# Canvas Software 2026: Features, Integrations, Pros & Cons | Capterra

> Capterra's in-depth exploration of Canvas Software's capabilities reveals its suitability for various software needs and provides a comprehensive overview of Canvas Software pricing, features, integrations, and potential alternatives.

Source: https://www.capterra.com/p/127214/CANVAS

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# 

 Canvas Software Review 2026: Features, Integrations, Pros & Cons

Last updated on August 6, 2025

Written byEmilie Audubert

Emilie Audubert

Content Analyst

Emilie is an expert in the human resources field, with a particular interest in digital tools to help human resources professionals streamline their day-to-day processes. Emilie’s research encompasses a wide array of topics, from the latest tr...

[See bio & all articles](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/emilie-audubert/)

Content Analyst

Edited byMehar Luthra

Mehar Luthra

Content Editor

Mehar has been a team lead at Capterra for nearly three years, helping shape educational articles, thought leadership research reports, and content designed to help businesses compare software to find the best fit. She's spent nearly a decade...

[See bio & all articles](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/mehar-luthra/)

Content Editor

Written by [Emilie Audubert](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/emilie-audubert/)

Content Analyst

Emilie is an expert in the human resources field, with a particular interest in digital tools to help human resources professionals streamline their day-to-day processes. Emilie’s research encompasses a wide array of topics, from the latest trends in talent management to innovative strategies for enhancing employee engagement.

Edited by [Mehar Luthra](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/mehar-luthra/)

Content Editor

Mehar has been a team lead at Capterra for nearly three years, helping shape educational articles, thought leadership research reports, and content designed to help businesses compare software to find the best fit. She's spent nearly a decade in the editorial space, having served as a content writer, editor, editorial head, and now as a team lead.

[Key takeaways](#key-takeaways)[Our verdict](#our-verdict)[Alternatives](#alternatives)[Users](#users)[Pros and Cons](#pros-cons)[Interface](#interface)[Features](#features)[Pricing](#pricing)[Integrations](#integrations)[Support](#support)[Reviews](#reviews)

Canvas

Canvas Overview:

### Key takeaways

Insights from verified Capterra reviews

Canvas is a learning management system used by small businesses and education-focused teams in higher education and online learning. It helps instructors organize materials and track progress with mobile access and activity dashboards. Canvas is a practical choice for small to midsize organizations needing flexible course delivery and engagement tracking, though some may need deeper customization for specific learning needs.

### Our verdict

It offers a structured learning environment that supports both asynchronous and instructor-led formats. Some users face an adjustment period and occasional glitches, but those who invest in setup and training report strong, long-term efficiency gains.

Top alternative

Featured

Overall rating

Based on 4,308 user reviews

Reviews sentiment

Positive

94%

Neutral

5%

Negative

1%

Pros & cons

Comprehensive online learning platform

Efficient course organization features

Frequent technical glitches and crashes

Overwhelming and inconsistent notifications

Contact vendor  
for pricing

Free trial  
available

Capterra Shortlist charts the highest-rated and most popular products...

Our "Best of" badge program showcases products with the highest ratings...

Our "Best of" badge program showcases products with the highest ratings...

Do you work for Canvas?[Manage this product listing](https://digitalmarkets.gartner.com/get-listed/claim-bx?url=http://www.instructure.com&name=Canvas)

## Compare with a popular alternative

Capterra selects software alternatives based on relevant features, verified user reviews and user interactions. Placement may be influenced by client status.

### Canvas

4.6 (4,308)

VS.

[4.8 (164)](https://www.capterra.com/p/135075/Classe365/reviews/)

Starting Price

Contact vendor

Starting Price

$100

Flat Rate, Per Month

Free Trial

Free Version

Pricing Options

Free Trial

Free Version

Ease Of Use

4.4 (4,303)

Ease Of Use

4.6 (3,369)

Value For Money

4.5 (2,488)

Value For Money

4.6 (2,090)

Customer Service

4.3 (2,684)

Customer Service

4.8 (2,137)

## Canvas alternatives

Canvas may not suit every organization—especially those seeking built-in course authoring tools, native SCORM support, or faster setup for non-instructional teams. If that’s the case, there are other LMS options worth exploring.

[4.5 (128)](https://www.capterra.com/p/172471/Cypher-Learning/reviews/)

Starting price

$10000.00

Per User, Per Month

[4.7 (114)](https://www.capterra.com/p/155900/Classter/reviews/)

Starting price

Contact vendor for pricing

[Moodle](https://www.capterra.com/p/80691/Moodle/)

[4.3 (3,374)](https://www.capterra.com/p/80691/Moodle/reviews/)

Starting price

$130.00

Per User, Per Month

[Learn More](https://www.capterra.com/p/80691/Moodle/)

[Blackboard](https://www.capterra.com/p/14500/Blackboard-LMS-for-Business/)

[4.1 (536)](https://www.capterra.com/p/14500/Blackboard-LMS-for-Business/reviews/)

Starting price

$9500.00

Per User, Per Month

[Learn More](https://www.capterra.com/p/14500/Blackboard-LMS-for-Business/)

[View all alternatives](https://www.capterra.com/p/127214/CANVAS/alternatives/)

## Who uses Canvas?

Based on Capterra reviews from the past year

Talk to a software expert

to get a free software list  
tailored to your business needs

## Pros and Cons

Comprehensive online learning platform

96% positive reviews out of 395

Most users report online learning is streamlined, flexible, and accessible, supporting diverse courses and remote education.

Lisa C

Consultant, 11 - 50 employees.

"streamlines the online learning experience, making it easier for educators to manage courses and for students to access materials and track their progress."

Frequent technical glitches and crashes

73% negative reviews out of 574

Most users report bugs and issues disrupt workflow, causing lost work, slow loading, and unreliable connectivity.

Luke W

Company Emlpoyee , 11 - 50 employees.

"What I didn't like about canvas was how slow the connection was, pages wern't loading and it was vary time consuming"

Efficient course organization features

94% positive reviews out of 248

Most reviewers find organization tools help manage classes, assignments, and schedules, improving workflow and clarity.

Overwhelming and inconsistent notifications

54% negative reviews out of 174

Some reviewers describe notifications as excessive, delayed, or confusing, making it difficult to manage updates and alerts.

Marco G

Full time higher education student, 1 employee.

"One of the least likable aspects of Canvas is its notification system, which can feel overwhelming if not managed properly."

Centralized progress tracking tools

95% positive reviews out of 206

Most reviewers describe tracking progress as straightforward, with organized gradebooks, assignment calendars, and real-time updates.

Emily S

Student, 10,001+ employees.

"Canvas has allowed me to go through college in an organized manner and keeping track of my grades all throughout one application."

Limited and confusing email system

49% negative reviews out of 142

Some users say email communication is cumbersome, with delayed alerts, fragmented messaging, and unclear contact management.

## Canvas's interface

The platform uses a structured dashboard to track assignments and deadlines. Reviewers like its visual clarity and centralized layout, but some report navigation friction and clutter from outdated content.

2+

Emilie Audubert

Content Analyst

You’ll likely need time to adjust to Canvas’s layout, especially when managing multiple modules or navigating deep course structures. Reviewers say setup can feel overwhelming at first, but once configured, it supports consistent communication and grading.

Ease of Use

4.4 (4,303)

4.4

Based on 4,303 reviews

## Key features

View by:

These features have been rated as most important by users based on their reviews.

View by:

Get Advice

We can help you find the software with the features you need.

Emilie Audubert

Content Analyst

Canvas excels at managing course content and communication. Reviewers highlight its activity dashboard for quick oversight, automated grade calculations for transparency, and mobile access for staying on top of deadlines—key features for flexible learning.

Features

4.5 (4,295)

4.5

Based on 4,295 reviews

The features below have the most positive sentiment out of the Canvas reviews from the past two years. Our commentary is based on reviewer sentiment and represents reviewers' collective feedback.

Academic/education

4.6 (36)

36 reviewers rated this feature

Centralizes course content and communication in a structured environment for instructor-led and self-paced learning. Enables flexible course design and integrates calendars and assessments for streamlined academic delivery.

Mobile access

4.4 (226)

226 reviewers rated this feature

Lets students, teachers, and parents manage assignments, grades, and announcements from any location. The app mirrors desktop features, including quizzes and submissions, though some report occasional bugs.

Activity dashboard

4.4 (610)

610 reviewers rated this feature

Serves as a centralized hub for tracking assignments, deadlines, and course progress across classes. Helps users stay organized, though some note clutter from outdated items.

Grade calculations

4.4 (96)

96 reviewers rated this feature

Automates weighted grading and ‘what-if’ scenarios for transparency and time savings. Some users note occasional inaccuracies and limited manual adjustment options.

Learning management

4.4 (719)

719 reviewers rated this feature

Consolidates course materials, assignments, grades, and communication in one platform. This facilitates collaboration through discussion boards and announcements, with flexibility in course structure and progress tracking.

Interactive learning

4.3 (143)

143 reviewers rated this feature

Add quizzes, discussions, and multimedia within course content. Also supports real-time feedback and engagement, especially for remote or asynchronous learning.

Talent management

3.0 (32)

32 reviewers rated this feature

Supports basic tracking of learner progress and achievements.

Gamification

3.0 (49)

49 reviewers rated this feature

Offers tools for adding game-like elements to courses, such as badges or progress indicators.

SCORM compliance

3.1 (61)

61 reviewers rated this feature

Comply with the Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) framework.

Video conferencing

3.2 (75)

75 reviewers rated this feature

Enables live instruction and virtual meetings.

Certification & licensing

3.4 (80)

80 reviewers rated this feature

Lets institutions issue certificates or track licensing needs, but reviewers say the tools feel basic and lack automation or customization.

Employee training

3.4 (26)

26 reviewers rated this feature

Supports internal training but is geared toward academics. Reviewers note missing features for corporate learning paths.

Advanced analytics and reporting

0 reviewers rated this feature

Dashboards and data exports to monitor learner engagement, course effectiveness, and institutional performance across departments.

Blueprint courses

0 reviewers rated this feature

Enables centralized course design and content distribution across multiple sections or instructors. Admins can lock specific elements, push updates, and allow limited customization at the section level.

Canvas Studio (interactive video learning)

0 reviewers rated this feature

Adds quizzes, comments, and discussions to videos. Tracks engagement and integrates with grading tools for assessment.

Mastery paths (personalized learning paths)

0 reviewers rated this feature

Assigns content automatically based on performance. Instructors set rules to guide learners through custom modules without manual effort.

Gemini LTI integration

0 reviewers rated this feature

Canvas now includes Gemini LTI, an AI assistant powered by Google. It helps educators streamline lesson planning, generate interactive content, and support student creativity. (January 2025)

Khanmigo Teacher Tools integration

0 reviewers rated this feature

Embeds over 20 AI-powered tools directly into Canvas to help plan lessons, generate questions, draft communications, and prep substitutes. It also supports co-editing and modification of AI-generated content. (July 2024)

Intelligent Insights (AI-powered analytics)

0 reviewers rated this feature

A new standalone product focused on institutional analytics, helping educators and admins monitor LMS usage, personalize learning, and improve decision-making. (July 2024)

Context-aware partner integrations for AI experiences

0 reviewers rated this feature

Enables third-party tools to deliver personalized, context-aware AI support within Canvas. These integrations adapt to course content and user behavior to enhance learning workflows. (July 2024)

All key features (123)

Centralizes course content and communication in a structured environment for instructor-led and self-paced learning. Enables flexible course design and integrates calendars and assessments for streamlined academic delivery.

36 reviewers rated this feature

Define levels of authorization for access to specific files or systems

33.33% of 3 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Serves as a centralized hub for tracking assignments, deadlines, and course progress across classes. Helps users stay organized, though some note clutter from outdated items.

610 reviewers rated this feature

Track and document all activities across devices, networks, and other systems

46.48% of 71 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Dashboards and data exports to monitor learner engagement, course effectiveness, and institutional performance across departments.

0 reviewers rated this feature

Alerts or notifications of various types such as pop-up messages, sounds, banners, or badges

55.93% of 413 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Tools for the systematic analysis of various types of data or statistics

0% of 0 reviewers...

Application programming interface that allows for integration with other systems/databases

40.21% of 97 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Creation, administration, and evaluation of assessments or tests

48.58% of 282 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Assign issues and tasks based on availability or required skills

67.50% of 80 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Supports flexible learning at different times (i.e., learners can access course materials at their own pace)

53.65% of 397 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Manage attendance for classes, shifts, meetings, or events

38.36% of 73 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Track the attendance of specific individuals or groups

43.02% of 172 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Record audio and/or video

0.00% of 1 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Compare key metrics for the business against prominent players in the industry

0% of 0 reviewers...

Supports learning paths that combine in-person classes with online/virtual courses

45.02% of 211 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Block certain websites/applications from School IP that are not approved for students

0% of 0 reviewers...

Enables centralized course design and content distribution across multiple sections or instructors. Admins can lock specific elements, push updates, and allow limited customization at the section level.

0 reviewers rated this feature

Tools that allow users to create and publish courses and course material/content

43.00% of 100 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

LMS functionality built-in for content delivery

0% of 0 reviewers...

Track and manage schedules and meetings via an integrated calendar

59.09% of 44 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Adds quizzes, comments, and discussions to videos. Tracks engagement and integrates with grading tools for assessment.

0 reviewers rated this feature

Lets institutions issue certificates or track licensing needs, but reviewers say the tools feel basic and lack automation or customization.

80 reviewers rated this feature

Communicate using direct chat or messages within the system

75.00% of 4 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Schedule in-person or online classes

47.11% of 121 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Plan and schedule lessons and maintain students' behavior in the classroom

46.15% of 13 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Provides a channel for team members to share media files, communicate, and work together

50.00% of 130 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Leave comments and notes on documents for others to view

0% of 0 reviewers...

Manage and track all internal and external communication conducted via calls, email, text, or chat

55.96% of 361 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Track and report regulatory data to either internal management or external stakeholders

44.59% of 74 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Centralized repository to store content and assets

51.16% of 86 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Handles digital content throughout its lifecycle, from creation and storage to distribution and archiving

66.87% of 163 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Enables third-party tools to deliver personalized, context-aware AI support within Canvas. These integrations adapt to course content and user behavior to enhance learning workflows. (July 2024)

0 reviewers rated this feature

Software specialized for corporate use

56.25% of 16 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Developing custom training courses for educating employees or for teachers to create courses for their students

44.00% of 50 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Canvas helps you manage courses efficiently, keeping assignments, grades, and materials organized. Reviewers appreciate the structured layout, communication tools, and ability to duplicate or customize courses, though some mention occasional navigation confusion and reliance on instructor setup.

65.98% of 679 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Publish finished eLearning course in a compatible eLearning format (e.g., SCORM, xAPI).

53.33% of 30 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Track which progress and course materials have been completed by each user

58.39% of 435 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Map out the subjects that comprise courses of study

60.00% of 260 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Add customized logos and colors to align with company branding

32.29% of 96 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Tailored or customizable questions for more targeted and relevant data collection

66.67% of 27 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Alter the layout and content of reports

36.25% of 80 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Pre-designed layouts that can be customized to match preferences and requirements

63.16% of 19 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Import and export data to and from software applications

69.57% of 46 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Online forums/groups where users can ask questions, share ideas, best practices, etc.

33.33% of 3 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Store, manage, and track all electronic documents in a centralized location

53.24% of 139 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Store and organize documents in a centralized system

61.54% of 13 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Assemble applications and processes by dragging over and arranging pre-built components

43.24% of 74 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Software specialized for companies that sell courses/content

87.50% of 16 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Manage, store and organize emails within the system or via third-party apps

0% of 0 reviewers...

Supports internal training but is geared toward academics. Reviewers note missing features for corporate learning paths.

26 reviewers rated this feature

Tracks metrics that provide insight into how a user interacts with any interface or product

66.67% of 24 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Manage the enrollment and onboarding of all new members and accepted applications

50.00% of 4 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

A list of events with their respective dates

0% of 0 reviewers...

Track and manage staff profiles, recruitment, schedules, productivity, career development and performance

60.00% of 20 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Collecting, analyzing, and utilizing feedback from users or customers to improve a product or service

72.73% of 11 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Public or private sharing of digital files such as documents, audio/video, images, and more

120.00% of 5 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

The software is designed for classrooms

100.00% of 6 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Software designed for higher education organizations

64.68% of 269 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Designed to be used by kindergarten, primary, middle, and senior secondary schools.

0% of 0 reviewers...

Offers tools for adding game-like elements to courses, such as badges or progress indicators.

49 reviewers rated this feature

Canvas now includes Gemini LTI, an AI assistant powered by Google. It helps educators streamline lesson planning, generate interactive content, and support student creativity. (January 2025)

0 reviewers rated this feature

Automates weighted grading and ‘what-if’ scenarios for transparency and time savings. Some users note occasional inaccuracies and limited manual adjustment options.

96 reviewers rated this feature

Track student's scores and grades on course materials

63.26% of 264 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Review or test a specific candidate's skills

0% of 0 reviewers...

A new standalone product focused on institutional analytics, helping educators and admins monitor LMS usage, personalize learning, and improve decision-making. (July 2024)

0 reviewers rated this feature

Allow the audience to interact or engage with the content

82.35% of 17 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Add quizzes, discussions, and multimedia within course content. Also supports real-time feedback and engagement, especially for remote or asynchronous learning.

143 reviewers rated this feature

The ability of two or more systems to exchange information or data.

0% of 0 reviewers...

Software designed for kindergarten through 12th grade schools

100.00% of 2 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Embeds over 20 AI-powered tools directly into Canvas to help plan lessons, generate questions, draft communications, and prep substitutes. It also supports co-editing and modification of AI-generated content. (July 2024)

0 reviewers rated this feature

Students can access materials and communicate with instructors via their online student profile

64.84% of 347 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Consolidates course materials, assignments, grades, and communication in one platform. This facilitates collaboration through discussion boards and announcements, with flexibility in course structure and progress tracking.

719 reviewers rated this feature

Designing course materials to be completed in a sequential order for personalized learning purposes

48.45% of 161 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Tool for educators to create, organize, and manage class lesson plans efficiently

80.00% of 10 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Assigns content automatically based on performance. Instructors set rules to guide learners through custom modules without manual effort.

0 reviewers rated this feature

Import various types of media (e.g., images, presentations, videos, music, etc.) to be used in eLearning courses

33.33% of 6 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Planning, organizing, and controlling the distribution of information or videos, images, audio, and other content

38.89% of 18 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Lets students, teachers, and parents manage assignments, grades, and announcements from any location. The app mirrors desktop features, including quizzes and submissions, though some report occasional bugs.

226 reviewers rated this feature

Access for students to complete learning materials on mobile platforms

60.13% of 153 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Manage and support multiple languages

80.00% of 5 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Supports various file formats

0% of 0 reviewers...

Closing out contracts by reviewing contract/project completion, finalizing payments, and ensuring terms and compliance as been achieved

0% of 0 reviewers...

Portal for parents to see and update childrens' info, track progress & more

38.89% of 18 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Document and report the progress of ongoing projects

58.56% of 111 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Reporting on how each user, task or process has advanced since its initiation

59.34% of 273 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Brief assessments used to measure knowledge and skills

66.67% of 27 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Broadcast live video streams

55.42% of 83 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Receive data and information in real time

100.00% of 3 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Notifications that are delivered to users as soon as an event occurs

0% of 0 reviewers...

Active reporting of data and metrics

50.00% of 20 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Timed notification for any upcoming task, deadline, appointment, or activity

58.82% of 17 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Access work applications remotely, for when working away from the office and/or traveling

36.07% of 61 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Create, manage, and distribute student reports that document their academic progress and achievements

55.68% of 88 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Collection, analysis, and representation of numerical data and generation of reports to understand various patterns

41.74% of 115 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

View and track pertinent metrics to find patterns and gain insights from data

71.43% of 7 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Plan availability and assign specific time slots for tasks and resources

75.00% of 16 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Software designed for school districts

0% of 0 reviewers...

Comply with the Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) framework.

61 reviewers rated this feature

Digitally share screen view with others

50.00% of 86 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Online portal through which end users can access the system, manage tasks, or obtain information

44.52% of 155 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Identifying your own learning needs, setting goals, finding the necessary resources, and evaluating your own knowledge

46.97% of 66 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Observe employees over a period of time to gain an understanding of their abilities to perform certain tasks

46.15% of 39 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Track employee skills, competencies, training & qualifications

31.58% of 19 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Create tools to promote social interaction and learning between students/trainees and instructors/trainers

45.05% of 91 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Dictate the order and pace of an eLearning course, including the logic for how different learners progress

0.00% of 2 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

You can easily access grades, attendance, and student profiles in one place. Reviewers value real-time grade tracking, privacy controls, and integration with other systems, but some note slow data loading, confusing layouts, and difficulty accessing past records after courses close.

56.70% of 485 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Database of students to track personal information of individuals and families

61.11% of 54 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Canvas offers a centralized, intuitive portal where you can access assignments, grades, course materials, and communicate with instructors and peers. Reviewers appreciate its organization, real-time notifications, and ease of navigation, though some wish for better visual design and more dashboard customization.

66.96% of 675 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Allow media to be embedded in the question or answer options

55.56% of 45 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Gauge satisfaction and receive information for improvement and success

0.00% of 1 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Real-time, interactive learning experiences where participants engage in learning activities simultaneously

54.33% of 127 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Supports basic tracking of learner progress and achievements.

32 reviewers rated this feature

Create, save, and re-purpose templates for emails, forms, etc.

0.00% of 1 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Create tools to measure student retention of learning material and lessons

60.38% of 530 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Set up connections to third-party platforms to improve business processes

42.42% of 99 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Back-office tasks (i.e. schedule courses, organize resources, course registrations, and email reminders)

0% of 0 reviewers...

Software designed for companies who offer training programs to clients

38.46% of 13 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Track employee/learner's progression through training programs

63.64% of 11 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Enables live instruction and virtual meetings.

75 reviewers rated this feature

Store and manage online video content

0% of 0 reviewers...

Allows users to view videos without downloading media files

0% of 0 reviewers...

Classes/sessions accessible via web browser of built-in video conferencing

60.80% of 375 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Get Advice

We can help you find the software with the features you need.

Emilie Audubert

Content Analyst

Canvas excels at managing course content and communication. Reviewers highlight its activity dashboard for quick oversight, automated grade calculations for transparency, and mobile access for staying on top of deadlines—key features for flexible learning.

Features

4.5 (4,295)

4.5

Based on 4,295 reviews

## Pricing

Canvas does not publicly list pricing on its website. Buyers must contact the vendor for a custom quote based on institution size and feature needs. However, Canvas provides a Free-for-Teacher account, which includes essential LMS features like assignments, quizzes, discussions, and mobile app access at no cost.

### Starting price

Contact vendor  
for pricing

Free trial  
available

Emilie Audubert

Content Analyst

Canvas’s pricing model scales with institutional needs, which helps teams align costs with usage. Most LMS buyers we spoke to budget around $25 per user, per month.

Value for money

4.5 (2,488)

4.5

Based on 2,488 reviews

## Integrations

Canvas LMS integrates with a wide range of education-focused tools, including student information systems (SIS), video conferencing platforms, content libraries, and productivity suites. These include a mix of native and third-party integrations.

Popular integrations

[

Google Docs](https://www.capterra.com/p/160756/Google-Docs/)[

Google Drive](https://www.capterra.com/p/161425/Drive/)[

Zoom Workplace](https://www.capterra.com/p/144037/Zoom-Video-Conferencing/)[

Microsoft 365](https://www.capterra.com/p/227157/Microsoft-365/)[

Canva](https://www.capterra.com/p/168956/Canva/)[

Microsoft Teams](https://www.capterra.com/p/168668/Microsoft-Teams/)[

Google Calendar](https://www.capterra.com/p/213340/Google-Calendar/)[

Moodle](https://www.capterra.com/p/80691/Moodle/)

Emilie Audubert

Content Analyst

Syncing Canvas with systems for grading, scheduling, and communication helps your academic or training team reduce manual setup, accelerate feedback loops, and maintain consistent records across courses.

Connect with a Capterra advisor for a free 15-minute consultation

Get a personalized software list aligned to your business needs with guidance from our expert advisors. Our team has helped 1 million+ businesses like yours find options that fit their needs.

## Support, customer service and training options

Customer Service

4.3 (2684)

Support

-   Email/Help Desk
-   FAQs/Forum
-   Knowledge Base
-   Phone Support
-   24/7 (Live rep)
-   Chat

Training

-   In Person
-   Live Online
-   Webinars
-   Documentation
-   Videos

Deployment

-   Web
-   Android
-   iPhone/iPad

Typical users

-   Freelancers
-   Small businesses
-   Mid size businesses
-   Enterprises

Customer Service

4.3 (2,684)

4.3

Based on 2,684 reviews

## User reviews

Overall rating

4.6

Based on 4,308 reviews

Filter by rating

5(2759)

4(1274)

3(217)

2(38)

1(20)

Mentioned topic

Sorted by most recent

KC

Kaylee C.

Student Use Only

E-Learning

### "Student Friendly - Course Management is Strong"

5.0

Overall Rating

5.0

5.0

Ease of Use

5.0

5.0

Features

5.0

5.0

Customer Service

4.0

4.0

Likelihood to Recommend

9/10

March 30, 2026

Overall, it was great for college, and I enjoyed using it while I was in school. I hope other schools would consider using Canvas to help students navigate the more digital prominent aspect for schools now.

Pros

Canvas looks good, clean and is very easy to use. I used it for the entirety of my college career at two different colleges. It allowed to easily manage my course work for each class and allowed for easy communication with my instructors. I didn't have to pay for the use of Canva... that cost was probably factored into each course cost. They are instances of bugs or issues every so often but usually was resolved with a day or less.

Cons

I remember a few cases where I had to contact customer support to help resolve an issue which wasn't the easiest but compared to other customer supports Canvas support was not as difficult as others.

Review source

Incentivized review: software users are invited to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive for their time and effort. All incentivized reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication.

JZ

Jesse Z.

Software Engineer

Computer Software

### "Modern and Intuitive UI With Features Beyond a Modern Learning Management System"

5.0

Overall Rating

5.0

5.0

Ease of Use

5.0

5.0

Features

5.0

5.0

Customer Service

0.0

0.0

Likelihood to Recommend

10/10

March 29, 2026

Canvas has been a great learning management system for a student to use that allows you to easily view grades, submit assignments, and create goals to help students get a certain grade in any course.

Pros

Canvas is easily accessible both on the web and your phone. The UI is seamless and intuitive. Your school can even upload a logo on the sidebar to brand the platform when students are using it. Additionally, you can put in scores for any assignment in the grade book to see what your overall grade in the class would be before the instructor even enters a grade.

Cons

Canvas automatically marks assignments as late even if the course did not require any online submissions for the assignments. The instructor access could have better design options so that the instructor is asked if any submission is required for an assignment so it's clear if students must have something submitted or not.

Review source

Incentivized review: software users are invited to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive for their time and effort. All incentivized reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication.

AU

Anonymous User

Student

E-Learning

### "Great for Schools!"

5.0

Overall Rating

5.0

5.0

Ease of Use

5.0

5.0

Features

5.0

5.0

Customer Service

5.0

5.0

Likelihood to Recommend

9/10

March 23, 2026

Overall, my experience is great. The pros greatly outweigh the cons of the platform and i definitely recommend using Canvas.

Pros

Canvas was awesome for our school. I have used it for 8+ years and it was incredibly helpful to both students and teachers. Assignment tracking, scoring, collaborating, and grading are all great features of Canvas.

Cons

When a student may want to review feedback on an assignment, sometimes depending on what device they're using, the feedback is hard to view.

Review source

Incentivized review: software users are invited to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive for their time and effort. All incentivized reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication.

CS

Claire S.

Computer Science Teacher

Primary/Secondary Education

### "Bravo for Canvas!"

5.0

Overall Rating

5.0

5.0

Ease of Use

4.0

4.0

Features

4.0

4.0

Customer Service

5.0

5.0

Likelihood to Recommend

10/10

March 20, 2026

I have enjoyed using Canvas for many years, and I look forward to using as my main learning management system.

Pros

I like how Canvas can be versatile and incorporate my Google docs and slides to use for my classes. I can easily link worksheets, videos, etc to assign for my classes.

Cons

I feel that many of the apps that can be linked to Canvas are not always available, depending on subscriptions.

Review source

Incentivized review: software users are invited to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive for their time and effort. All incentivized reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication.

Sierra S.

IST - Cybersecurity Student

E-Learning

### "Canvas is the Best Online Classroom Option"

5.0

Overall Rating

5.0

5.0

Ease of Use

5.0

5.0

Features

5.0

5.0

Customer Service

5.0

5.0

Likelihood to Recommend

10/10

March 20, 2026

Canvas has been great. It has been the best online classroom platform I have used, and I have used many.

Pros

I love Canvas for my classes. I love the to-do dashboard. It helps keep me on track with assignments. Each teacher is able to customize their class as they best see fit which makes it a consistently unique experience.

Cons

Sometimes there are graded assignments that don't show up on the dashboard but are due weekly in the modules. I wish there was a way to assign certain pages to certain days like "remember this task" even if Canvas didn't automatically recognize it as an assignment.

Review source

Incentivized review: software users are invited to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive for their time and effort. All incentivized reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication.

EW

Essence W.

University Researcher

E-Learning

### "King of Learning Management Systems!"

5.0

Overall Rating

5.0

5.0

Ease of Use

5.0

5.0

Features

5.0

5.0

Customer Service

5.0

5.0

Likelihood to Recommend

10/10

March 19, 2026

Overall, I have had a pleasant experience with Canvas and have no qualms using it in the future. This is especially the case when compared to other LMS's

Pros

I love its ergonomic settings and how nice it looks compared to learning management systems (e.g., Blackboard)

Cons

I have been using Canvas for years at this point, but the learning curve can be rather drastic for new comers.

Review source

Incentivized review: software users are invited to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive for their time and effort. All incentivized reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication.

Dan J.

Student

Higher Education

### "Effective E-learning Software"

4.0

Overall Rating

4.0

4.0

Ease of Use

5.0

5.0

Features

5.0

5.0

Customer Service

0.0

0.0

Likelihood to Recommend

6/10

March 19, 2026

Pros

Loved the digital-native intuitive tools and navigation, as well as the integrated customizable notifications.

Cons

Feels like they serve redundant notifications. I've configured to only allow specific types of alerts on specific devices within specific time frames, but I still seem to get an abundance of notifications for minor things.

Review source

Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication.

Ginger S.

Program Administrator TA

Higher Education

### "Canvas Is The Best!"

5.0

Overall Rating

5.0

5.0

Ease of Use

5.0

5.0

Features

5.0

5.0

Customer Service

0.0

0.0

Likelihood to Recommend

10/10

March 19, 2026

Overall, I have enjoyed using Canvas! I have interacted with the platform as instructor, TA, and student and each experience has been good.

Pros

Canvas is a user friendly platform for both instructors and students. It has a wide variety of ways to present and engage with educational materials, and is easy to transfer courses from year to year or even instructor to instructor.

Cons

Canvas is a bit of a heavy lift to get set up at first. Configuring the class modules and adapting for different educational needs (grad vs. undergrad; online vs. in-person) can be time consuming.

Switched from

[Schoology](https://www.capterra.com/p/128481/Schoology/)

Schoology is better suited for K-12 setting and Canvas met our higher education needs.

Review source

Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication.

Mallory T.

Executive sous

Food & Beverages

### "Pretty good for what it is "

3.0

Overall Rating

3.0

3.0

Ease of Use

4.0

4.0

Features

4.0

4.0

Customer Service

4.0

4.0

Likelihood to Recommend

10/10

March 15, 2026

Overall canvas is better than other course management programs I would choose it again , bug fixes are always going to be needed with software

Pros

I like that canvas gives an overall list of things that you need to do instead of making you click each individual course

Cons

Canvas has a lot of bug issues so sometimes it won’t recognize an assignment has been submitted creating confusion for users and a lot of emails to the course instructor

Review source

Incentivized review: software users are invited to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive for their time and effort. All incentivized reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication.

AH

Andrew H.

Graduate Student

E-Learning

### "Great for online learning!"

5.0

Overall Rating

5.0

5.0

Ease of Use

5.0

5.0

Features

5.0

5.0

Customer Service

4.0

4.0

Likelihood to Recommend

9/10

March 13, 2026

Great! It is easy to use, and it is very helpful for keeping track of assignments, watching online video lectures, and downloading resources.

Pros

I love Canvas! I've used it in college and in graduate school. Everything is organized and easy to access. It makes tracking assignments and grades across multiple classes easy and organized.

Cons

The commenting and discussion boards are good, but they could be more collaborative. I've had some uploading issues with them before which is frustrating.

Review source

Incentivized review: software users are invited to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive for their time and effort. All incentivized reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication.

[View all Reviews](https://www.capterra.com/p/127214/CANVAS/reviews/)

## FAQs

Yes. Canvas Student is the official mobile app developed by Instructure for accessing Canvas. It allows students to view assignments, submit work, join discussions, and receive course updates from their institution.

Canvas is valued for its mobile access, customizable course structure, and integration with grading and scheduling tools. However, some users report a steep learning curve, occasional bugs, and limited SCORM or gamification support.

Yes. Canvas complies with FERPA and other education privacy standards. It uses secure data handling practices and allows institutions to manage user permissions and content access.

No. The Canvas Student app is free to download and use. However, access to course content depends on whether your school or institution uses Canvas LMS.

Canvas offers a free version called Canvas Free-for-Teacher, which includes core LMS features. Full institutional access requires a paid plan with custom pricing based on organization size and needs.

Canvas Student lets learners access their courses, submit assignments, take quizzes, join discussions, and receive notifications. It’s designed to support mobile learning and keep students connected to their instructors and peers.

### Have more questions?

Connect with one of our advisors for a free consultation and save time in your software search.

## Sources

-   **Capterra reviews data:** Capterra reviews are collected from verified users for individual software products. [Learn more about how we source our data](https://www.capterra.com/resources/proprietary-data-research/).
    
-   **Capterra Shortlist:** Capterra Shortlist identifies the top products in our software categories based on a proprietary blend of user ratings and popularity. [Read the complete methodology here](https://www.capterra.com/resources/proprietary-data-research/#capterra-shortlist-methodology).
    
-   This product information came from Canvas’s own online content in July 2025, including the product's website and its social media channels.
    

## Related reading

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### [7 Top-Rated AI Learning Management System Software](https://www.capterra.com/resources/ai-learning-management-system/)

Published August 6, 2024 by [Barkha Bali](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/bbali/) and [Rina Rai](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/rina-rai/)

### [5 Key Learning Management Software Features and Top Products That Offer Them](https://www.capterra.com/resources/key-features-of-learning-management-system/)

Published March 25, 2024 by [Barkha Bali](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/bbali/)

### [Capterra Value Report: A Price Comparison Guide for LMS Software](https://www.capterra.com/resources/lms-software-pricing-report/)

Published January 11, 2024 by [Akriti Sharma](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/akriti-sharma/)

### [What Is LMS Software? Key Insights for New Users](https://www.capterra.com/resources/what-is-learning-management-system-software/)

Published July 19, 2024 by [Collin Couey](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/ccouey/) and [Lindsay Page](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/lindsay-page/)

### [Enhance the LMS Experience with Collaboration Tools](https://www.capterra.com/resources/lms-collaboration-tools/)

Published April 26, 2023 by [Stephan Miller](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/smiller/)

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