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Blackboard Learning Management vs Google Classroom comparison

Blackboard and Google are both solutions in the Learning Management Systems (LMS) category. Blackboard is ranked #5 with an average rating of 7.8, while Google is ranked #4 with an average rating of 7.9. Blackboard holds a 2.0% mindshare in LMS, compared to Google’s 3.4% mindshare. Additionally, 90% of Blackboard users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 96% of Google users who would recommend it.
Blackboard Learning Management
Read 10 Blackboard Learning Management reviews
  • 1,959 Views
  • 1,508 Comparison Views
90% willing to recommend
Google Classroom
Read 26 Google Classroom reviews
  • 1,442 Views
  • 1,442 Comparison Views
96% willing to recommend
 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Jul 27, 2025

Blackboard Learning Management and Google Classroom are competing in the educational content management category. Google Classroom has an edge with pricing and support, while Blackboard is preferred for its robust features.

Features: Blackboard includes strong analytics, advanced course management, and broad integration capabilities. Google Classroom offers simplicity in assignment management, seamless G Suite integration, and effective communication tools.

Room for Improvement: Blackboard could benefit from simplifying its deployment process and lowering costs associated with its comprehensive offerings. Its interface may still appear complex to some users. Google Classroom can expand its feature set to rival more comprehensive platforms and improve offline functionality. Its limited customization options may also be a drawback compared to others.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Blackboard's deployment requires technical expertise but offers extensive customer service options. Google Classroom is quick to deploy with an intuitive setup, leveraging Google's support structure. Its ease of deployment appeals to institutions needing minimal setup complexity.

Pricing and ROI: Blackboard involves higher setup costs that align with its advanced capabilities, offering a substantial ROI through its rich features. Google Classroom, part of the free G Suite for Education, provides a cost-effective solution with a high value for budget-conscious institutions. Its low-cost entry point delivers an efficient return focused on core functionalities.

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Buyer's Guide
Blackboard Learning Management vs. Google Classroom
July 2025
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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Categories and Ranking

Blackboard Learning Management
Ranking in Learning Management Systems (LMS)
5th
Average Rating
8.0
Reviews Sentiment
5.9
Number of Reviews
10
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Google Classroom
Ranking in Learning Management Systems (LMS)
4th
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
6.5
Number of Reviews
26
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of August 2025, in the Learning Management Systems (LMS) category, the mindshare of Blackboard Learning Management is 2.0%, down from 2.2% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Google Classroom is 3.4%, down from 10.1% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Learning Management Systems (LMS)
 

Featured Reviews

James Phelps - PeerSpot reviewer
Expandable with good real-time live interactions but is very expensive
Initially, Blackboard had problems for faculty members who were forced to use it to try to get it set up and running. That said, over time, they improved that. Unfortunately, due to its licensing requirements on standalone systems, like at a university on our servers, we run into problems where we can only set it up in one way. The way you teach a biology class is not the way you teach a social science class, for example. It's not flexible. Often you are forced into compromising in such a manner that neither group would be happy. If you need help, the help desk in-house will provide 24-hour help to both students and faculty. That means you have eight people, eight hours a day, supervisors, and an overall manager. It takes at least 12 people to handle maintenance for a 10,000-person campus for 24-hour coverage.
Read full review
Wafaa Salah - PeerSpot reviewer
User-Friendly Platform with Valuable Features but Needs Improvement in Pool of Questions and Statistics
The integration with Google Workspace is great because we have many tools such as Google Meet, Google Sheets, and Google Drive. However, the space is very limited. We purchased extra space until it reached 100 gigabytes. I have been using Google since having a Gmail account in 2001 when I was a student. Google Classroom allows me to make quizzes and assignments for students with random ordering, but I would appreciate having a pool of questions feature. For example, having 1000 questions and extracting 20 for each student would allow every student to have a different version. Currently, while using quizzes, every question appears to every student, though the order might differ. Adding the pool of questions would be beneficial. Having statistics while students take their exams would be helpful - showing how many students submitted, how many are in progress, and how many have not started the quiz. Having a log file to track students who opened documents would be valuable. In Moodle, I can see which students opened files, downloaded them, or watched videos. This feature is not available in Google Classroom, which is why I prefer other applications with more powerful statistics to trace student performance.
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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Pros

"Blackboard enables instructors to collectively gather all the grading data into one place. If students upload content or post it to a Google Doc, I can do my grading and calculate the grades. It is an excellent holding place for all of that data"
"One of Blackboard's strengths is its historical prominence as a leading LMS for universities in the US and Europe a decade or more ago."
"The solution is easy to use."
"One of the most important features is the possibility of creating unlimited subdomains."
"The modules and courses are flexible."
"It encompasses various components, including course delivery modules, content management, community engagement features, digital classrooms, and mobile integration."
"It is scalable."
"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."
"The most valuable feature of Google Classroom is the ability to share my lectures with many students, assign tasks to be completed, and overall student engagement."
"The product's UI is good and user-friendly."
"The most valuable feature of Google Classroom is the ability to meet people and it is online."
"I would rate the initial setup a nine out of ten. It is very straightforward."
"I find Jamboard to be a great tool for supporting classroom activities."
"This solution integrates with all the other Google apps including Google Calendar and Google Docs. This makes it very easy to manage."
"What I liked most about Google Classroom is it was very easy to communicate with the students and simple for me to learn even though it was the first time I was using it. I was able to learn the features very well by navigating through the different discussions forums and becoming proficient, not necessarily a master but knowledgeable in using the solution. The ease of use was the best feature."
More Google Classroom pros
 

Cons

"The solution must provide better integration with third-party software."
"The solution is not flexible."
"Blackboard has limitations in terms of delivering content and assessing student assignments because it can't handle large file sizes. It's also limited in its ability to track student activity. Instructors can see the student's most recent login, but they can't follow the activity."
"Blackboard could benefit from significant improvements in its data storage and software functionality to remain competitive with more innovative LMS solutions."
"It would be ideal to create a more responsive or more intuitive template for access from telephones or tablets."
"The system falls short in terms of managing assessments and exams effectively."
"The solution's GUI is an area of concern currently that can be considered for improvement in the future."
"The stability could be improved."
"The product must provide different plans for different customers so that we can pay for only what we use."
"The product's UI needs improvement."
"Technical support from Google has been very frustrating in unrelated areas like Google Pay and Google Wallet. It has been quite challenging, with unresolved tickets and a lack of response creating lots of frustration."
"The initial setup is not very easy. It has modern complexity."
"I would like to see a master list of documents with folder names so that it is more convenient for students to know whether they have submitted a particular document. At present, you need to go to each classroom to check what you have submitted."
"Google Classroom could improve by having better integration with other platforms, such as Google Meet."
More Google Classroom cons
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"At the beginning, you can choose a basic plan. As your users grow you can buy a more expensive license."
"The product pricing tends to be higher than alternatives."
"The price of Google Classroom has been reasonable."
"I use the free version of Google Classroom."
"Google Classroom is free to use."
"Google Classroom is a free solution. There is paid version that has more options, the cost is approximately eight dollars per student per month."
"My child's school made payments on a subscription-based model to use Google Classroom."
"There are competitors that offer free solutions, making the price of Google Classroom high."
"The solution is affordable."
"The product offers a yearly based license."
More Google Classroom pricing and cost advice
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
University
23%
Educational Organization
18%
Government
9%
Computer Software Company
7%
Educational Organization
26%
Manufacturing Company
11%
University
11%
Computer Software Company
8%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Blackboard Learning Management?
The modules and courses are flexible.
See all answers
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Blackboard Learning Management?
The product pricing tends to be higher than alternatives like Canvas, making Blackboard more suitable for larger universities with substantial budgets.
See all answers
What needs improvement with Blackboard Learning Management?
To make Blackboard Learning Management better, I believe maintaining, updating, and upgrading the content is the key success factor for the platform to provide value to students.
See all answers
What do you like most about Google Classroom?
The product's UI is good and user-friendly.
See all answers
What needs improvement with Google Classroom?
The integration with Google Workspace is great because we have many tools such as Google Meet, Google Sheets, and Google Drive. However, the space is very limited. We purchased extra space until it...
See all answers
What is your primary use case for Google Classroom?
I'm not creating classrooms using Google Classroom, as I join courses that other professors have created. Our university works with Outlook and Teams, but I still use Google Classroom when joining ...
See all answers
 

Comparisons

No data available
Moodle vs Google Classroom Logo
Moodle vs Google Classroom
Compared 52% of the time
Canvas LMS vs Google Classroom Logo
Canvas LMS vs Google Classroom
Compared 12% of the time
EduWave vs Google Classroom Logo
EduWave vs Google Classroom
Compared 10% of the time
More Google Classroom Competitors
 

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide
Blackboard Learning Management
August 2025
Blackboard Learning Management reportDownload Blackboard Learning Management product report
Buyer's Guide
Google Classroom
August 2025
Google Classroom reportDownload Google Classroom product report
 

Overview

Blackboard Learning Management System (LMS) is a comprehensive platform designed to enhance the teaching and learning experience in educational institutions. With its user-friendly interface and robust features, Blackboard LMS enables educators to create, deliver, and manage online courses effectively. Blackboard LMS is facilitates communication and collaboration among students and instructors. The platform's built-in discussion boards, chat rooms, and messaging systems enable real-time interaction and engagement, fostering a sense of community and allowing students to participate actively in the learning process.

Blackboard LMS also provides a full set of tools for content creation and management. Educators can easily upload and organize course materials, including documents, videos, and multimedia resources. The platform supports various file formats, making it convenient for instructors to deliver diverse content to their students.

Assessment and grading are simplified with Blackboard LMS. Educators can create online quizzes, assignments, and exams, and even set automated grading criteria. This saves time and effort, while also providing students with immediate feedback on their performance. The platform also offers grade book functionality, allowing instructors to track and manage student progress easily.

Blackboard LMS features robust analytics and reporting capabilities. Educators can access detailed data on student engagement, performance, and participation, enabling them to identify areas for improvement and tailor their teaching strategies accordingly. This data-driven approach enhances the effectiveness of instruction and supports personalized learning.

Blackboard LMS is also highly customizable, allowing institutions to tailor the platform to their specific needs. It integrates seamlessly with other educational tools and systems, ensuring a smooth workflow and enhancing the overall learning experience.

Blackboard Learning Management System is a powerful and versatile platform that empowers educators to deliver engaging and effective online courses. With its comprehensive features, user-friendly interface, and customizable options, Blackboard LMS is a valuable tool for educational institutions seeking to enhance their teaching and learning environment.

Blackboard

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.

Google
 

Sample Customers

University of Derby, University of Warwick, John Moore's University
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
Buyer's Guide
Blackboard Learning Management vs. Google Classroom
July 2025
Free Report: Blackboard Learning Management vs. Google Classroom
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