2024-04-17

Blackboard LMS is a flexible Learning Management System known for its long-standing presence in online learning for higher education and businesses. With features like online collaboration, forums, virtual classrooms, and integration with video conferencing tools, it offers rich learning experiences based on social learning. It also works well with accessibility tools to ensure everyone can participate.

Blackboard Learn has a robust assessment engine, supports multiple content types, and is SCORM compliant. It also features an AI Design Assistant, so you can build your courses faster. Learners can build their profiles to monitor their learning history, while admins can group users into categories based on diverse criteria, such as skills or departments.

Blackboard LMS excels at providing a collaborative learning environment, but it lacks other aspects that may be important for your business. That’s why we have created this list of the top 7 Blackboard LMS alternatives—to enable you to review more options that may fit your specific needs better.

Pricing

Blackboard Learn offers a 30-day free trial. Pricing is available upon request.

What we don’t like about Blackboard LMS

While Blackboard Learn is a feature-rich LMS, it has some limitations and performance issues.

Limited reporting

Limited customization

Learning curve

Outdated design

Occasional technical glitches

Inconsistent mobile app performance

Complicated administration

7 Best Blackboard Learn Alternatives

Let’s see the top LMS providers that offer similar but better features than Blackboard Learn.

1. LearnWorlds – Our Top Choice

LearnWorlds is a versatile cloud-based platform that helps you create, deliver, and monitor training in a fully branded and modern learning environment. Our platform covers diverse training needs, like new employee onboarding, compliance training, skills training, and customer education. Our native mobile app ensures that even deskless employees have access to your training programs.

LearnWorlds is SCORM-compliant and supports multimedia, video, eBooks, assessments and self-assessments, podcasts, certificates, and other content. With our one-of-a-kind AI assistant (with over 200 pre-built prompts!) and our built-in authoring tool, you can easily create engaging and effective training modules and courses that address skills gaps in your company.

Our learning platform offers real-time metrics that include both course performance and learner progress, so you be on top of the training status in your company anytime, anywhere. If you want to monetize your training courses, LearnWorlds is eCommerce-ready and features modern, customizable templates to help you build your own “market front” to sell your courses.

Overall, LearnWorlds is a cost-effective e-learning solution that offers efficient user and content management software.

Pros & Cons

Pros

AI assistant with built-in prompts

SCORM compliant

Highly customizable design

Website builder

Interactive content

Built-in authoring tool

Fully white labeled

Native, branded mobile apps

Robust reporting

Efficient administration: multiple automations & bulk actions

Advanced security features & GDPR compliance

Custom user roles & permissions

Multiple schools

Exams, self-assessments, surveys & certificates

Built-in community with groups, discussion boards, and more

eCommerce ready

Top-notch customer support

Cons

Limited gamification

No content library

Slight learning curve

Pricing

LearnWorlds offers a 30-day free trial and the following pricing plans:

Starter $29/mo

Pro Trainer $99/mo

Learning Center $299/mo

Corporate: Custom

For more information about feature availability per plan, visit our website.

9000+ brands trust LearnWorlds to train their people, partners & customers.

Start a FREE Trial

2. Moodle

Moodle LMS (Moodle Workplace) is a highly customizable LMS with a plethora of built-in add-ons and integrates with open-source and premium third-party tools, including libraries with ready-made training courses from reliable content providers.

On the admin side, Moodle offers robust user management, task automation, and permission controls. It also boasts advanced reporting features and intuitive meeting scheduling. Known for its commitment to quality learning experiences, Moodle offers comprehensive assessments, gradebook management, and the ability to issue badges and diplomas.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Customizable

Highly automated

Built-in content library

Regularly updated

Promotes learner interactions

Cons

Not very intuitive

Requires technical expertise

No AI course creation

Slow loading times & glitches

Limited reporting

Pricing

Moodle offers a free trial and 1 pricing edition that costs $130.

3. Canvas LMS

Canvas LMS by Instructure is a versatile open-source Learning Management System ideal for K-12, Higher Education institutions, and businesses of all sizes and industries. It supports various training delivery methods, including self-paced, synchronous, and blended learning. It integrates with video conferencing tools like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Classroom, and Adobe.

Canvas LMS stands out for its communication tools, LTI function, advanced grading capabilities, and accessibility options that offer an inclusive learning experience. The Canvas Catalog allows you to create a professional, branded marketplace to sell online courses. Other standout features include its uncluttered User Interface, certificate builder, powerful reporting with interactive data visualizations, and mobile apps.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Robust security features

Rich communication tools

Clean User Interface

Advanced assessment system

Supports multimedia and interactive learning

Cons

Occasional performance issues

Difficulty integrating with third-party tools

No AI

Confusing navigation for admins

Limited quiz functionality

Pricing

Available upon request.

4. Google Classroom

Google Classroom is a web-based learning platform with a user-friendly interface that additionally integrates with all Google Apps. It helps streamline communication and share documents and videos. Learners can also collaborate on documents in real time and access course materials anytime, even offline (for some functionalities). The mobile-friendly design ensures accessibility for learning on the go.

However, Google Classroom lacks advanced features and is, therefore, best suited for educational institutions and businesses without major training requirements. It can’t support complex course-building or advanced assessments, and its data analysis capabilities are also basic.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Free to use

Easy to use

Streamlines communication

Mobile friendly

Accessibility features

Cons

Limited content types supported

Limited feedback options

Lacks engagement features

Limited reporting

Security concerns

Pricing

Google Classroom is free to use.

5. D2L Brightspace

D2L Brightspace features an intuitive UI and an AI-powered content editor for easy customization. It enables personalized learning paths and complies with accessibility standards for inclusivity. With various integrations, data flow among your systems is seamless.

Additionally, D2L Brightspace provides custom reports, ready-made courses, gamification elements, certificates, and access to in-house experts for skills mapping and course creation. However, some users mention that the UI and mobile app are not very user-friendly. Additionally, it lacks customization and scalability options, which might be an issue for large institutions.

Pros & Cons

Pros

AI-powered

Detailed reporting

Seamless integrations

Social learning

Accessibility features

Cons

A bit expensive

Learning curve

Limited design customization

Limited mobile app functionality

Performance issues with large user bases

Pricing

Available upon request.

6. Sakai

Sakai is an open-source LMS with rich functionality and customization capabilities through its multiple plugins and Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI). Sakai boasts a robust feature set for online course management and collaboration tools like forums, email, and chat. Learners can showcase their work through ePortfolios, while instructors track performance with a built-in gradebook.

On the downside. setting up and maintaining Sakai requires technical expertise while ths UI is also a bit dated and data analysis capabilities are rather basic. Since it’s an open-source platform, it is also more susceptible to security threats compared to other LMSs.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Free to use

Highly customizable

Collaborative learning

Supportive community

Regular updates

Cons

Learning curve

Not intuitive

Requires technical expertise

Limited reporting

Security concerns

Pricing

Sakai is free to use.

7. TalentLMS

TalentLMS is a versatile and user-friendly LMS that offers positive user experiences. It’s equipped with built-in content authoring, an AI assistant, and TalentLibrary, a content repository featuring animated characters. While the platform offers gamification features to boost engagement, its community feature is somewhat limited.

TalentLMS supports customizable learning paths and rich assessments, along with comprehensive insights provided by customizable reports. Additional features include user roles and permissions, automated tasks such as course management and email communications, and a white-label mobile app.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Intuitive interface

Built-in content library

AI-powered

Detailed reporting

Advanced gamification

Cons

Limited design customization

User limits per plan

Technical issues with integrations

Limited course editing tools

Needs more robust assessment builder

Pricing

All TalentLMS pricing plans come with user limits. The platform doesn’t offer a free trial, but they do offer a free plan that allows for up to 5 users and 10 courses.

Standard plans (based on the number of registered users) include:

Starter: $89/month

Basic: $189/month

Plus: $369/month

Premium: $569/month

Enterprise: custom pricing for companies with more than 1000 users

Active plans (based on the number of active users) include:

Starter Active: $179/month

Basic Active: $399/month

Plus Active: $489/month

Premium Active: $649/month

Which Blackboard Alternative Caught Your Attention?

Blackboard LMS has withstood the test of time and, with its rich collaborative tools and accessibility features, is definitely a reliable platform for delivering online training. That said, the LMS market offers a plethora of options with engaging features and higher ease of use.

LearnWorlds stands out as the most feature-rich LMS that supports interactive, social learning experiences while offering in-depth reporting and robust assessments. Ηighly customizable and scalable, LearnWorlds is the platform that can support your training needs as your business grows.

Try LearnWorlds with a 30-day free trial now!

9000+ brands trust LearnWorlds to train their people, partners & customers.

Start a FREE Trial

Further reading

100+ Elearning Statistics, Facts and Trends

The 19 Best Learning Management Systems

SCORM 101: The Definitive Guide to Choose a SCORM Compliant LMS

What is an LMS (Learning Management System)?

Designing A Training Program: How to Boost Employee Performance With eLearning

7 Brilliant Ways to Use an LMS for Upskilling and Training

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