Moodle vs Canvas: which LMS is better?

Moodle and Canvas are two of the most popular learning management systems (LMS) used in educational institutions. Both platforms have their strengths and weaknesses, and the choice between them will depend on the specific needs and requirements of the institution or organization.

Moodle vs. Canvas: A quick review

One of the main advantages of Moodle over Canvas is its flexibility. Moodle is an open-source LMS, which means that it can be customized and modified to meet the specific needs of an institution or organization. This allows institutions to tailor the platform to their unique requirements, such as adding new features, integrating with other systems, or adapting the interface to match their branding.

Another advantage of Moodle is its support for a wide range of activities and resources. Moodle includes various built-in activities, such as forums, quizzes, and assignments, which can be used to create engaging and interactive learning experiences. Additionally, Moodle supports a wide range of file types, making it easy to upload and share different types of resources, such as videos, images, and documents.

The platform also has a good track record of providing a robust and reliable platform, with a large user base, which means that there is a wealth of community-created resources, plugins, tutorials, and support available. Moodle also has a long history, and it has been designed with pedagogy in mind. On the other hand, Canvas is a closed-source LMS, which means that customization options are more limited, but it is known for its user-friendly interface, which makes it easy for instructors and students to navigate. This LMS also has a range of built-in features, such as a grade book, analytics, and calendar, which can help manage coursework and communication.

Basic features comparison

Moodle vs. Canvas: Comparing

Scope of use

The scope of use for Moodle and Canvas can vary depending on the type of institution or organization that is using the platform.

Moodle is a widely used LMS that has a broad scope of use, spanning from primary schools to universities. It is suitable for both traditional classroom settings and online learning environments. It is also used by private and public sector organizations: businesses, non-profit organizations, and government agencies.

Canvas is also primarily used in higher education institutions. It is designed to meet the specific needs of colleges and universities, such as managing coursework, assignments, and grading. Canvas is also used by some K-12 schools and some businesses, but it is less common than Moodle.

It’s worth mentioning that both platforms can meet the needs of a wide range of educational institutions and organizations, but the specific features and capabilities may vary depending on the version and customization of the platform used. Additionally, the decision to use one platform over the other may also depend on factors such as the size of the institution, the type of courses offered, and the level of support and resources available.

Ease of use

The interface and ease of use of Moodle and Canvas can vary depending on the specific version and customization of the platform used. However, in general, the two platforms have some differences in terms of their interface and ease of use.

Moodle has a powerful but complex interface that may require training for optimal use. The platform includes a wide range of features and capabilities, and it can take some time for users to become familiar with all the different options and settings. This complexity can also make it more difficult for instructors and students to navigate the platform and find the resources and tools they need. Canvas has a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate for both instructors and students. The platform has a clean and simple layout, with intuitive navigation and clear labels. This makes it easy for users to find the resources and tools they need, and to manage their coursework and assignments. Additionally, Canvas has a simple grade book, calendar, and analytics that are easy to access and use.

Customization

Moodle and Canvas have different levels of customizability, which can affect the ability to tailor the platform to the specific needs of an institution or organization.

One of the main advantages of Moodle is its open-source nature, which allows for a high level of customizability. Because the source code is freely available, developers can modify and customize the platform to meet the specific needs of an institution or organization. This includes adding new features, integrating with other systems, and adapting the interface to match branding. Explore how we integrated Moodle with Clever. Additionally, Moodle has a large community of users, which means there are a lot of third-party plugins, themes, and other resources available to further enhance and customize the platform.

In contrast, Canvas is a closed-source Learning Management System (LMS), thus providing fewer opportunities for customization. While Canvas is equipped with various in-built features, it is less adaptable than Moodle when it comes to personalizing the platform. Furthermore, Canvas has a restricted selection of customization options, including themes and branding choices. To summarize, the level of customizability also depends on the technical resources and expertise available at the institution or organization. An institution with a dedicated IT team and the resources to develop custom features may have an easier time customizing an open-source platform like Moodle, while an institution with limited technical resources may find it easier to use a closed-source platform like Canvas.

Integration

Moodle has a wide range of third-party plugins and integrations available, which allows institutions to integrate the platform with other systems such as Single Sign-On, Student Information Systems, Learning Analytics, and Communication tools. This flexibility allows institutions to use Moodle in conjunction with other tools and systems they already have in place, which can help to streamline processes and improve the overall user experience.

Canvas, in its turn, has a range of built-in features and integrations, such as Google Docs, Turnitin, and Office 365. While these integrations are useful and can help to improve the functionality of the platform, the range of integrations is not as wide as in Moodle. Additionally, Canvas integrations are designed to work with Canvas, and may not be as flexible as Moodle in terms of integrating with other systems that are not already supported.The level of integration of both platforms may also depend on the specific version and customization of the platform used. Institutions should evaluate both platforms with their specific requirements and use cases before making a final decision.

Performance

Performance refers to the speed and efficiency with which a platform can handle many users and handle a large amount of data. Both Moodle and Canvas are designed to handle large numbers of users and large amounts of data, but there can be some differences in terms of performance between the two platforms.

Moodle is built using PHP programming language and MySQL database, which makes it relatively fast and efficient in handling numerous users and large amounts of data. Additionally, Moodle’s open-source nature allows for customization and optimization to improve performance.

Canvas is built using Ruby on Rails and uses a PostgreSQL database. It is designed to handle large numbers of users and large amounts of data, but it may be slower than Moodle, and the performance may depend on the specific version and customization of the platform used.The performance of both platforms can be affected by factors such as the configuration of the server, the number of concurrent users, the amount of data being handled, and the level of customization and integration with other systems. Additionally, it can also be affected by the level of support and resources available to maintain and optimize the platform.

Security

Security refers to the measures taken to protect the platform and its users from unauthorized access, data breaches, and other security threats. Both Moodle and Canvas have implemented security measures to protect the platform and its users, but there can be some differences in terms of security between the two platforms.

Moodle has a built-in security feature such as support for secure login and authentication, password encryption, and user roles and permissions. Additionally, Moodle’s open-source nature allows for customization and integration with other security tools. The platform also has a built-in security checker that can help users identify and fix security issues on their site. However, since it is open source, it also depends on the institution or organization to take the necessary steps to ensure the security of the platform.

Canvas also has built-in security features too. It also has a built-in security checker that can help users identify and fix security issues on their site. Additionally, Canvas is built on Ruby on Rails, which is considered to be a more secure framework than PHP, which is the language Moodle is built on. Furthermore, Canvas is a commercial product and has a team dedicated to security and compliance, which may provide an additional layer of security. It’s worth noting that while both platforms have security features, it is still important to implement best practices for security and conduct regular security audits to ensure that the platform is secure and to protect the data of the users.

Accessibility

Moodle and Canvas have built-in accessibility features, but there can be some differences between the two platforms in terms of the level of support for accessibility standards and the range of accessibility-related features and capabilities.

Moodle has built-in accessibility features such as support for keyboard navigation, high-contrast themes, and support screen readers. Additionally, Moodle’s open-source nature allows for further customization and integration with other accessibility tools. The platform also has a built-in accessibility checker that can help users identify and fix accessibility issues on their site.

Canvas also has built-in accessibility features, but it may not be as robust as Moodle. Canvas also has a built-in accessibility checker that can help users identify and fix accessibility issues on their site. Additionally, Canvas has a set of accessibility guidelines that outline best practices for creating accessible content on the platform. It’s important to note that while both platforms have accessibility features, it is important to test the platform with users with disabilities to ensure that it meets their needs and is fully accessible.

Maintenance and Support

The level of maintenance and support for Moodle and Canvas can vary depending on the specific version and customization of the platform used. However, in general, the two platforms have some differences in terms of their level of maintenance and support.

Moodle, has a large community of developers, educators, and users that contribute to the development of the platform. This means that there are many resources available for users to troubleshoot and fix issues, such as documentation, forums, and third-party plugins. Additionally, many institutions have in-house IT teams that can handle the maintenance and support of the platform. However, since it is open-source, it may require more technical knowledge to maintain and support. Canvas has a dedicated support team that can assist with troubleshooting and fixing issues, as well as providing updates and upgrades to the platform. Additionally, Canvas has a range of support options, such as phone, email, and chat support, which can help to ensure that users have access to the support they need.

Price

The price of Moodle and Canvas can vary depending on the specific version and customization of the platform used, as well as the level of support and resources needed. However, in general, there are some differences in the pricing models for the two platforms.

Moodle, being an open-source platform, is free to download and use. However, institutions and organizations may need to invest in resources such as hosting, technical support, and development costs to set up and maintain the platform. Additionally, some third-party plugins and themes may require a separate licence or subscription fee.

Canvas is a closed-source platform, which means that institutions and organizations need to pay for a licence to use the software. The pricing model for Canvas is typically based on a subscription fee that is charged on a per-student or per-user basis. Additionally, the pricing may vary depending on the level of support and resources needed.

While Moodle’s open-source nature can make it a more cost-effective option in the long run, especially for institutions or organizations with the technical resources to set up and maintain the platform, Canvas can be a more straightforward option for institutions or organizations that prefer a commercial LMS and don’t have the technical resources to customize and maintain an open-source platform.

Which LMS to go for

Moodle and Canvas are both popular Learning Management Systems (LMS) that have their strengths and weaknesses. The decision to use one platform over the other will depend on the specific needs of an institution or organization.

Moodle is a widely used LMS that is suitable for both traditional classroom settings and online learning environments. Its open-source nature allows for a high level of customizability, making it a good choice for institutions or organizations with specific needs. Additionally, Moodle is more commonly used in primary and secondary schools, vocational schools, and non-profit organizations, and it is particularly well-suited for institutions with limited technical resources.

Canvas is primarily used in higher education institutions. Its user-friendly interface, analytics, and grade book make it easy for instructors and students to navigate and manage coursework and assignments, it is a good choice for institutions that want a more straightforward option for managing coursework, assignments, and grading. Additionally, Canvas is particularly well-suited for institutions that want to take advantage of the built-in analytics, course export, and import features, and that have the resources to pay for the subscription fee.In conclusion, it should be noted, that both platforms can meet the needs of a wide range of educational institutions and organizations, but the specific features and capabilities may vary depending on the version and customization of the platform used. Additionally, the decision to use one platform over the other may also depend on factors such as the size of the institution, the type of courses offered, the level of support and resources available, and the budget.

Does your LMS software missing features you need? Contact our team to find software that fits your needs.