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 1.5% mindshare in LMS, compared to Google’s 2.7% 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

1,869 Views
1,439 Comparison Views

90% willing to recommend

Google Classroom

Read 26 Google Classroom reviews

1,301 Views
1,301 Comparison Views

96% willing to recommend

Blackboard Learning Management

Google Classroom

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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.

To learn more, read our detailed Blackboard Learning Management vs. Google Classroom Report (Updated: September 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Blackboard Learning Management vs. Google Classroom

September 2025

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Helped 867,341 peers since 2012

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

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

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of September 2025, in the Learning Management Systems (LMS) category, the mindshare of Blackboard Learning Management is 1.5%, down from 2.0% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Google Classroom is 2.7%, down from 9.8% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Learning Management Systems (LMS) Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
Google Classroom	2.7%
Blackboard Learning Management	1.5%
Other	95.8%

Learning Management Systems (LMS)

Featured Reviews

James Phelps

Adjunct Professor at Nova Southeastern University

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

Professor at a university with 1,001-5,000 employees

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

"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."

"It is scalable."

"It encompasses various components, including course delivery modules, content management, community engagement features, digital classrooms, and mobile integration."

"One of the most important features is the possibility of creating unlimited subdomains."

"The solution is easy to use."

"The modules and courses are flexible."

"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"

"Google Classroom is easy to use and intuitive, and it's not difficult to set up."

"The product is easy to use."

"I find Jamboard to be a great tool for supporting classroom activities."

"I would rate the initial setup a nine out of ten. It is very straightforward."

"Google Classroom is very effective for communication and excellent for assigning homework and resources."

"Google Classroom is simple to use."

"The most valuable feature of Google Classroom is the ability for the lecturer to put in work. Additionally, the work can be graded after completion, and there can be feedback provided through the system which has a good interface."

"Assigning a unique copy of Google Classroom to students and giving out information is what the solution excels at."

More Google Classroom pros

Cons

"The solution is not flexible."

"The system falls short in terms of managing assessments and exams effectively."

"The solution must provide better integration with third-party software."

"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 solution's GUI is an area of concern currently that can be considered for improvement in the future."

"Google Classroom could benefit from tools that help correct coding errors for students, thereby enhancing learning."

"The initial setup is not very easy. It has modern complexity."

"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 are a lot of things that need to be fixed in order for it to be called a learning management system. I think that's where a lot of people are very confused in terms of what Google Classroom actually does. Google Classroom is not a learning management system. A learning management system allows teachers to grade with authenticity and doesn't provide only one grade for a particular document or assignment."

"Google Classroom could improve by having better integration with other platforms, such as Google Meet."

"The initial setup of Google Classroom is straightforward. The deployment took us two to three months because we had to train the faculty."

"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."

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 solution is affordable."

"There are competitors that offer free solutions, making the price of Google Classroom high."

"My child's school made payments on a subscription-based model to use Google Classroom."

"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."

"I use the free version of Google Classroom."

"The product is free."

"For Google Classroom, you don't need to pay for its license because they offer free access to the platform."

"The tool is available for free."

More Google Classroom pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

University

23%

Educational Organization

18%

Government

10%

Computer Software Company

Educational Organization

29%

University

11%

Manufacturing Company

11%

Performing Arts

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	2
Midsize Enterprise	3
Large Enterprise	5

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	14
Midsize Enterprise	4
Large Enterprise	10

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?

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

Compared 48% of the time

Canvas LMS vs Google Classroom

Compared 13% of the time

EduWave vs Google Classroom

Compared 11% of the time

More Google Classroom Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Blackboard Learning Management

September 2025

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Buyer's Guide

Google Classroom

September 2025

Download 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

September 2025

Free Report: Blackboard Learning Management vs. Google Classroom

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