Canvas LMS vs Moodle: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Canvas LMS and Moodle side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Moodle leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Canvas LMS
Modern learning management system for education
Best for you if:
- • You want modern interface
Moodle
Open source learning management system
Best for you if:
- • You want free and open source
| At a Glance | Canvas LMS | |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan | Free plan, paid from $160/year MoodleCloud Starter plan |
Category | Education & Learning LMS | Online Course Platforms LMS |
Rating | 3.7/5 G2 4.5 · Trustpilot 1.9 1,861 reviews | 4.1/5 Capterra 4.3 · G2 4.1 · SourceForge 3.6 3,841 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | n/a |
Watch out for | Institutional pricing requires direct contact, no public rates. | Custom domain is an add-on for Medium tier |
Choose Canvas LMS or Moodle?
Choose Canvas LMS if
- You want modern interface
- You want great mobile experience
- You work in education & learning, not online course platforms
Choose Moodle if
- You want free and open source
- You want highly customizable
- You work in online course platforms, not education & learning
In-Depth Analysis
Canvas LMS
Modern learning management system for education
Canvas offers a very generous free tier for individual teachers, making it highly accessible.
Watch out
Institutional pricing requires direct contact, no public rates.
Strengths
- Pro: Modern interface
- Pro: Great mobile experience
- Pro: Strong K12 and higher ed features
- Pro: Free for teachers
Weaknesses
- Con: Can be complex
- Con: Admin setup required
- Con: Some features paywalled
Key features
Moodle
Open source learning management system
Moodle's pricing is incredibly generous, offering a full-featured open-source option for free.
Watch out
Custom domain is an add-on for Medium tier
Strengths
- Pro: Free and open source
- Pro: Highly customizable
- Pro: Large community
- Pro: Self-hosted option
Weaknesses
- Con: Dated interface
- Con: Requires technical setup
- Con: Resource intensive
Key features
Plans and prices: Canvas LMS vs Moodle
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Canvas LMS |
| instructure.com/canvas read Oct 8, 2026 |
| Moodle |
| moodle.com/pricing read Oct 4, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Canvas LMS pricing and Moodle pricing.
Key Takeaways
Canvas LMS
- Choose if you want modern learning management system for education
Moodle
- Higher user rating: 4.1/5 vs 3.7/5
What the data shows
On the data below, Moodle leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- Moodle has the higher user rating (3.7/5 from 1,861 reviews for Canvas LMS, 4.1/5 from 3,841 reviews for Moodle).
- Moodle starts at $160/year; Canvas LMS has no public paid plan price on file.
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Canvas LMS and Moodle compare in 2026?
On the data below, Moodle leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. Moodle has the higher user rating (3.7/5 from 1,861 reviews for Canvas LMS, 4.1/5 from 3,841 reviews for Moodle). Moodle starts at $160/year; Canvas LMS has no public paid plan price on file. Both have a free plan.
What are Canvas LMS and Moodle used for?
Canvas LMS: Modern learning management system for education. Moodle: Open source learning management system.
What does Canvas LMS cost vs Moodle?
Canvas LMS has no public paid-plan price on file. Moodle's cheapest paid plan is MoodleCloud Starter at $160/year. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 8, 2026.
What's the main difference between Canvas LMS and Moodle?
Canvas LMS's main strength: modern interface. Moodle's main strength: free and open source.