seen as unresponsive, and additional AI capabilities would be beneficial. Integration with a talent management system and enhanced authoring tools are suggested for increased functionality and cost-effectiveness.
  • "Integrating more AI capabilities for the product could enhance its functionality, particularly in automating repetitive tasks and personalizing learning experiences."
  • "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."
  • "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."

ROI

Canvas LMS users say the platform has improved accreditation and external monitoring.

Pricing

Canvas LMS offers competitive pricing, favored especially by larger academic institutions due to its annual subscription model. While seen as affordable compared to many vendors, the mandatory yearly payment and additional fees for extra features may present challenges. Pricing can be restrictive for smaller organizations with limited budgets. Although users find it affordable, the lack of flexible licensing based on actual usage raises effective costs, making alternative platforms worth consideration for some enterprises.
  • "The platform can be expensive for smaller organizations with fewer students."
  • "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"
  • "Canvas LMS is an affordable solution."

Popular Use Cases

Canvas LMS primarily supports both on-campus and remote course facilitation, content management, assignment submissions, and exam recordings, except for specific practical exams. Widely used by instructors to upload and manage various educational materials, it fosters communication and collaborations among students. Integrated with Zoom for live classes and organized with calendars for schedule access, it serves as a comprehensive learning management platform with features like gamification and automated assessment capabilities across diverse educational settings.

Service and Support

Canvas LMS offers several tech support options, including a 24/7 call center, though not all users find it efficient. Admin and API-level support is robust, with a strong community resolving issues quickly. Responses about technical support vary; some find it excellent, while others suggest it needs improvement due to delays. Online documentation and community support are considered sufficient by many, and the feedback from large teams is generally positive with no significant complaints.

Deployment

Users find Canvas LMS's initial setup straightforward and user-friendly, highlighting its ease compared to other platforms like Blackboard. The installation is quick, manageable by one person, and accessible across various devices including phones and laptops. Some entities experience minor communication delays during the setup process. However, the platform allows educators to build courses efficiently without needing extensive technical knowledge, despite some users noting occasional complexity in creating tool screens and formatting issues.

Scalability

Canvas LMS is regarded as highly scalable, effectively supporting thousands at various institutions, including educational programs across states. Its usage spans numerous departments and educational levels, accommodating diverse needs. Users report no scalability issues, and the platform efficiently integrates into different teaching environments, from traditional classrooms to online courses. Its extensive deployment at a university covering multiple departments and the high utilization by students and teachers highlights its adaptability and scalability across large and small institutions.

Stability

Canvas LMS is very stable. Users report few glitches and no need for emergency patches during semesters. Many give it a high rating for stability. Initial loading issues have been resolved, and outages are rare and brief. Stability has significantly improved over the years, supporting educational use effectively.
These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.
Download our Canvas LMS Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business1
Midsize Enterprise2
Large Enterprise5
By reviewers
By visitors reading reviews
Company SizeCount
Small Business36
Midsize Enterprise21
Large Enterprise70
By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews
Educational Organization
19%
University
18%
Manufacturing Company
9%
Non Profit
9%
Government
6%
Construction Company
5%
Healthcare Company
4%
Comms Service Provider
4%
Recreational Facilities/Services Company
4%
Insurance Company
4%
Media Company
2%
Financial Services Firm
2%
Outsourcing Company
2%
Performing Arts
2%
Computer Software Company
2%
Transportation Company
2%
Energy/Utilities Company
1%
Real Estate/Law Firm
1%
Hospitality Company
1%
Wholesaler/Distributor
1%
Logistics Company
1%
Mining And Metals Company
1%
Legal Firm
1%
Non Tech Company
1%

Compare Canvas LMS with alternative products

Go!

Learn more about Canvas LMS

Canvas LMS customers

Pragmatic Group, MRWED Training and Assessment, RedHill Education

Related questions

  • 31
What are the top learning management systems for corporations?
  • 9
Which LMS is suitable for my apps?
  • 16
Compare learning content: Skillsoft vs Lynda
  • 15
When evaluating Learning Management Systems, what aspect do you think is the most important to look for?
  • 13
When evaluating Virtual Training, what aspect do you think is the most important to look for?
  • 9
Why is Learning Management Systems (LMS) important for companies?
  • 18
Which LMS offers the best value for the money and why?
  • 24
Why are Learning Management Systems important for companies?

Product Categories

Product Categories
Learning Management Systems (LMS)

Popular Comparisons

Popular Comparisons
Cornerstone Learn vs Canvas LMS Logo
Cornerstone Learn vs Canvas LMS
Moodle vs Canvas LMS Logo
Moodle vs Canvas LMS
SAP SuccessFactors Learning vs Canvas LMS Logo
SAP SuccessFactors Learning vs Canvas LMS
CYPHER Learning vs Canvas LMS Logo
CYPHER Learning vs Canvas LMS
Google Classroom vs Canvas LMS Logo
Google Classroom vs Canvas LMS
Kajabi Course vs Canvas LMS Logo
Kajabi Course vs Canvas LMS
Totara Learn vs Canvas LMS Logo
Totara Learn vs Canvas LMS
Schoology Learning vs Canvas LMS Logo
Schoology Learning vs Canvas LMS
Brightspace vs Canvas LMS Logo
Brightspace vs Canvas LMS
Rise vs Canvas LMS Logo
Rise vs Canvas LMS
See all alternatives
 
Canvas LMS Reviews Summary
Author infoRatingReview Summary
Learning Magic Solutions | Managing Director at CTI5.0I've used and sold Canvas LMS for three years; it's affordable, stable, user-friendly, highly integrative, and scalable. While improvements like better gamification and authoring tools are needed, its strong support and cloud infrastructure make it a top choice.
Director of Extension and Linkage. North Zone Rectory at a university with 10,001+ employees4.0As a satisfied user of Canvas LMS, I find it effective for course management. However, its annual licensing model is costly, and lacks crucial features like adaptive learning and AI integration, unlike platforms that offer more flexibility and technology enhancements.
Principle Product Manager at a healthcare company with 10,001+ employees3.5I primarily use Canvas LMS for managing educational content and class communication. Its Zoom integration stands out for easy access to live sessions, though the discussion feature needs improvement. The system is valuable but perceived as costly.
Adjunct Professor at Nova Southeastern University4.5No summary available
Learning Magic Solutions | Managing Director at CTI5.0Canvas LMS is praised as the top learning management system worldwide, widely adopted by leading institutions. Its large community and robust infrastructure make it easy to use and integrate. However, it could be enhanced by integration with a talent management system.
Automation Evangelist at TeamDynamix Solutions LLC4.5No summary available
Temporary EPA and Faculty at a university with 1,001-5,000 employees4.5No summary available
Thinkium Ambassador at Thinkium Foundation4.0Canvas LMS offers easy access and facilitates efficient design creation. However, it could benefit from upgrades and improvements. I haven't used or considered other solutions, nor specified a cloud provider.