Canvas LMS Reviews

“Reliable Learning Hub but Weak Search Function

Pros

Canvas by Instructure did its main job really well which was to give students in the program one single, reliable platform to access all of their educational materials.

Cons

The search function in Canvas never gave me the results I was looking for. Some tasks also required inconvenient workarounds that felt unnecessary.

“Incredibly user-friendly for classes

Pros

The platform is incredibly user-friendly and keeps all my classes organized in one spot. Jumping between courses to turn in assignments or watch lectures is a smooth process too.

Cons

Submitting assignments through the app can be glitchy as sometimes the document just would not upload and I'd have to start the whole process over, which got annoying.

“Our main hub for learning

Pros

Our company relies on Canvas as the main hub for learning, using it to manage courses and make it easy to build in-house training and run blended learning sessions live.

Cons

The platform is not as customizable as some other options I have seen, though it is not a major problem for me since I do not use it very often.

“simple to manage for students

Pros

This LMS is simple to manage and the course layout is simple for students to navigate. They can move between modules without trouble, check due dates and look over their assignments. The sync with our SIS, PowerSchool, works well with few glitches and the support team is helpful when we have an issue.

Cons

Setting up the grade passback feature to sync with our LMS involves too many steps for teachers. Plus it would be much better if this could be pushed out globally in a simpler way.

“Great for seeing class scores

Pros

We could see how our exam or assignment score compared to the rest of the class. There was also a What if feature to calculate the grades you'd need on future work to achieve a specific final grade.

Cons

It was frustrating when the system would mark placeholder assignments that did not even carry any credit as late just because nothing was submitted by a certain date.

“clean and adaptable look

Pros

My favorite thing about Canvas is its clean, uncluttered look combined with how adaptable the software is when you are using it.

Cons

The reporting tools are too complex and difficult to understand especially for someone who is new to the platform.

“Improves live online teaching

Pros

The platform improves live online teaching and learning by bringing a wide range of management tools together into one central location.

Cons

There are not any major issues that I have run into while using it and I use it regularly in my current role.

“Great for calendar and assignments

Pros

Canvas is really effective for managing a calendar, viewing assignments from all our classes in one place and organizing groups for collaborative work. The feature for messaging both classmates and professors is also a great tool.

Cons

The mobile app does not always function correctly. Sometimes it does not show new classes I am enrolled in and I have had problems with the messaging feature where I could not select a recipient.

“excellent for tracking my work

Pros

This product was excellent for keeping track of assignments, knowing what was due and confirming what I had already submitted. I used it daily for many years.

Cons

Getting text reminders for assignments due within 24 hours would have been a huge help. I'd often remember things were due on the actual day.

“More user-friendly for everyone

Pros

The platform feels much more user-friendly. It seems more accessible for people who are not very tech-savvy or have not had much training.

Cons

People with basic tech skills like me can use it for both work and personal projects. It would be even better if we had more images and easier ways to edit them.

“easy to move things and edit

Pros

I really like how easy it is to move things around and make edits. The huge selection of printable products has been a major help, the template library has grown a lot and the price is fairly reasonable. Plus I even used it to design my wedding thank-you cards.

Cons

There is a very large premium section now which can feel a bit overwhelming. Most of the templates, graphics and special editing features used to be free but now you mostly have to pay for them. While there are good free trial options and you can still work with free materials, it has made the platform less accessible.

“More creative options for us

Pros

There are more creative options available which helps us put together good promotions and invitations. I especially like the feature for adding pictures.

Cons

The pricing does not seem right to me. The download process is also very difficult a lot of the time. That is really my only complaint.

“simple to connect with instructors

Pros

Connecting with instructors is a pretty simple process. The layout is also designed to make everything easy to find and navigate.

Cons

Well the program sometimes freezes or restarts by itself. It is really frustrating when that happens in the middle of working on something.

“amazingly simple for everyone

Pros

It is amazing how simple it is to use, whether you are a student taking a course or an instructor leading one. The features are really great.

Cons

Having widgets for a computer or phone would be a great addition to the app. As it would make staying on top of everything much simpler.

“simple to Use but Messy Messaging setup

Pros

The platform is user-friendly right from the start and I also like the deeper customization options available as you get more familiar with it.

Cons

It is confusing that messages from instructors and general announcements are kept in two different places which makes it harder for us to follow important updates.

“easy to navigate but hard password reset

Pros

Once everything is set up, navigating it is not a problem. The built-in tech features are impressive too like being able to pause videos to ask students questions.

Cons

Resetting a password is way too difficult and the support tickets are not helpful. Since I am taking a workshop offered by a university I do not attend, I now have to contact their IT department just to recover my login.

“simple to build modules

Pros

It offers a simple way to build modules and structure content so it is easy for students to follow and understand.

Cons

Our institution is still waiting for the New Quizzes feature. It is hard to wait for something new for this long but I am eager to see the recent improvements.

“Much simpler to use now

Pros

Over time using it has become much simpler. Navigating and uploading finished work is now a very easy process for me too.

Cons

There are not really any major drawbacks. Whenever a data fix is needed, the team usually resolves any bugs or other issues we are having.

“clear and easy to use

Pros

The platform's functionality is clear and it is very easy to use. Recent updates have also made the mobile homepage much more user-friendly.

Cons

My biggest issue is that it still does not work perfectly with all internet connections, though that might just be because my computer needs updating.

“Very versatile and easy

Pros

Canvas LMS is very versatile and it was easy to find my way around. During my classes, moving between different courses and assignments was easy.

Cons

There is very little to dislike about the app. The only minor downsides I noticed are the frequent software updates and the occasional internet connectivity dropouts.