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Canvas Logo

Where smart learning meets powerful simplicity.

Table of Contents

Canvas - 2026 Pricing, Features, Reviews & Alternatives

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All user reviews are verified by in-house moderators and provider data by our software research team.  Learn more

Last updated: February 2026

Canvas overview

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Based on 4297 verified user reviews

What is Canvas?

Canvas is a higher education solution with key features that include course management, a student portal, tests and assessments, an activity dashboard, student information and records, alerts and notifications, and more.

Who uses Canvas?

By industry, Canvas reviewers are most commonly professionals in education management (21%). The most frequent use case for Canvas cited by reviewers is higher education (41% of reviewers).

What do users say about Canvas pricing?

Reviewers indicate that Canvas offers a useful free version for basic needs and appreciate the free trials and accessible templates. However, some users report limitations in the free plan and feel the premium version is costly and lacks flexible pricing.

What are the most popular integrations for Canvas?

The Canvas integrations most frequently cited by reviewers are: Google Docs (a document management product rated 4.7 out of 5 for its integration with Canvas), Google Drive (a cloud storage product, 4.7), and Zoom Workplace (a video conferencing product, 4.6).

Starting price

Free

Alternatives

with better value for money


Pros & Cons

Connectivity

Navigation

Organization

Reliability

Customization

Integration

Canvas’s user interface

Ease of use rating:

Canvas pros, cons and reviews insights

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To determine these pros and cons insights, we analyzed responses from 

Overall rating

Reviews sentiment

 
 
 
1-2(58)
3-4(1,476)
5(2,763)

What do users say about Canvas?

Reviewers indicate Canvas serves as a central hub for managing courses, assignments, grades, and communication, making online learning and collaboration straightforward for students and educators. They appreciate its customizable organization, integration with third-party tools, and ability to track progress, but mention that navigation can be confusing for new users and depends heavily on how instructors set up their courses.

Users report Canvas offers robust grading features, notifications, and flexible assignment submission options, helping them stay organized and informed. They note occasional bugs, slow load times, and connectivity issues, and feel the user interface could be more modern and streamlined.

Select to learn more


Who uses Canvas?

Based on 4,297 verified user reviews.

Company size

Small Businesses

Enterprises

Midsize Businesses

Top industries

Education Management
E-Learning
Higher Education
Computer Software
Others

Use cases

Higher Education
Online Course
Learning Management System
Online Course Platforms
Mobile Learning

Canvas's key features

GetApp's analysis of 820 verified user reviews collected between July 2021 and January 2025 identifies CANVAS' most critical features and summarizes user sentiment about those features.

Course management

Reviewers appreciate CANVAS's course management capabilities for their comprehensive and user-friendly design. They report that CANVAS makes it easy to keep track of assignments, grades, and due dates. Users highlight the ability to communicate efficiently with instructors and classmates through integrated messaging and discussion threads. They also value the customizable course elements, automated grading, and the integration with external tools like Hypothesis. Additionally, users mention the helpfulness of capabilities like course duplication and blueprint courses for streamlined updates. Of the 180 CANVAS users who gave detailed accounts of their use of Course Management, 96% rated this feature as important or highly important.

See related user reviews

“Canvas makes accessing and managing my courses super easy. My courses are all on the same platform and I'm able to access my uploaded assignments for future use. I receive notifications for graded courses, announcements and deadlines.”
SM

Stephanie M.

Administrative Assistant

“As a student, this software really helps me in managing all my courses and alerts me with the to-do and pending tasks with their due date. ”
SG

Saloni G.

Program Manager


Student Portal

Reviewers indicate that CANVAS's student portal is highly valuable for staying organized and managing coursework. They appreciate the ease of accessing course materials, viewing grades, and submitting assignments all in one place. Users find the portal intuitive and helpful for communication with instructors and classmates. They also highlight the customizable notifications and the ability to track progress and due dates, which enhances their overall learning experience. Of the 240 CANVAS users who gave detailed accounts of their use of Student Portal, 95% rated this feature as important or highly important.

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“I really enjoy using the Student Portal in Canvas. It is a great way to stay organized and keep track of my classes and assignments. I especially like that I can easily access course materials, view my grades, and submit assignments all in one place. The portal also allows me to communicate with my instructors and classmates, which is really helpful when I need help with something. Written with ParagraphAI.”
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Osmond E.

Data Analyst

“The ease of navigating the portal to complete different tasks is smooth and intuitive. Notification is received instantly when work is given and when work is submitted. Communication can be made between teacher and student via messages and to other students on the portal.”
MM

Milton M.

Student


Tests/Assessments

Users report that CANVAS's tests and assessments capabilities are robust and flexible. They appreciate the variety of question types, the ability to randomize questions, and the immediate feedback capability. Reviewers also value the anti-cheating measures and the integration with tools like Unicheck for plagiarism detection. However, some users mention occasional glitches with visuals and the need for more advanced testing tools for longer exams. Of the 147 CANVAS users who gave detailed accounts of their use of Tests/Assessments, 93% rated this feature as important or highly important.

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“The assessment feature of canvas allows you to give an immediate feedback and generate curve data that can be easily interpreted the level of attainment of students. ”
KS

Kelly S.

Guest Lecturer

“The testing and assessment functionality provides a wide array of functions that can be tailored to the needs of a specific course, both as far as the assignments and the way it results are presented”
CO

Chelsea O.

Proprietor and former student


Activity dashboard

Reviewers feel that CANVAS's activity dashboard is a helpful tool for tracking assignments, announcements, and course activities. They appreciate the clear display of upcoming deadlines and the ability to prioritize tasks. Users find the dashboard particularly useful for staying organized and managing their workload. However, some mention a desire for more customization options to better suit their individual needs. Of the 190 CANVAS users who gave detailed accounts of their use of Activity Dashboard, 92% rated this feature as important or highly important.

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“Activity Dashboard is a super helpful screen view that shows all recent activities for all courses that a student is currently taking. It provides access to important assignments, announcements, and discussions that have been posted all under one convenient screen.”
EP

Eileen P.

Program Manager for Academic Support

“Activity dashboard is very helpful and handy feature. This feature gathers all the tasks or activities that needs to be completed from all the courses and arrange then based on date of their deadline. This gives students like me a chance to prioritize tasks just by having a glance at the activity dashboard.”
HR

Hrudvi R.

Student


Student information/records

Reviewers highlight the efficiency of CANVAS's student information and records management. They appreciate the organized access to student records, grades, and progress tracking. Users value the secure storage of data and the integration with other student records systems. They also mention the ease of communication with students through the platform. However, some users note that the layout could be more user-friendly and that data loading times can be slow. Of the 135 CANVAS users who gave detailed accounts of their use of Student Information/Records, 90% rated this feature as important or highly important.

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“The platform provides many details in line with what is expected of an educational platform, where you can easily visualize things like student records and their achievements.”
HL

Heberth L.

IT Assistant

“I could access students' email, university ID and students' participation information that helped communication and evaluation of students' performance.”
MY

Man Y.

Researcher & Instructor


Alerts/Notifications

Users appreciate the customizable alerts and notifications in CANVAS for keeping them informed about assignments, grades, and announcements. They find the ability to receive notifications via email and mobile devices helpful for staying on top of deadlines. Reviewers also value the flexibility to adjust notification settings to their preferences. However, some users mention occasional delays in receiving notifications and the potential for overwhelming alerts if not managed properly. Of the 122 CANVAS users who gave detailed accounts of their use of Alerts/Notifications, 85% rated this feature as important or highly important.

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“They send notifications to my email and cell phone for due assignements. They also provide a very well intutive settings for managing these notification. I love how they have provided for people in different timezones to work together without missing out on time differences”
AA

Alexander A.

Full-stack developer

“Mobile access is a wonderful addition to Canvas because it allows students to access almost all of the same features but they would on the desktop version of Canvas on their mobile devices. if students are not near a computer, they can submit assignments, view their grades, email fellow students and peers, receive notifications for their assignments as soon as they have been assigned or have been graded, and more at their fingertips. They can also personalize these notifications and choose what exactly they would like to be notified about concerning grades and assignments. Everything is synchronous and very easy to use. I highly recommend the mobile app for students on the go! ”
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Candice B.

College Student


All Canvas features

Features rating:

Academic/Education
Access controls/permissions
Teacher Dashboard
Enrollments/Onboarding
Real-Time data
Class Summary
File sharing
Multi-Language
Lesson planning
Grade calculations
For higher education
Learner portal
Interactive content
Progress reports
Gradebook
Content management
Interactive learning
Learning management
Mobile access
Assignment management
Progress tracking
Document storage
Data import/export
Course tracking
eLearning companies
Student management
For classroom
Customizable templates
Weighted Assignments
Course authoring
Mobile learning
Curriculum management
Content library
Course publishing
Document management
Asynchronous learning
Virtual classroom
Collaboration tools
Quizzes
Communication management
Customizable questions
Support audio/images/video
Reporting/Analytics
Assessment management
Reminders
Media management
Training management
Calendar management
Report cards
Engagement tracking
Remote access/control
Self-paced learning
Synchronous learning
Faculty/Staff management
Chat/Messaging
Skills tracking
Class scheduling
Activity tracking
Blended learning
Scheduling
Learning paths/tracks
Self service portal
Media import
Drag & drop
Skills assessment
K-12
Reporting & statistics
Real-time broadcasting
Feedback management
Course Library
Corporate/Business
Screen sharing
Social learning
Real-Time reporting
Third-Party integrations
Attendance tracking
Attendance management
Classroom management
Built-in course authoring
Training companies
Employee Training
Compliance tracking
API
Customizable branding
Customizable reports
Video conferencing
Certification & licensing
Parent portal
Gamification
SCORM compliance
Discussions/Forums
Analytics
Conferencing
Surveys & feedback
Email management
Template management
For schools
Training administration
Event calendar
Video management
Video streaming
Activity Management
Storyboarding
Built-in lms
Individualized assessments
Instructor-Led Courses
Block websites/applications
Interoperability
Benchmarking
School district
Audio/Video recording
Curve Scores
Commenting/Notes
Multimedia support
Offboarding
Real-Time notifications

Canvas awards

Canvas alternatives

Canvas logo

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Free trial
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TalentLMS logo
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119

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360Learning logo
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Free trial
Free version
Ease of Use
Features
Value for Money
Customer Support

Canvas pricing

Starting from

Empty state illustration for "No pricing info"

No pricing info

Pricing details
Subscription
Free trial
Free plan
Pricing range

User opinions about Canvas price and value

Value for money rating:

Of 141 reviews that provide robust commentary on Canvas's price and value, 65% mention it in a positive light.

Reviewers indicate that CANVAS offers a variety of pricing plans, including a free version that many find useful for basic design needs. Some users appreciate the free trials and the ability to access a wide range of templates and tools without immediate cost. They find the free version sufficient for small businesses or individual projects, noting that it includes useful features like pre-designed images and templates. Users think the premium version offers more advanced features and higher quality content, which they find valuable for more professional or extensive use.

However, some users report that the free version has limitations, such as restricted access to certain templates and features, and low storage capacity. They feel that the premium version can be costly, especially for small businesses or startups. Some reviewers mention that the pricing structure lacks flexibility and can be confusing, with hidden costs and additional charges for premium elements. Users also note that the cost of the premium version might be high compared to competitors, making it less accessible for those with limited budgets.

, and

To see what individual users think of Canvas's cost and value, check out the review excerpts below.

“I usually use the free version of Canvas to create new arts for my small company, even with the low quantity of free pictures, it is totally possible to create your design with the templates that they provide.”
CC

Camila C.

Administrative Assistant

“The cost of using this product in the company is practically free since all the images to be used are pre-designed and the premium graphics are cheap.”
NM

Natacha M.

Jefa del Departamento de Informatica

“There was no flexibility to work out alternative pricing for a smaller provider, therefore we would need to purchase for users far and above what we would use which did not provide value for money”
SM

Salina M.

Director

Canvas integrations (130)

Integrations rated by users

We looked at 4,297 user reviews to identify which products are mentioned as Canvas integrations and how users feel about them.

Google Drive logo
Google Drive

Integration rating: 4.7 (33)

This integration is important because it allows for students to have an alternative way to submit assignments if there happen to be any technical issues. I have used this integration to submit my essays directly from Google Docs in Google Drive because that is the main platform that I use for writing. It is very handy and useful to me!

It give me the opportunity to save the content designed there in several other places, in case of a glitch, so your works will hardly ever get lost. Besides Google Drive, it's the perfect tool to prepare documents quickly in a time conscious work space

This program contains many distinctive functions of Tasahel, such as student evaluation and participation through it between the two parties, and this application has many advantages as well.

Since students submit files as assignments, we often send files as attachments to submissions. Having the backend do this saves time and effort in downloading and re-uploading files.

Mostly positive, but if you do not automatically have your sharing permissions set to none or within organization, you cannot view student work.

I use many Google products that I also need to add to my Canvas page. The Google Drive integration makes this simple.

This feature is important for being able to store content such as documents, videos, etc. in a cloud.

Our university relies on google drive for storage so this is nice to have it connected.

You can link your Google Drive into Canvas and then upload assignments that way.

Verified reviewer profile picture

Anonymous R.

College Student

1/9
Google Docs logo
Google Docs

Integration rating: 4.8 (29)

In our district we use Chromebooks which do not have the ability to save anywhere except to the cloud, this allows students to seamlessly move between Canvas and Google to complete their assignments.

Allows students to submit completed assignments. I don't like that students can go in after submitting to update their assignments after the fact.

I have my students submit google docs as PDFs so that they can see my annotations and feedback on them.

For those that don't have Microsoft Word, Google Docs was lovely....and free.

Students type their essays in Google Docs and are able to upload to Canvas.

HS

Hailey S.

Teacher

1/5

Integration rating: 4.3 (19)

I use Connect for the laboratory portions of my classes. It has been used for the online lab manual and for virtual labs. It is very easy to integrate with Canvas.

This is something the professor may ask you to log into and submit work it is awsome the grades auto update to your Canva

The integration allowed for textbooks and assignments straight from the textbook to come easily.

Online textbook access without needing to transfer or link information between the two.

CB

Christian B.

Instructor-Biology

1/4

Integration rating: 4.8 (16)

It was critical that my students knew how to meet for class when we had to meet online. It was also critical that the product worked, as that was the only way we could interact live.

Allows students to find meeting links easily. Keeps all their learning together in one place. Calendar list helps students find the correct meeting link easily.

I teach via Zoom and it helps to align the lecture meetings schedule and access with the Canvas shell

The teachers post lectures and live zoom meetings through Canvas to alert the students.

TH

Tina H.

Assistant Professor

1/4

Integration rating: 4.6 (12)

Though I personally think Microsoft online is way too complicated and clunky for its own good compared to Google Docs, it's required by my institution.

i use school Microsoft account on canvas, its help me a lot. i also use another Microsoft apps and integrated it on canvas such as one note and etc.

I use Microsoft 365 for every item on my computer and that is my lifeline. Easily integrating Microsoft 365 is incredibly important to me.

Microsoft 365 is in our App Store so students can use it if the choose to.

RD

Reema D.

Associate Director

1/4

Integration rating: 4.9 (13)

google calendar acts as a direct reminder and your own personal schedule is linked to the canvas platform, you can get notified of upcoming classes or events in the future.

The ability to plug these features in, makes everyone on the same page on all devices.

The entire calendar/schedule from Canvas was integrated into my Google Calendar.

PM

Patrick M.

Virtual Assistant

1/3
MindTap logo
MindTap

Integration rating: 4.5 (4)

Try to assign assignments in MindTap that will then automatically show the scores in Canvas so I am not having to transfer the data between the two. It is clunky.

Easy access to textbooks online. Instructors link the chapter to the module so it takes you right to where you need to be.

I love to be able to jump right to my assignments and required reading for each module right in canvas.

AA

Andrea A.

Instructor

1/3

Integration rating: 4.5 (13)

This aspect is extremely important as Outlook is the only option to communicate with teachers.

I already get canvas notifications on my outlook so not that important but works smoothly

BD

Barrett D.

Night Auditor

1/2

Integration rating: 4.4 (5)

I used this for a deaf culture class, it generated captions for the audio, quite accurately too.

Kaltura is the institution's main video platform and is significant to post relevant videos.

SN

Sally N.

Undergraduate

1/2
Panopto logo
Panopto

Integration rating: 4.3 (7)

Great video quality. The use of questions embedded into videos supports active student engagement.

Verified reviewer profile picture

Anonymous R.

Student

Integration rating: 4.4 (5)

I use Canvas with teams a lot since all the students are on there with us and all the work we do, we share it there. So it is really handy when we can integrate between different softwares.

HH

Hassan H.

Call Center Rep

Integration rating: 4.0 (4)

For when I teach "live," Adobe Connect is easy to work with Canvas as a direct link.

JW

John W.

Adjunct Professor

Blackboard logo
Blackboard

Integration rating: 4.0 (3)

Blackboard has been the industry standard for learning management systems for a long time but that might be changing in the near future. With recent updates and changes to the platform itself, it's not as easy to work with or dependable as it once was. Generally, it's becoming more complex than it needs to.

JJ

Jason J.

Project Manager

Canva logo
Canva

Integration rating: 4.3 (3)

We use it as an important tool for our professional community and we hope that you will find also the best way to get your graphic design very quickly and nicely

FB

Fatima B.

Médecin

Moodle logo
Moodle

Integration rating: 5.0 (3)

Moodle is quite intuitive to use but the interface is not as polished as I would like. The customizability is definitely a major advantage of this platform but I wish more time was spent improving the user UI.

JJ

Jason J.

Project Manager

MyLab logo
MyLab

Integration rating: 5.0 (1)

I use MyLab regularly as homework and tutoring assignments. The students also use the e-book so that they don't need the hard copy. It is easy to integrate into Canvas as well. The only issue is that the test banks cannot be integrated with Canvas Quizzes.

CB

Christian B.

Instructor-Biology

Canvas support options

Typical customers

Freelancers
Small businesses
Mid size businesses
Large enterprises

Platforms supported

Web
Android
iPhone/iPad

Support options

FAQs/Forum
Phone Support
Email/Help Desk
Knowledge Base
Chat

Training options

Videos
Webinars
Live Online
In Person
Documentation

Canvas FAQs

Q. What type of pricing plans does Canvas offer?

Canvas has the following pricing plans:
Pricing model: Free, Subscription, Open Source
Free Trial: Available | (No Credit Card required)

These products have better value for money


Q. What is Canvas used for?

Canvas by Instructure is a cloud-based learning management system (LMS) designed to support effective, scalable learning experiences across education and professional development. From classrooms to conference rooms, Canvas empowers instructors and training leaders to create and deliver engaging content while simplifying administration and scaling with ease. Built for organizations of all sizes, Canvas serves a diverse range of learning environments—from school districts and universities to growing companies, associations, and public sector teams. Whether you're managing a student curriculum, onboarding new employees, or running industry certifications, Canvas offers the flexibility and reliability to meet your goals. With an intuitive interface and modern learning tools, Canvas makes it easy to build courses, incorporate multimedia, administer quizzes, and engage learners through interactive experiences. Learners benefit from mobile-first access, personalized learning paths, and the ability to stay connected from anywhere—online or offline. Administrators and instructors can track progress and performance with robust analytics and reporting tools, ensuring that learning strategies align with outcomes. Canvas integrates seamlessly with more than 900 tools and platforms, giving you the power to create a dynamic learning ecosystem without disrupting existing workflows. Whether you're using video conferencing, content libraries, single sign-on, or analytics platforms, Canvas fits into your tech stack with minimal lift and maximum flexibility. Backed by world-class support and a global community of educators and learning professionals, Canvas is built to grow with your organization. From 50 users to 50,000 and beyond, Canvas delivers the reliability, performance, and innovation needed to keep your programs moving forward. Trusted by millions of users worldwide, Canvas helps organizations simplify learning delivery, boost engagement, and achieve better outcomes—no matter their size or mission.


Q. What are the benefits of using Canvas?

  • Canvas offers an intuitive, clean interface that minimizes learning curves for instructors, administrators, and learners alike.

  • Designed to support organizations of all sizes—from small teams to global institutions—Canvas grows with your needs, whether you're serving 50 users or 50,000+.

  • With robust mobile apps and offline capabilities, Canvas makes it easy for learners to stay connected and on track from anywhere.

  • Create engaging learning experiences with rich multimedia, modular course structures, custom assessments, and integrated feedback tools.

  • Canvas provides deep insights into learner performance, engagement trends, and content effectiveness to drive smarter decisions.

  • With over 900+ integrations, Canvas connects effortlessly to your existing tools—whether for content, communication, analytics, or identity management.

  • Canvas is cloud-based, secure, and backed by global customer support, with enterprise-level uptime and SLAs to ensure smooth operations.

  • Join a global network of educators, trainers, and learning professionals who contribute to best practices, innovation, and peer support.


  • Q. Who are the typical users of Canvas?

    Canvas has the following typical customers:
    Freelancers, Large Enterprises, Mid Size Business, Non Profit, Public Administrations, Small Business


    Q. What languages does Canvas support?

    Canvas supports the following languages:
    Dutch, English, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish


    Q. Does Canvas support mobile devices?

    Canvas supports the following devices:
    Android, iPad, iPhone


    Q. Does Canvas offer an API?

    Yes, Canvas has an API available for use.


    Q. What other apps does Canvas integrate with?

    Canvas integrates with the following applications:
    TestWe, Wooclap , VEED, Kritik, Vedamo Virtual Classroom, Enrole, Microsoft Outlook, Nectir, ClassIn, GoSignMeUp, ProctorU, PlagiarismCheck.org, Kaltura Video Platform, IntelliBoard, IllumiDesk, Google Classroom, Eduframe, Copyleaks, 3Play Media, iorad, Google Docs, Verdantis MDM Suite, Moodle, Google Drive, Learning Stream, GoReact, Proctorio, Zoom Workplace, YuJa, GETMARKED Digitaliser, Classcraft, Echo360, Microsoft Teams, ScreenPal, Nearpod, Compilatio, Twitter/X, McGraw-Hill Connect, NoRedInk, Powtoon, Microsoft 365, ampEducator, Adobe Connect, Honorlock, Canva, Poll Everywhere, Ulearn, ReadSpeaker, Diigo, Blackboard, Digiexam, Google Calendar, Panopto, Mainstay, UbiCast, CozyRoc SSIS+ Components Suite, Top Hat, Soundtrap, Kami


    Q. What level of support does Canvas offer?

    Canvas offers the following support options:
    FAQs/Forum, Phone Support, Email/Help Desk, Knowledge Base, Chat

    Related categories